How weather extremes will impact fishing - now and later

BEATRICE, Neb. - From 80 degree weather, to a blizzard.

That’s spring in Nebraska. But these wild swings can impact the states fishing, as one day fish are active and feeding, the next, confused by a sharp drop in temperature. Daryl Bauer of Game and Parks Fisheries says, it’s a yearly occurrence.

“It doesn’t do you any good if you’re trying to catch fish,” Bauer said. “We go through this every year, we go from warm to sprig snow storm, and when that happens, the fishing success declines.”

Winter is often the hardest season of the year for much of the wildlife throughout the state, but Bauer says spring isn’t far behind, especially for fish, and this week is an example of why.

“We do see some natural mortality every winter and early spring,” Bauer said. “That’s just the way it is and a lot of that is become some of the extreme climate we have.”

For those wanting to scratch the itch, and drop a line, Bauer recommends fishing areas in the sun or those consisting of warmer water. Additionally, you may not want to change things up too much from ice fishing.

“Try to fish slow, more vertically and I always tell folks to save their wax worms,” Bauer said. “They’re a great bait for early spring for panfish, you’ll hook a bass, maybe even a catfish with them too."