Winter fishing in the Midwest: what bites and where

What the fish do in winter

• Walleye: Cold. Slow jigs on deep structure.
• Northern pike: Cold. Slow baits near weed edges and drop-offs.
• Smallmouth bass: Cold. Slow presentations on deep rock.
• Yellow perch: Cold. Deep schools; small jigs or minnows.
• Crappie: Cold. Tight schools near deep brush and bridges.

1. Lake Erie (western basin), Ohio

At about 1,052,000 acres, Lake Erie (western basin) is a huge piece of water. It holds walleye, yellow perch, smallmouth bass and catfish. The deepest water is around 62 ft. On the 3-D map the bed has three point drop-offs and a wind-blown bank: good places to start.

Lake Erie (western basin) today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed

2. Lake Oahe, South Dakota

Lake Oahe covers 370,000 acres. Expect walleye, northern pike, smallmouth bass and catfish. It goes down to about 205 ft. Its bed shows two sheltered coves and two point drop-offs worth a first look.

Lake Oahe today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed

3. Lake Sakakawea, North Dakota

At some 307,000 acres, Lake Sakakawea is a huge piece of water. Expect walleye, northern pike, smallmouth bass and catfish. The deepest water is around 180 ft. On the 3-D map the bed has two sheltered coves and a wind-blown bank: good places to start.

Lake Sakakawea today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed

4. Lake St. Clair, Michigan

At some 275,000 acres, Lake St. Clair is a huge piece of water. The fish here are muskie, smallmouth bass, walleye and yellow perch. The deepest water is around 27 ft. On the 3-D map the bed has two point drop-offs and an upper arm: good places to start.

Lake St. Clair today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed

5. Lake Mille Lacs, Minnesota

At some 132,000 acres, Lake Mille Lacs is a huge piece of water. Walleye, smallmouth bass, muskie and yellow perch are the draw. At about 42 ft at its deepest, it warms quickly in spring. Its bed shows two point drop-offs and an upper arm worth a first look.

Lake Mille Lacs today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed

6. Lake Winnebago, Wisconsin

Lake Winnebago covers some 132,000 acres. It holds walleye, yellow perch, catfish and white bass. It goes down to about 21 ft. The lake bed gives you two point drop-offs and an upper arm to work.

Lake Winnebago today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed

7. Leech Lake, Minnesota

At 103,000 acres, Leech Lake is a huge piece of water. The fish here are walleye, muskie, northern pike and yellow perch. It goes down to about 156 ft. Its bed shows three steep ledges and a wind-blown bank worth a first look.

Leech Lake today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed

8. Devils Lake, North Dakota

At about 84,800 acres, Devils Lake is a huge piece of water. The fish here are walleye, yellow perch, northern pike and white bass.

Devils Lake today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed

9. Truman Lake, Missouri

At 55,600 acres, Truman Lake is a huge piece of water. It holds crappie, largemouth bass, catfish and white bass. The deepest water is around 80 ft. The lake bed gives you three point drop-offs and two sheltered coves to work.

Truman Lake today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed

10. Lake of the Ozarks, Missouri

Lake of the Ozarks spreads over 54,000 acres of water. Expect largemouth bass, crappie, catfish and white bass. It goes down to about 130 ft. On the 3-D map the bed has three point drop-offs and two sheltered coves: good places to start.

Lake of the Ozarks today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed

Reading the water

In winter the surface temperature tells you most of what you need: each LakeScope lake page shows today's reading, the wind and the best bite windows, so you can pick the lake and the hour before you leave home.

Ice safety

Clear new ice only; white ice is about half as strong. Check it yourself and follow your state agency.