Winter fishing in the West: what bites and where

What the fish do in winter

• Trout: Good range. Near the surface and along shorelines.
• Largemouth bass: Cold and sluggish. Fish slow and deep near steep banks.
• Smallmouth bass: Cold. Slow presentations on deep rock.
• Crappie: Cold. Tight schools near deep brush and bridges.
• Kokanee salmon: Near the surface in the cool water. Troll slowly.

1. Lake Powell, Utah

Lake Powell covers some 161,000 acres. It holds striped bass, smallmouth bass, largemouth bass and walleye. It goes down to about 583 ft.

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

2. Lake Mead, Nevada

At 158,000 acres of water, Lake Mead is a huge piece of water. Expect striped bass, largemouth bass, catfish and crappie. It goes down to about 532 ft. Its bed shows three point drop-offs and a wind-blown bank worth a first look.

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

3. Flathead Lake, Montana

Flathead Lake spreads over some 126,000 acres. Expect lake trout, yellow perch, northern pike and trout. The deepest water is around 371 ft. Its bed shows three point drop-offs and an upper arm worth a first look.

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

4. Lake Tahoe, California

At some 122,000 acres, Lake Tahoe is a huge piece of water. Lake trout, trout, kokanee salmon and smallmouth bass are the draw. At about 1645 ft deep, it stays cooler below the surface well into summer.

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

5. Lake Pend Oreille, Idaho

Lake Pend Oreille spreads over 93,900 acres. It holds trout, lake trout, kokanee salmon and northern pike. The deepest water is around 1152 ft. The lake bed gives you three point drop-offs and a sheltered cove to work.

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

6. Bear Lake, Utah

At 69,800 acres, Bear Lake is a huge piece of water. It holds trout and lake trout. At about 208 ft deep, it stays cooler below the surface well into summer. On the 3-D map the bed has three steep ledges and an upper arm: good places to start.

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

7. Clear Lake, California

Clear Lake spreads over some 43,500 acres. Expect largemouth bass, crappie, catfish and bluegill. The deepest water is around 60 ft.

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

8. Flaming Gorge Reservoir, Wyoming

At some 42,000 acres, Flaming Gorge Reservoir is a big lake. The fish here are lake trout, trout, kokanee salmon and smallmouth bass. It goes down to about 436 ft.

Flaming Gorge Reservoir today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed

9. Lake Chelan, Washington

At 33,300 acres of water, Lake Chelan is a big lake. Expect lake trout, kokanee salmon, trout and smallmouth bass. At about 1486 ft deep, it stays cooler below the surface well into summer. The lake bed gives you three point drop-offs and a steep ledge to work.

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

10. Coeur d'Alene Lake, Idaho

At 31,900 acres, Coeur d'Alene Lake is a big lake. Largemouth bass, northern pike, kokanee salmon and trout are the draw. At about 194 ft deep, it stays cooler below the surface well into summer. The lake bed gives you three point drop-offs and two sheltered coves to work.

Coeur d'Alene Lake today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed

Reading the water

Before a winter trip, look at three numbers on the lake page: the water temperature, the wind and the bite windows. Together they say where the fish are and when they feed.