Cold Fronts Are Making Fishing Slow

Not only has the cold weather slowed down traffic and kept many people indoors, it’s also made ice fishing very slow. January is always a difficult time for fishermen in because of the cold but also because of the many cold fronts that pass through the mid-west. A cold front is a high pressure system and high pressure equals slow fishing.


Fish react to high pressure by becoming sluggish and lethargic. Instead of feeding actively they lay on or near the bottom and pretty much just stay put. How can high pressure make the fish quit biting? High pressure affects the swim bladder in a fish which is a device that keeps them neutrally buoyant in the water. When high clear skies are here, slow down your jig. Go to the tiniest jig you own, and use the lightest spring bobber you can find. Fish can be caught in cold front situations but you need to work hard for them and scale things down.


Two fisherees are coming up: Blackhawk Lake, Highland/Cobb will be held on Jan 31st. The Avoca Fisheree in the village of Avoca is scheduled for Feb 14. More details to come.

Dan Bomkamp

Outdoor enthusiast & host of HOW'S FISHING

Author of 8 outdoor adventure novels.  Click here to view my books.