Winter fishing and stream temps

[moosekid]

Hey guys,

Wondering what your opinions are on stream temps and winter fishing? Assuming you can tough out the cold air--is there a point when the water is so cold that you won't bother wetting a line?? I know there are temperature ranges in which fish are more active than others, but assuming you find the temps well below that mark--what do you do??

I'm heading back to MN for a few weeks and I'm wondering if it's worth it to plan a fly fishing trip. I'm already going to ice fish/snowmobile/x-country ski on Lake of the Woods (northern-most point in the lower 48). I would really like to hit up the driftless region for some trout as well, but I dunno if I can handle getting skunked when I'm all by myself and its -20 degrees out.

Northern Minnesota colder than Mars this week - Minnesota Brown

Thanks

 

[Rusty Spinner]

Water temps won't drop below what they are which is about 32 degrees. So long as you have open, moving water, you can fish year round. Of course the trout are not nearly as active feeding wise in colder water, but you can fish for them if the river is not iced over. Best days in winter are when the sun pops out and the air temps warm as that seems to get the midges hatching and warms the water a degree or so. But too warm a day can add a lot of snow melt which can actually drop water temps. As always, a stream thermometer tells the story.

 

[FIN-ITE 34]

Mkid, here is something that might convince you to bring along your flyrod. Paul A. Smith - Driftless Area lures fishermen for true signs of spring
It appears that most, if not all of the waters of the Driftless are spring creeks and that should help with the water temps. Just be sure to check on the trout regs. for the state you are going to fish to be sure the season is open.

 

[Rusty Spinner]

Good point, FIN-NITE 34. The Driftless region is loaded with limestone spring creeks which by default will have much warmer water temps even on the coldest days over freestone streams. And that also means better winter hatches which means feeding trout.

 

[Barleywine]

Like Fin-ite said, look into fishing the driftless area. I was there 7 years ago in the middle of August, and those streams were running cold from the limestone water. I vividly remember fishing Canfield creek which feeds the south branch of the Root river, and taking a stream temperature of 48 degrees. I fished it up to its source coming out of a cave. I'm guessing that the water coming out that cave is about 48 degrees right now as well. Small pheasant tail nymphs were the best fly in the driftless area at that time of year.

I know that MN has catch and release trout fishing in the winter, but that may be location specific.

 

[moosekid]

Like Fin-ite said, look into fishing the driftless area. I was there 7 years ago in the middle of August, and those streams were running cold from the limestone water. I vividly remember fishing Canfield creek which feeds the south branch of the Root river, and taking a stream temperature of 48 degrees. I fished it up to its source coming out of a cave. I'm guessing that the water coming out that cave is about 48 degrees right now as well. Small pheasant tail nymphs were the best fly in the driftless area at that time of year.

I know that MN has catch and release trout fishing in the winter, but that may be location specific.

AHAA! I know those rivers sooo well. My old avatar (the one with the epic mullet) was taken just outside of Farmville on the Root--very close to the confluence of the Root and Canfield Creek.

Canfield is open for the Winter Season, but i'm probably going to be on the Whitewater, maybe Beaver Creek--its one of those meandering meadow streams with nice bend pools. Similar to the one pictured in FIN-ITE's article.

Thanks for all the advice. I'm definitely gonna bring my gear. Probably gonna go to Jersey on Wednesday too!