December can be a tough time for fishing. In most areas, the ice is not nearly thick enough for safe ice fishing yet, but the patterns that produced fish in fall may no longer be effective either. One option is to just stay home with a hot cup of coffee and the latest issue of your favorite fishing magazine and wait for spring. But if you really want to hit the water, you do have options for fishing in December.
For starters, let’s talk about safety. Winter may not be here in full force yet, but December can still get mighty cold, and winter weather can blow up out of nowhere. Always be prepared for the worst, and carry things like extra water, fuel, a cell phone and cash just in case, and always let somebody know where you’re going to be. Also, unless you live in an exceptionally cold climate, ice fishing is not yet an option, so don’t wander out onto the ice unless you are absolutely sure it’s thick enough, and don’t go ice fishing by yourself.
Alright, let’s get down to business. December fishing can be tough, but one fish species you may still be able to catch is the walleye. If you have a river nearby where you usually catch walleye in spring or fall, chances are you can still find them in December. Walleye will often be near bottom in the deepest river pools available at this time of year, and you may need to slow down your presentation to catch them. Biodegradable softbaits that imitate minnows and leaches can often tempt walleyes, and live minnows work as well.
Late-season trout, salmon and steelhead are also available, especially if you have access to the Great Lakes and their tributaries. Fishing these waters can be dangerous at this time of year, as precipitation can cause water levels to rise rapidly, so it would be wise to hire a guide if you’re unfamiliar with the territory. Smaller streams can be productive for trout in December; live bait is often productive, and fly patterns vary by region. Nymphs and spawn bags can still tempt steel head at this time, and you might also want to try spoons, spinners and minnows in harbors and river mouths.
If bass fishing is more your speed, you might have a rough time of it in December. Depending on where you live, you might be able to still take your boat out on your local lake, though you might be clearing ice off your line after every cast. In cold water, bass tend to group tightly together in deep water where they feed on bait fish. Deep spots near a creek mouth or channel are good places to start, and jigging spoons are often the bait of choice. If ice makes lake access impossible, you can still turn to river small mouths. Small mouth bass in rivers look for areas with the least amount of current in winter, such as where a river widens and flattens out. Hair jigs can catch fish, but you’ll need to fish slowly.
There you have it. If you plan to go fishing in December, try to pick a warm, sunny day. Sunlight and unseasonably warm temperatures can make fish more active than they typically are at this time of year. Be sure to dress warm and bring along a thermos full of your favorite warm beverage – you’ll be glad to have it.