Hot Winter Fishing
December 8, 2009
I know what you’re thinking, another story about some lake south of the border or at least in the southern zones of the USA. Lakes like Huites, Baccarac, Amistad and Falcon all come to mind. What this article is actually about is power plant discharge lakes. These lakes are found all over the US and come in all sizes and types. Most are on the small side but that doesn’t reflect on the fish or the action.
What these lakes have in common is the fish are always hungry. Since the lake temperature leans toward the high side, bass metabolism is high. I’ve interpreted this to mean the fish must be looking for something to eat most of the time which equates to higher than normal catch rates, especially during the winter. Just so you don’t load the boat and hit the road to your favorite power plant lake right after reading this, let me admit that these lakes have their quirks.
Like any other non-discharge lake, these lakes go through seasonal changes but usually at different times of the year. Summer is the one constant -- at this time of year the water temp is at the extreme. A temperature over 100 degrees is the norm and high 80’s is a bit on the cool side. If you have a choice don’t choose the summertime to explore a power plant lake. These lakes do not show their true colors in the summer and you may leave feeling they aren’t worth the effort.
This is why I’m encouraging you to take up this “hot” action during the winter. These lakes shine during non-summer seasons so let’s discuss the different presentations and equipment necessary to make a go of it on these lakes.
Winter Fishing = Spawn
Pre-spawn and spawn occur in late winter or when temps are in the high 50’s to low 60’s. This can begin as early as December and last all the way into March depending on the latitude of the lake. Let’s use temperature to show patterns – this is comparable on all lakes, no matter which lake you choose to fish. Like any lake, when the magic temp range is reached, the fish turn on. They start moving toward the bedding areas and will hit the usual pre-spawn/spawn lures; buzzbaits, spinnerbaits, cranks, ‘traps, topwater, Senkos and your favorite plastic will get their attention.
Now imagine you are totally surrounded by fog, throwing a buzzbait out in front of you. You’re not really sure where it hits. Most of these lakes have a lot of shallow structure so most of the time you can just keep casting -- the fish will tell you when to set the hook. There’s nothing more exciting than a 5+ lb bass exploding on your topwater or buzzbait sight unseen. Makes me want to load and go tomorrow!
If the fog lasts most of the day so will the topwater bite. I have won tournaments throwing a buzzbait and on the misses, follow up using a Senko. It doesn’t get any better than that. When the fog lifts, it’s time to sight fish. These bass can be very skittish so make long cast to likely spots and remember they have to eat regularly so be ready.
Look For Grass
Most discharge lakes have some kind of grass in them. In winter a grass bed is a magnet for bass which means it better be a magnet for you. All the same baits work here but a ‘trap bait shines. Match the hatch or throw a fire-tiger color and hold on for one the most vicious hits of your life. On my local power plant lake, I look for the greenest grass and if bait is present, I keep working it until I find what they will bite. It usually doesn’t take long and the action can be non stop until you use up all the fish in the school.
I’ve found color isn’t as important as being different; as in larger size or style of bait from what everyone else is throwing. Throw a Spook instead of a small popper, large lizard over a 4” worm, and my go bait, a Big Kahuna Kut Tail worm by Yamamoto besides a grub. I find grass an excellent place to throw a swimbait as well, like Yamamoto’s Swim Senko.
Spring to Fall
Late February through late April (depending on the locale) finds temperatures in the high 60’s to high 70’s which moves us into post- spawn, early summer patterns. There will still be some fish working the banks but that is time to be looking off shore and in deeper water. Discharge lakes will stratify which means that the thermal cline can be fairly shallow compared to regular lakes. Deep may only be 20 to 25 feet because the lack of oxygen at lower levels below the thermal cline makes fishing deeper than that unproductive. This is a great time to throw reaction baits. Jerkbaits, crankbaits and blades will all come into play now. Carolina rigs and big Texas rigged worms should also be part of the arsenal of baits on the deck of your boat. These bass are like wolves on a fresh kill now and the bite should be wide open.
Again, I recommend skipping the extreme temps of summer and instead look forward to the cooling down time in the fall. That first good cold snap where it gets down into the low 30’s and maybe high 20’s will bring those bass to the bank like an ice cream truck draws kids in the neighborhood. Water temp should start to fall back into the 80’s and the fun begins. 
If your lake has shad, the bait will start showing up around the bank and over the grass beds which will bring about major explosions from the bass targeting them. Be ready with a bait you can throw a mile and it just might reward you with the biggest bass of the year. Spooks and Sammys are my choices in the fall.
Fall can be very frustrating because the fish are on the move looking for a meal. Use this to your advantage and keep moving. If you don’t get a bite after 20 or 30 minutes, its time to move. Always remember, these fish eat regularly and they burn a lot of energy so they have to kill something fast.
When fishing these discharge lakes, remember that all your reaction baits (along with most plastics) have a place in the boat. I haven’t mentioned finesse style baits for a reason; it isn’t my strength and I am hard headed. I’ll keep trying to find something other than a finesse bait that a bass will eat!
I realize we’ve covered a wide spectrum of baits for these lakes and usually you can find a bait that both you and the bass enjoy. But where do you start and which bait do you use first? This is one of the better problems to have because mostly likely, whatever you choose, a bass will oblige you.
Now, get off the couch, load the boat, and go get them in the winter when everyone else is cutting firewood or washing windows for the wife. Stay “hot” this winter on some unique discharge lakes.