How to Find Trout in Winter: A Guide to Cold-Weather Success

A gorgeous trout in the net is one of the best ways to take the chill off on a winter day.

When winter’s chill descends, many anglers put their fly-fishing gear away and focus on fly tying or some other hobby until the first warm spell of spring or Opening Day rolls around. But wherever regulations and open water allow, you can catch trout throughout colder months, and if you’re willing to be outside to ski or snowshoe, why wouldn’t you also fish?

That said, trout fishing in winter does require a significant shift in strategy, and the first step is understanding where trout hold. The key lies in recognizing how trout behavior changes with dropping temperatures and adapting your approach accordingly.

During winter, trout become increasingly energy-conscious as their metabolism slows dramatically. This fundamental change drives them to seek specific types of water that offer both protection and feeding opportunities while demanding minimal energy expenditure. The ideal winter holding water shares several crucial characteristics: depth, slower current, and proximity to food-delivery systems.

Here’s a spot that features both a deep hole (1), where trout will stack up in winter, as well as an inside bend (2), where you might find trout holding in a bucket or behind an in-stream boulder.

Run Silent, Run Deep

Deep, slow pools—particularly those in the center of the river—are prime winter real estate for trout. These pools serve as winter sanctuaries, where fish often gather in concentrated groups or “pods.” The ideal winter pool has several distinct characteristics: dark blue or green water color that indicates depth, current speed noticeably slower than walking pace, and a smooth, almost featureless surface. Most importantly, you want to find pools with a consistent current speed across their entire width; avoid areas that show boils, eddy lines, or turbulent mixing zones, as winter trout typically shun these energy-demanding features. The sweet spot is often found just below riffles, where trout can stack up and wait for food to drift through while expending minimal energy.

These deeper pools act as natural feeding lanes, allowing trout to intercept food particles washing downstream while maintaining their position in slower water. The combination of depth and reduced current speed creates a stable environment in which fish can maintain their position easily. When you locate such a pool, take the time to fish it thoroughly and methodically because if you find one fish willing to eat, there’s a good chance there are more in the same area, as winter trout often cluster together in these optimal holding areas.

The softer water along a bank with lots of current-breaking rocks and protrusions offers trout a comfortable place to hold with easy access to the main current.

Edges and Structure

Bank edges offer some of the most consistent opportunities for winter trout fishing, since the current against the banks is usually slower than the main current. The most productive bank areas typically feature what biologists call “IFD” (instream woody debris)—fallen trees, branches, and root wads that create complex underwater structure. These natural or manmade features serve multiple purposes: they break up the current, creating protected pockets where trout can rest; they offer overhead cover that makes trout feel secure; and they often collect food particles in their many nooks and crannies.

Boulder gardens along banks are equally valuable, as the rocks create a maze of current breaks and protected lies. The most productive bank areas feature a stronger current seam running parallel to the slower water where the trout hold. This setup allows fish to remain in the calm water while darting out briefly to intercept food drifting by in the faster current. Pay particular attention to banks that feature deep undercuts, as these provide both overhead cover and protection from winter predators.

When you approach these bank areas, move slowly and deliberately, since winter trout in shallow, clear water can be especially spooky. Start by fishing the outermost edges of bank structure before moving in closer, as larger trout often hold slightly off the bank where they have better access to drifting food.

This rainbow fell for a nymph fished below a drop-off on a sunny day in early March. The Deerfield River in western Massachusetts is a tailwater that fishes well all winter.

River Features to Look For

Other river features can also concentrate winter trout. Crossovers—where the main current shifts from one bank to the other—create particularly productive lies. On the downstream side of these crossovers, look for soft spots where the current slows down. These areas often form deep holes as the river’s hydraulics scour out the riverbed. These spots combine two critical elements: reduced current speed and proximity to the main flow. Inside bends, especially those featuring additional structure, can also be productive. While the water might appear too shallow at first glance, the river’s natural hydraulics deposit gravel and create deeper buckets.

Spring-fed areas are magnets for winter trout because groundwater-fed spots maintain more stable temperatures than the main river flow, often running a few crucial degrees warmer during the coldest months. This temperature difference creates microhabitats that attract both trout and the aquatic insects they feed on. Look for subtle signs of springs, such as clear patches in iced-over sections, areas where snow melts faster along the banks, or sections where you can spot water mixing with the main river flow.

These features become even more productive when they occur in combination. When you find multiple features overlapping in a single location, you’ve likely a productive spot. For example, an inside bend that also contains a spring seep creates a particularly attractive habitat. The bend provides the basic structure and slower current that winter trout seek, while the spring influence maintains slightly warmer water temperatures that can stimulate both insect and fish activity. These spots often remain productive throughout the winter season, as they provide all the essential elements trout need to survive and thrive during cold weather conditions.

Here’s a spot that combines two features: the current crosses over from the right bank to the left (dotted line), creating a soft spot downstream that also happens to be part of a deep hole.

Follow the Sun

During sunny winter days, trout may briefly shift their positions. Even in the coldest months, increased light penetration can trigger more insect activity, especially midges. This enhanced bug activity may draw trout into slightly faster water than they typically hold. When you find a promising feature that’s receiving direct sunlight, spend extra time working it thoroughly, as these spots often hold the most actively feeding fish during winter days.

Remember that winter fishing demands special consideration for trout health. These fish are often recovering from fall spawning and dealing with reduced feeding opportunities. When you hook a trout, land it quickly and revive it well. During freezing conditions, keep the fish in the water while removing the hook to protect their sensitive gills and eyes from cold-air damage.

By focusing your efforts on these high-percentage winter holding areas and approaching them with appropriate techniques, you can enjoy productive fishing even during the coldest months. The reduced crowds and peaceful winter settings can make this challenging season one of the most rewarding times to be on the water.

Phil Monahan is the Editor-in-Chief of MidCurrent. A former fly-fishing guide and magazine editor, he lives in southwestern Vermont, just minutes from the famed Battenkill.

Structure, such as this fallen tree, both breaks the current and provides habitat for the baitfish and nymphs that trout feed on, which is why you’ll often find trout in the slow water just downstream.