Fishing in the snow

[GrumpyOldCrappie]

Do the fish bite more or less during a snow storm?

I'm thinking about going this afternoon but not sure if it's worth the drive time/hassel of setting up the portable etc.

Thanks for your input.

[Jethro80]

I've had mixed results. You won't know till you get out there. I know I will

[Sonicrunch]

It sure is pretty fishing when there are flurries.

[slurpie]

ill be out this afternoon gotta get some work done in my shop then see ya later. I've had some of my best fishing when its snowing out. might be quicidence but makes it hard for people to follow you also. thats a plus

[south_metro_fish]

I personally have had very good luck during snow storms. One day during a really hard snow storm earlier this year, I couldn't keep my line down for longer then a couple of minuets with out getting a bite all day long. I think it depends on other factors too like what the food is doing or where the moon is, and the season. I have had times when it has been snowing and the bite is there but its not as aggressive, but most times it seems to pick up. Last Saturday evening after the snow storm my friend went out, and I am sure the pressure was rising and the lunar cycle wasn't at a peek but the minnows were active and running. He couldn't keep a line down with out getting a crappie and the fish that came up had multiple minnows in their mouths. I sure wish I had been out there that night. But yes I have seen a increase in feeding during snow storms and feel it is worth going out. Any time out on the ice is fun.

[bturck]

I've had some great trips just before or as the snow is falling. I don't believe its the snow as much as the barometer change. I've had the same thing occurr while hunting as well. Go out and have a great time, pretty soon it will be 95 degrees and we'll be praying for a cool down and some pretty winter scenery.

[Sandmannd]

I've had mixed results as well. Sometimes good, somtimes not so good. Worth it if you got the chance to get out through.

[redbandit]

Mixed results as well. It is cool being out their while it's snowing. Adds a little to the adventure of it all.

[Joe15]

Ya I like fishing more when it's snowing but the fishing isn't always better or worse.

[FishinChad]

My best day of ice fishing was during the biggest snowfall of the year a few years back, walleyes went nuts, pike were biting, and crappies topped it off, was a great day!

[hamrej23]

I went once this year during a storm and only got one bite. The week before it was on fire.

[Eckie]

Odds are in your favor that you won't have as much/any company around you. If nothing else, I'd be going for the solitude, the serenity and the scenery...

(that's got to be my cheesiest line ever

[Bluegill1510]

All you can do is try it and take notes and match patterns when you have other outings. I've had great crappie fishing right before and during a snowstorm, and last year I had a great walleye bite the night before a snowstorm came through the next day. If I had a truck I'd be going out today.

[s2h]

I have not had the best of luck in the snow. But love going when it is. There is always that chance that you cant get off the ice until morning and have to stay fishing all night long.

[Farley]

Just got in from the snow and the sunnies were smokin the pink and white Ratso 5 feet under the ice for most of the aftenoon. Got out just before the snow started flying and the fish were going nuts for a few hours there but didnt catch a fish over 8", went through a ton of waxies.

I remember once when I was young a buddy and myself were out in a paddleboaton a small lake by brainerd , there were tornado warnings and thunderheads everywhere. We filled the back of the paddleboat with 30 crappies that day.

[B-man715]

THEY'RE BITIN' RIGHT NOW!!!! I ran out to Deer lake for a couple hours and took home 15. This picture isn't even an hour old

[Marbleye'd]

I was out and had decent luck...but moving from hole to hole was a must and hard to do with snow and wind blowing your portable around. I ended up going back an forth to the hole to the heater to the another hole to the heater....it worked.

[Jethro80]

Well my day didn't turn out so good.

Started to catch some crappies then the flasher went blank for awhile so I decided to move.

During the time I was tearing down the shack, the bottom pole on my yukon bent in half from the wind and lets just say I went for a 50 yard ride. The thing acted just like a wind sock. After that event I decided to call it a day.

I just hope I can get a replacement before the end of the season. I DO NOT WANT TO GO BACK TO THE SUITCASE!

[Marbleye'd]

Well my day didn't turn out so good.

Started to catch some crappies then the flasher went blank for awhile so I decided to move.

During the time I was tearing down the shack, the bottom pole on my yukon bent in half from the wind and lets just say I went for a 50 yard ride. The thing acted just like a wind sock. After that event I decided to call it a day.

I just hope I can get a replacement before the end of the season. I DO NOT WANT TO GO BACK TO THE SUITCASE!

I had mine flip open once but I was in it, so it didn't go anywhere but scared the H3LL out of me! I then put the poles in to keep it from folding again. That sux when your stuff gets bent or broke.

[FrontenacPike]

I was out this afternoon from 1-4:30 in the middle of the blizzard. There was even lightning and loud thunder and I hammered the eyes. 18 total, nothing big but alot of fun. In my own opinion the fish don't know that it's snowing, however if the pressure is high, i find that the fish aren't feeding. I usually won't go out if the barometer is above 30.

[WyoChris]

well there obviously won't be any sun which means low light conditions. Low light conditions means the eyes might be biting.

[Bottle Fish]

B-man that is a great pic. How do you like the blue Ice Armor? I've been thinking of getting a pair myself.

[TravP]

B-man that is a great pic. How do you like the blue Ice Armor? I've been thinking of getting a pair myself.

I got the blue ice armor a few weeks ago and Its great. Some people feel its to cold but on a zero degree day all I where is a sweatshirt and jeans and I'm fine. A plus with the blue suit is it will make a great spring and fall rain suit in the boat too.

[south_metro_fish]

I was out tonight and plowed through the snow in my Buick Century and had some luck with the crappies. I cant wait for my friend to get back from Iowa so we can use his larger portable and lager holes. I went out with my little pack shack and hand auger. I had it packed down good but there sure isn't as much room and the wind wasn't very nice. It popped a rivet on one of the supports, but oh well. Any way I made due with what I had and had pretty constant, good bite. I could definitely tell a difference from a steady pressure day. It was a good night out on the lake all in all.

I forgot to add that they seemed to be chasing large schools of minnows. I was marking a lot of fish on my finder so I wonder if I was marking the minnow schools and crappies chasing them. When I got them up they were spitting up pretty small wild minnows.

[B-man715]

B-man that is a great pic. How do you like the blue Ice Armor? I've been thinking of getting a pair myself.

Glad you like the pic I like the Blue Ice Armor. It is made for the active fisherman, as it is not insulated. It is great for fishing outside most days, but if you like to sit on a bucket when it is -10 buy something that is insulated. (I prefer sitting in a shack when it is nasty anyways). It also doubles as a nice windproof riding suit for ATV and sled. If I somehow ever lost it I would buy again!!

(padded seat and knees are an awesome feature)

(I also bought the fleece windproof jacket that can zip into the blue jacket. Half the time I wear just the fleece jacket under my bib straps, and add then blue coat when it is cold or if I am riding.)