Over the last three years, I have experienced a variety of fishing and weather conditions.  You may encounter ice free streams flowing through a snowy landscape.  I consider that to be a perfect setting.  Then again, it is not unusual to have an extreme cold snap that produces streams with edge ice, slush and sluggish fish or extended cold temperatures that makes "hard water" angling your only option.  Weather does dictate presentation, bait /lure selection and your fishing location.  Don't worry because you can catch fish no matter what the weather!

 

   

 

If you want to give it a try, here are a few planing considerations; invite friends to share the fun and the expenses, invest in overnight logding, bring several frozen, crockpot meals, and match your clothing and fishing equipment to conditions.  Don't expect to be running here and there at the end of your fishing day.  You will be spending more time at a lodging facility because of shorter days during the winter so make sure you select one that is comfortable and suits your needs.  The suggested crockpot meals you packed can be waiting for you when you get back to the room.  There is nothing like a hot shower, good meal and comfortable bed at the end of the day.

 

Another advantage of winter angling is the start time.  Although there is no absolute rules, I have found that the fish seem to bite better during the mid-day hours so you can eliminate the pre-dawn wake up call.  Slushy streams are created by lower overnight tempertures, but as the day warms the streams recover and the slush disappears.

 

As far as presentation and bait, winter water temperatures are cold and fish seem to prefer slow moving jigs tipped with a maggot or wax worm, minnows and single eggs and egg sacs.  I start fishing deep holes by slow rolling egg sacs tied with floater beads.  I like the stop and go presentation as the bait "bottom" bumps down through the hole.

 

When water temperatures allow the fish to be more active, I use a float for egg, egg sac, minnow and jig fishing.  I just love watching that float dip or disappear under the surface when I get a hit.

 

Of course, if open water on the streams is limited, you may be fishing along shelf ice or near small ice jams in the deeper holes.  You will need to adjust your presentation to float your bait under the ice to where the fish are holding.  Typically when the bait/float reaches the edge of the ice on a deep hole, the hit occurs so be ready.  Getting them out of the hole is another challenge so plan ahead by having an upstream location to land your fish.  Don't be surprise, if you catch serveral fish before the hole gets "fished out."

 

When below freezing temperature make ice fishing the only way to go, you can still catch plenty of Steelhead.  Yes, you will need some special equipment.  A short rod, ice drill or spud bar, something to skim the loose ice to keep your hole clear and a comfortable seat.  You can use the same baits as you do for open water, but most anglers use minnows or jigs and maggot fished under floats.  I have caught them on egg sacs too.  Not sure about single eggs.

 

Safe ice?  I have fished the Walnut Creek Basin, the Channel, lower Project holes, Manchester hole, and the lake at Trout Run after days of sub-freezing temperatures.  To be safe - drill a test hole, measure the ice thickness [3" clear ice is safe] and stay away from moving water or open water edges. 

 

 Finally, make sure you buy a 2008 fishing license and keep using your 2007 license until it expires.

 

 

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