Feed Fish During Winter Months

Are you wondering when to feed fish during winter months?  The most accurate source for answering that question is—the fish.

As water temps drop below 70, a fish’s cold-blooded body transitions to winter.  During summer months, they should consume a five-second-feeder spin in 10 minutes. By early November, that same amount may take 15 or 20 minutes.  Their darting, swirling flashes soon appear in slow motion.  Near Thanksgiving, you may notice leftover pellets on the surface when fish stop eating.  That’s your sign!  They may randomly nibble a few bites after successive, warm days, but it will be short-lived.  Let the feeder empty by early December.  Place leftover food in a sealed container so rodents don’t scavenge it over Winter.  Clear programmed feeding times on the timer to prevent 3-months wear and tear on the spinner while the feeder is empty. Keep the solar charger connected to batteries so they remain charged during the winter.  Resume feeding around March 15.  If your goal is growing big bluegill, program the feeder to spin 1-second at 2 p.m. On warm days, they’ll respond.

How are you going to fill the void of those memorable feeding periods? Contact friends and ask them to call when disposing of Christmas trees.  The most thoughtful thing you can do for your bluegill buddies is improve habitat.  When they resume spawning next Spring, fry will need protective cover to survive early predation and contribute new generations among the food chain.  Bundle and weight four to five trees.  Sink them near spawning beds, no deeper than 6-feet, so they remain covered when water levels drop during summer.  If you prefer artificial attractors for snag-free angling, we’re dealers for several great models.  Is your calendar busy as the holidays and New Year’s approach?  We’ll install them.