Weather Effects?

[roadkingclasic56]

Some of the bigger lakes are 2 hours from my home so when I think about fishing Upper Red or Winnie, it takes some planning. I hate to plan the drive and the day for fishing and then go on a day when the weather may shut down the fishing all together.
My question is this. Is it possible to watch the weather forecast, as fickle as it is, and use it to maximize the chances for a good catch on the ice? Is there a particular weather pattern that is better for a bite than another?
I realize there are some basics, like cold front conditions and so on, but what would be a good weather pattern to watch for before making a lengthy trip?

[Mankato-Ice-Man]

*bump*

I would like to know what your guys and gals opinions are on weather and fishing.

Effects of wind, barometer rising, barometer falling, approching snow, during snow, after snow, .... well, you get my point.

anyone have anything they think, feel, know about this weather subject???

[BLACKJACK]

Best time to fish is when you have the time Second best time in my opinion is when the storm front/low pressure area is approaching. Get a barometer and watch it or watch the weather maps via the internet or TV for when the big 'L' is approaching from the west. Several times I've sat out in a beginning snowstorm and iced crappies one after the other.

[Deitz Dittrich]

Here is an exerpt from an article I wrote on weather and its relationship to fish.. Its my theory and i'm sticking to it!(then again I have been wrong before!

***Denny Brauer says in his book, "Weather is the most important thing to consider when it comes to fishing." I can't argue that. However, I don't think minor weather changes directly affect fish as much as we think they do. Minor barometric pressure changes affect fishing in that they affect the lowest end of the food chain. When we are stuck in a high pressure system, the zoo plankton are less buoyant. Thus they stay on the bottom and are unavailable for minnows and other bait fish to feed easily on them. If the barometric pressure falls, the little creatures become more buoyant. They float up off the weeds and bottom making them easy prey for the minnow and other creatures. When this happens, game fish follow. Fish are opportunistic feeders. They feed when its easy, whether they are hungry or not. When the minnows and other bait are not easily available during high pressure times, you can still get them to feed, but they are not out looking for food because they know the food is not out. So, this means you have to go find them. Conversely, when the pressure is falling and everything is on the feed, you can throw just about anything in your tackle box and as long as it ran near the proper depth and is in an area with fish, it would catch fish. When the pressure is rising, this is the worst time. The fish have ended their feed and are now like you and I are shortly after our Thanksgiving feast-- not in any mood to eat, that is for sure. But, like I said, they will still eat. A major weather change is something different--especially if its a cold front. Fish are cold blooded, they have no way of regulating body temperature. When we are hot, we sweat. It's not that easy for them. They need to adjust, so you might have to work a little harder than normal, but you can still get them to bite. This isn's as important in the winter time, but good to keep in the back of your mind. I think my favorite quote of all is by Kevin Van Damm, he says "If it weren't for weather we would have nothing but ourselves to blame for a bad day fishing." ***

So, I would state that anytime to fish would be a good time... If you could plan your trip on a stable weather pattern or a falling barom, that would be my choice!

Gool luck!

[Guest]

Here is a simple mans way of looking at the weather. If we have stable weather you have better odds of getting on a bite. Changing Weather (pressure)can be great and it can be bad. If you are an average angler get out when you can. If you have to plan a trip and want to up your odds. Try to plan your trip while the weather is stable.

When you start talking about changing pressure and trying to time those "great" bites it gets pretty complicated and your window can be pretty short. So, again, if you want to up your odds, start with stable weather. Scott Steil

[Guest]

I FISHED LAST WEEK BEFORE THE STORM(I LIVE N ALBANY,NY.)AND THE FISH WERE ON FIRE LIKE I NEVER SEEN BEFORE!!!!!!,I ALSO HAD THE SAME LUCK LAST YR. TO FISH RIGHT BEFORE A STORM AND THE FISH WERE AGAIN ON FIRE,I HAVE PROOF THAT LOW PRESSURE BEFORE A STORM IS THE VERY BEST TIME TO ICEFISH,FISHING BEFORE AND DURING A STORM IS GREAT FISHING,I MEAN MAN ITS GREAT!!!!!!!!