14 NEBRASKAland • NOVEMBER 2018
By Jeff Kurrus
Fish pack on weight in the fall to prepare for the winter
and the following spring spawn. At the same time, their
metabolism begins to slow as the water cools. This makes
November a great time to catch fat, beautiful fish.
Traditionally, fish begin moving closer to deeper water
where they'll spend the winter. Above them in the shallows,
the wind adds to the turbidity of the water,
which along with the lowering temperatures,
affects their activity.
Because of these factors, anglers should look
for fish by vertical jigging in or near deeper
water. "On a reservoir, vertical jigging with a
baitfish imitation is great because alewives and
other baitfish are becoming stressed because
of the lowering temperatures," said Daryl
Bauer, the Nebraska Game and Parks fisheries
outreach program manager. The raising and
lowering of jigs mimics the action of these
fish, while allowing anglers to leave it in the
face of the fish longer. Fishing slow –
unless the fish dictate otherwise – is the
key.
Another option for November is fishing for
coldwater species like trout.
"Our streams can be great in November
because the fish don't react as much to the cold," said Bauer.
Places like Lake Ogallala can be hotspots to catch fish with
traditional trout fishing gear, including spinners and flies.
This time of the year can be a true transition time for fish,
but it doesn't have to be for anglers. Whether you fish for
warm or coldwater species, start by looking for stable areas in
their environment. When you find those, you'll find fish.
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Options for November Anglers
PHOTO
COURTESY
OF
DARYL
BAUER
Daryl Bauer holds a channel catfish he caught during the fall at Merritt
Reservoir while vertical jigging.
