what is the best fish to try to catch in December?

Question

FishGPT · Accepted Answer

**December target species: your best bets & how to chase them (late fall to early winter)

December bites can be tricky as water cools and days get shorter. But with the right targets and a few tweaks, you can still score solid bites. Here are the top bets and practical tactics that work in many regions this time of year:

**1) Walleye** — the cold-water workhorse
- *Why it shines in December:* Walleye stay active in cool water and often feed aggressively on thermocline or structure edges as the days shorten.
- *How to fish them:* jigging spoons or live minnows on deep shelves (15–40 ft, depending on your lake). Slow, steady lifts with a light twitch can trigger bites. Keep a second rod with a live bait rig or soft plastic as a follow-up.
- *Colors/gear:* natural or glow/NightCrawler colors; 1/8–1/4 oz jigs, plus a slow-rolling presentation.
- *Techniques & tips:* deadsticking plus occasional jigging, watch water column depth, and aim near structure such as drop-offs, humps, and weedlines that still hold fish in cold water.

**2) Trout (Lake Trout, Rainbow/Albino Trout in streams and lakes)**
- *Why it’s a solid December target:* Cold-water species hug deeper water or fast-moving currents where oxygen stays high.
- *How to fish them:* trolling spoons or flatfish at depths aligned with thermoclines; vertical jigging with tube jigs near deep structure; ice-season if you’re in solid winter regions.
- *Gear hints:* glow/chartreuse spoons, around 2–5 inches depending on the forage in your water.
- *Tips:* use a slow cadence and vary depth until you find the “feel.”

**3) Northern Pike**
- *Why it’s a December winner in many zones:* Even through cold snaps, pike stay aggressive around transition zones, weed edges, and channels.
- *How to fish them:* cast or slowly troll with larger spoons, spinnerbaits, or soft plastic swimbaits; cover weed edges and drop-offs where the water stays a bit warmer.
- *Tactics:* faster retrieves can work after a short pause, and keep lures up around 2–6 ft of depth near structure.

**4) If you’re in milder winter regions (think southern states or near the coast): Redfish, Seatrout, or Black Drum**
- *Why:* December can still feel like late fall to winter here, with active fish feeding prior to harsher cold spells.
- *Approach:* light-tackle flats or piers, jig and tease lures, and slow-sweeping retrieve with soft plastics or jigheads.

Weather notes for late fall into winter:
- Water temps dropping into the 40s or high 30s signal slower bites; fish stack on structure, channels, and deeper edges. Your success often hinges on fishing deeper, slower, and near current or thermoclines.
- Fronts matter: a passing cold front can depress bites for a day, then turnover can bring renewed activity. Target early morning or late afternoon windows after fronts pass.

Gear suggestions (quick picks):
- [TRUSCEND Easy Catch Swimmax – segmented swimbait](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07GP1DL4K?tag=tacklenet-20&linkCode=osi&th=1&psc=1)
- [Fishing Lures Multi Jointed Fish Kit – swimbaits & cranks](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09J4CR24K?tag=tacklenet-20&linkCode=osi&th=1&psc=1)
- [Rapala Bass Boom Box – curated bass lures](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DSJQV65C?tag=tacklenet-20&linkCode=osi&th=1&psc=1)
- [GOANDO Freshwater Lures Kit](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08DY9NGQV?tag=tacklenet-20&linkCode=osi&th=1&psc=1)
- [TRUSCEND Top Water Lures – floating for a quick pop](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08T1FKL9Z?tag=tacklenet-20&linkCode=osi&th=1&psc=1)
- [HALF CRESCEN Fishing Lures Kit – Xmas gift box](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DJ2MRZTT?tag=tacklenet-20&linkCode=osi&th=1&psc=1)

Inspiration & learning:
- See real-world retrieves and winter rigs in these videos:
  - [Summer fun fishing in baytown to Evergreen gulf course Catch and release](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HG0ONYR-BtM) 🐟
  - [Clownfish fishing](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ok6_eAMy4D0) 🐠
  - [EARL PARK FISHING! White mountainsAZ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-LKm0lfdbwU) ❄️

Bottom line: December is cold, but not silent. Pick solid cold-weather targets (walleye, trout, pike), adapt depth and tempo to your water, and keep a backup warm-water species in mind if you’re in a milder zone. Get out there, stay flexible, and enjoy the bite when it comes. You’ve got this—tight lines and sharp hooks! 🎣💪

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