How Barometric Pressure Influences Winter Fishing

January 23, 2023 Monica Devlin Comments

While many of us imagine fishing on hot and lazy summer days, plenty of people head to the nearest fishing spot for a wintertime catch. Are you looking to take your game to the next level? Put down your lures and pull out the barometric pressure gauge! Learning how barometric pressure influences fish behavior can give you an edge over all other anglers on the lake.

The Kestrel DROP D3 data logger makes it easy to monitor barometric pressure and other environmental conditions that can help you predict the best time to go fishing. It’s compact, durable, and waterproof. Toss it in your bag and you’ll have accurate weather information for your location available at all times.

Knowing which conditions bring in bigger catches can help you plan and execute a successful fishing trip every time. Keep reading to learn what factors are at play when it comes to cold weather fishing and understanding how barometric pressure affects winter catches so that you’ll be prepared for any situation.

Winter Fishing Quick Tips

Fish tend to group together during the winter months.
The activity level of fish decreases in the winter.
It is important to pick the right fishing spot regardless of what kind of fish you are trying to catch.
Optimal weather conditions are when the sky is clear and sunny and before a cold weather front has passed.
The best time to ice fish is during low barometric pressure.

What is Barometric Pressure?

Barometric pressure, also known as atmospheric pressure, is essentially the "weight" of the air. It's typically expressed in millibars (MB) or millimeters of mercury (Hg). Normal pressure at sea level is 1013.3 millibars or 29.92 inches of mercury. Rising barometric pressure commonly means that weather is improving while falling barometric pressure can mean that inclement weather is on the way.

In the winter, barometric pressure is often higher than the summer since cold air is denser than warm air. But what does this mean in terms of wintertime fishing?

Track the barometric pressure with your D3 and easily view the conditions on your phone with the Kestrel LiNK App

Barometric Pressure and Fish Feeding Patterns

When barometric pressure is above 30.50, you might want to consider hanging up your fishing pool and waiting for more ideal fishing conditions---and here's why.

During the winter, fish metabolism slows to a crawl. In addition, the high barometric pressure makes the desire for fish to nibble on bait much lower since their desire to eat is at rock bottom during these conditions.

Combine high barometric pressure with single-digit temperatures, overcast skies, and snow---and you're looking at little-to-no fish feeding activity.

With a stroke of luck and the right bait, you might be able to pull up a fish from the frigid waters but don't be surprised or frustrated of your lack of progress.

Preparing for the Best Fishing Weather with Kestrel DROP Data Loggers

When there are breaks in the weather and double-digit temperatures, you can have a wonderful fishing experience even in the middle of the winter months. Tracking the weather in terms of temperature and impending precipitation can increase your odds of landing your best catch yet. The very best time to go fishing is when the barometric pressure is in the process of changing because the fish will be active and ready to feed. Now that you’ve been schooled on barometric pressure, bring a DROP D3 along with you on your next fishing trip for a successful day on the water.

With a Kestrel DROP D3, you'll get real-time weather data right at your fingertips. It'll help you judge whether your fishing efforts are worthwhile during winter weather, or if you are better served to wait for more ideal conditions.

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Monica Devlin