Why let the winter slow you down? While fishing in the winter months can be a little bit more of a challenge for northern climates, even there the determined angler can find opportunities to get the line in the water. When you get the itch to fish, you don’t want to hear that winter makes it impossible.
This being said, there’s a lot of difference between being able to grab a charter in Tampa in December and finding out what the ice fishing rules and habits are in northern Minnesota. Each area is going to have its own fish, its own climate, and it’s own particular seasons.
So knowing this, how do you find the winter fishing reports that are going to help you figure out where the fishing action is still hot, even during the middle of winter? The good news is that there are more resources than ever to make sure the all season angler can get his fix.
Read on to learn about four of the best options you have for finding your seasonal weather reports.
1) The Department of Natural Resources (or Department of Fish & Wildlife)
The name might differ from state to state. Maybe it’s handled by the DNR, or maybe they go by the Department of Fish & Wildlife, but by whatever name they go under there’s always a state agency that handles every aspect of a state’s fishing and hunting laws.
They’re not just there to enforce rules but in many states their rarely visited .gov websites often contain outstanding information about local waters, seasons, links to other great resources, and some even keep up fishing reports on a monthly or even weekly basis.
In other words, they might be providing all the information you need only one mouse click away.
2) Local Captains / Fishing Charters
Who is going to know local waters better than the captains, charters, or guides who fish them? When you have a professional angler and guide who has fished those waters for years, you have someone who is going to be able to tell very quickly where all the good action is.
This is a great source for information, with plenty of detailed information about the local fishing conditions and the fluctuations occurring on a daily basis. Here is an example of a site for a fishing charter in Key West, FL, where the captain provides seasonal winter fishing reports.
3) Regional Fishing Websites
Regional fishing websites popped up early on in the life of the Internet, and they continue to do well. Often the sites might be ugly or simple, but they focus on specific regions where fishing is taking place, and when an angler is talking about fishing, you know it’s going to be a website backed by passion.
Many of these local sites will focus on recent trends, talk about where ice fishing is at its best (if applicable), and get updated with each change in the season. This is a great way to find out what’s going on from the boots on the ground.
4) Fishing Forums
This is another online option, but it isn’t one that should be overlooked. Fishing forums can often be geographically based, giving anglers a way to find out local information or even check out a vacation destination, so you know right where the winter fishing action is best. The best part? If there doesn’t seem to be a section for winter fishing reports, you can start a new topic and ask for some. It’s a great way to get back on the water.
In Conclusion
There are a lot of different places that offer seasonal fishing reports, and as with many other areas, it’s important to check out multiple sources of information to paint the most complete picture possible. If you do this chances are you’ll be smiling as you keep on reeling those fish in…even during the dead of winter!
