Why fishing in cold weather is awesome!
Barring the need for warm weather gear and a thermos full of your favorite hot beverage, fishing in cold weather doesn’t have to be uncomfortable — and in fact it has some definite benefits.
 BIGGER FISH – Some of the biggest spotted seatrout, bass and red drum are caught when the weather is the coldest.
FISH GATHER TOGETHER – Fish tend to be much more concentrated, and when you find them, fishing can be over-the-top good.
LESS CROWDED – You may have the water more or less to yourself. If you’re fishing on a lake, it’s likely there will be fewer boaters which means less wake and less noise.
WEATHER IS BEARABLE – The burning hot sun, mosquitoes and bugs are not an issue.
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Best places to fish in cold weather
Freshwater Spots
 Power plant lakes – These offer good fishing in colder weather months, especially for catfish and bass. Power generation warms the water and provides current, which makes the fish more active. Read more on power plant lake fishing in Texas Parks & Wildlife magazine.
Bass hotspots – Lake Fork (east of Dallas-Fort Worth and near Emory) is famous for largemouth bass, especially in February. The Colorado River, east of Austin, is also a great river fishery. Warmer winter days can produce good numbers of largemouth and Guadalupe bass.
Top trout fishing locations – The Canyon Tailrace on the Guadalupe River below Canyon Lake is well known for incredible river fishing. Neighborhood Fishin’ lakes are stocked every two weeks with rainbow trout. To find a stocked waterbody near you, visit the Rainbow Trout Stocking Map.
 New in 2019, Texas Parks & Wildlife magazine will launch a new series of articles highlighting the best fishing spots by season. Don't miss an issue.
Saltwater Spots
 Winter fishing along the coast can be epic! The wind is usually calmer and water clarity peaks, making sight fishing better. The Lower Laguna Madre is the place to go.
Brazos Santiago Pass – Located between the jetties, this is a deep-water area frequently overlooked in the winter. On calm days, you’ll find schools of reds and southern flounder within the channel.
The Flats – If you overlook the flats in the winter, you'll be missing out! Deep passes, like those between the causeways, hold fish all winter long. In fact, most any flat over three feet deep will hold fish unless the water becomes frigid.
Consider hiring a guide if you are unfamiliar with the area. Guides can make your trip more fun (and successful) as they’ll share techniques, show you the best places to fish, tell you about the local area species, and most importantly, make sure your trip is a safe one.
Best cold weather fish
 Spotted seatrout: They seek warmer water during cold snaps but move into the flats as water temperature rises. (Ditto for red drum. Plus, the spot and stalk strategy for chasing red drum is ideal for winter).
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 Catfish, especially trophy blues, reach enormous proportions and are especially popular from December to February. Lake Tawakoni, east of Dallas-Fort Worth, is a favorite place for blues.
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In cold water, fish have a slower metabolism and can be sluggish. But they still have to feed! To get them to bite, try downsizing or upsizing your lures, and leave your bait in place longer to give them time to react.
Don't Forget Your License
Pull on your winter woollies, grab your bait and gear and enjoy a great cold-weather fishing trip. But don't forget your fishing license! If you enjoy both fishing and hunting, the combo packages are your best value. Get your license online or at your favorite retailer.
You can get 1 day, all-water fishing access for as little as $11. But if you plan to fish more than 3 times this year, an annual license is the best bang for your buck! See all your fishing license options online.
And did you know 100% of fishing license fees go to conservation? So, even if you don't make it out as many times as you'd hoped, you're still supporting a great cause and helping preserve Texas fishing for future generations.Thank you!
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