Smallmouth Bass for the Seasons colder air and water
temperatures, ice and snow. In the smallmouth's world, winter's
extremes are muted, evened out by water's resistance to sudden
changes. Water temperatures decrease gradually to the 30s and
40s. Smallmouth seek the deepest areas of the pools with large
boulders and downed trees. They do not travel great distances
seeking a particular pool or hole to spend the winter, as some
anglers believe. We really don't understand why smallmouth use
those deep areas during winter, only that they do. Scientists
speculate water temperatures may be warmer near the bottom, or
that smallmouth feel safer and more comfortable as body activity
slows with the cooling water in these protected areas. If a pool
has a spring, smallmouth will congregate in the warmer flows.
Fishing Tip: Bass still feed through the winter, although not as
much or as vigorously. Natural bait, such as crayfish and
minnows, or jigs tipped with pork rind are favorites of winter
smallmouth anglers, but pres