Just because the weather is cold doesn’t mean the fish aren’t biting! Winter is prime time for catching stripers, trophy blue catfish and freshwater redfish from warm water lakes. Crappie bunch up in huge schools on deep water brush and although the bite is subtle, skilled anglers using sensitive rods and light line can catch their limit. Here is a list of my picks for lakes where I have enjoyed excellent winter fishing. Included with each lake is contact information for a guide that can put you in the action. 

LAKE FAIRFIELD REDFISH- Guide Cory Vinson (www.nofishnocharge.com) says redfish are on a very dependable bite. Cut bait near bottom in water 10-12 feet is producing most of the action.

LAKE TEXOMA- Guide Bill Carey (www.striperexpress.com) says stripers are biting well. Roadrunner Jigs or Sassy Shad fished slowly along submerged river and creek ledges are producing best.

LAKE TAWAKONI blue catfish are keeping angles smiling. Guide George Rule (www.trophycats.com) says fish over 20 pounds are becoming increasingly more commons as the temperature continues to drop. Big chunks of fresh cut bait on circle hooks is working best.

At CEDAR CREEK, guide Jason Barber (www.kingscreekadventures.com)  is using fresh shad near cormorant roost trees and enjoying good action on trophy class blue catfish.

At LAKE WHITNEY, guide Randy Routh (www.teamredneck.net) reports stripers have started driving big schools of shad into pockets and coves off the main lake and fishing has been excellent. Roadrunner jigs and soft plastic shad imitation baits on a half-ounce jig head are working best.

Jay Don Reeve with Crappie Anglers of Texas (www.crappieclub.com) says crappie are stacking up on deep structure and hitting live minnows well. He’s using a technique knows as “spider rigging” effectively at Cedar Creek. This technique employs the use of 8 or more rods, each baited with two minnows.

Listen to Outdoors With Luke Clayton Radio at www.catfishradio.com.  Contact Luke with fishing and hunting news at lukeclayton@prodigy.net.