Feb 28, 2026—-Cold water fishing in Midwest streams

About 2 weeks ago, I went to the river. The winter thaw had begun. I thought the snow melt would raise the water level. No such luck. I was crunching ice on the flat and casting onto ice on the deep side. Water temperature was 35. No bites that day.

Today I went back after several days of warm weather and waded in. Water temperature was 47. The super fluke produced both large and smallmouths. The big fish of the day would have been on a 5” grub had the fish not wrapped the line on a log. Bite was okay while the sun was out. When clouds showed up late the bite was off. With a few more casts for good measure, I trotted home to warm up.

Rain is forecast this week. It may bring current and even warmer water. But winter is not over. I’m expecting bites in sun warmed areas as water temperature rises, and lockjaw as it cools. Same as with cold fronts anytime of the year.