Winter Fishing Safety

While many fishers might relegate themselves to the warm seasons for their angling and trolling, plenty of others fish during the fall and winter, even as temperatures go below freezing. The winter can be a very peaceful time to fish, so long as you take the time to prepare yourself to deal with the cold and inclement weather conditions. That’s why the folks at Active Water Sports in Beaverton and Oregon City have created this guide to winter fishing safety, to help all you ambitious anglers keep warm and safe while snagging a delicious catch for the grill. 

Check The Weather

Before heading out with your boat in tow, you’ll want to check the forecast for the area you plan to fish in. Make sure that no strong storms or extremely cold temperatures are coming in, as these will make conditions too dangerous for a fishing excursion. Check in advance and on the day of your trip so you know what to expect.

Tell Someone Where You’ll Be

It helps to pick your destination in advance and alert someone to where you’ll be, whether that’s a family member, friend or neighbor. Tell them how long you’ll be gone and when you plan to be back and approximately where you’ll be. This way, if anything happens like a sudden storm, they can help guide rescue crews to your location to find you quickly and bring you to safety. 

It also helps to go with someone who can not only keep you company, but help you in case of an emergency. Fishing alone and isolated might be pleasant for some, but it leaves you extremely vulnerable if you become ill or injured or suffer a breakdown on your boat in the middle of the lake. 

Pack Your Gear

Stock your boat well with everything you’ll need on the water. Of course, this means the usual fishing gear like rods, bait, lures, livewells, coolers, depth finders, map and compass, emergency radio, an anchor and all the rest. But it also means having emergency supplies on hand. Bring sufficient water to keep you hydrated while you’re out, high-energy snacks like cheese, fruit, nuts, granola or even sandwiches to prevent hunger since you’ll burn more energy in the cold trying to keep your core body temperature up, and have your phone on you fully charged or even with a solar charger to make sure you can still get in touch with people if you need to. Flares or another emergency signal can also be handy to have on hand if your motor breaks down. Pack everything in a dry bag so it doesn’t get wet if it goes overboard.

Dress In Layers

Dress in layers to keep yourself as warm as possible in cold temperatures. Remember that the temperature on the water can be several degrees cooler than on shore and that if you get wet, you’ll suffer from hypothermia much faster than if you stay dry. Wear wool and synthetic clothes that will wick away moisture instead of cotton, which will soak it up. Pack extra gloves, socks and more sweaters or jackets to layer with just in case. Thermal underwear underneath everything is a good idea, as are boot liners and hand warmers. Wear an insulating hat and keep a scarf on hand to wrap around your face if necessary to keep out wind.

Winter fishing can be a pleasant way to enjoy a new side of nature while getting away from it all. The beauty and calm of a winter landscape makes for a great day of fishing relaxation so don’t let the cold stop you! If you’re in need of a great fishing boat, come down to one of our locations in Beaverton or Oregon City. Our talented staff can help you find the right boat for your fishing needs and answer any questions you might still have about winter fishing. Active Water Sports also proudly serves the greater Portland metro area as well as the cities of Salem and Eugene to the south.