How to Catch Carp When It Gets Really Cold: Winter Fishing Tactics

Winter can be one of the most rewarding times to be out on the bank chasing carp, but it can also be one of the hardest. Cold temperatures can impact the carp’s metabolism and their eagerness to feed, reducing the chances of them taking anglers’ baits. Follow the tips in this article to keep catching carp in the cold…

"Yes, you can still catch carp in the snow!"

The cold weather of winter is here. Icy mornings, scattered snowstorms and darker days will be the norm for a couple of months. But this doesn’t mean you need to hang up the rods and stop carp fishing. Fish can still be caught — you just need to be a little clever about it…

Be There for the Feeding Window

No matter how cold it gets, it is important to remember that carp will feed at some point during a 24-hour period. That feeding spell, however, could be a matter of minutes and may well occur at any time, day or night. A predictable winter bite time is often just as the light starts to fade in the late afternoon. These times can vary with temperature fluctuations and any extra heat caused by sunlight or wind, and will also vary from venue to venue.

With this in mind, winter carp fishing is a time to get yourself positioned comfortably on the fish and simply wait for them to make the next move. They likely won’t go far, even if you start catching them.

The Fish Will Be Seeking Sanctuary

The colder it gets, the more carp will gravitate towards certain areas of the lake, often in groups. Find one, and you may well find a lot!

Deep water with a silty bottom is a prime area to locate carp in winter, as they like burying themselves in the mud, a little like pigs. Another reliable option is snags, such as fallen trees and particularly dense reed beds. Here, fish can lie up very lethargically in complete safety. If the same reed bed receives direct sunlight, you may well find the fish stay in this area all winter during daylight hours, likely making a short migration to deeper water nearby during the hours of darkness.

Don’t Ignore the Thermoclines

On particularly deep lakes, you may find carp spend almost all their time off the bottom, sitting in the warmest layer of water. This makes them extremely vulnerable to Zig Rigs positioned in their view.

To get the best from zig fishing, you need to know the exact depth of the area you’re casting to and then experiment with the height of your zigs until you get a bite. It’s also worth playing around with hookbaits, as a change of colour or an additional topper in the form of wriggly maggots can make all the difference.

Don’t think you can only fish zigs in the daytime either. Some of the best carp in the country have been caught during the colder months on black foam zigs left out all night. The carp will find them!

Make Your Bait Digestible

Bait is a big consideration in cold water carp fishing and something anglers regularly get wrong. As a rule, always start cautiously, but don’t think that if the fish are having it, you can’t give them more. The key at this time of year is ensuring your bait is as easy for carp to digest as possible. Crumbed boilies, sweetcorn, maggots, worms and casters are all excellent choices.

Try to stay clear of items such as nuts, high-oil pellets and bulky particle mixes in winter. The fish may still eat some, but if you feed too much, you risk filling them up quickly.

Hookbait Attraction Is Vital

With fish more lethargic than ever, it has never been more important to make your hookbait really work for you. There are countless ways to do this. Many anglers opt for bright colours such as yellow, pink and orange during the colder months. You can enhance that visual appeal further with a ‘topper’ of maggots or worms, flossed to the top of your hookbait — a task made easier with our Tweakers Eyed Bait Screws. Don’t like handling live baits? You can create similar attraction with our artificial Bloodworm Tippers from the Revibed range.

"Creating a visually attractive hookbait is vital in cold water"

It isn’t all about visuals either. A hookbait that slowly pumps out attraction will get you more pick-ups than one straight out of the tub. Make the most of products like Nutty Sauce, as well as other dips and glugs. For something different, try plugging our Revibed Corn Caves or Bait Orbs with an attractive paste, or even meat and bread — all baits that can produce bonus bites out of nowhere.

A Reliable Pop-Up Rig

In late autumn and early winter, the bottom of most lakes is still littered with debris. Fish will still scavenge for food buried in the muck, but with reduced feeding periods, you need to make it easy for them to find your bait. This is where pop-ups really come into their own.

Pop-up rigs don’t get much better than the Spinner, but if you want to stand a little taller, try the Hinged Stiff Rig. Both can be adjusted to suit any lakebed and fished on helicopter or lead clip systems. Balance your rigs with Blend Putty so the pop-up falls slowly, sits above debris, and doesn’t waft around too freely when a big, half-asleep carp approaches.

Bear in mind that carp may not be moving quickly when feeding in cold water, which can impact rig efficiency. If you’re concerned about missed chances, try shortening your hooklink and using a heavier lead. To remove all doubt, our team’s favourite tweak is adding the Magic Wand. Don’t forget to regularly check your hook, and if it isn’t pin-sharp, touch it up or replace it.

"The Ronnie is one of the best pop-up rigs in carp fishing!"

Fish for Liners

Finding carp can be one of the toughest challenges as temperatures drop. Even if you target the right areas, you can never be completely sure you’re on them. They rarely show during daylight hours, adding to the frustration.

As winter progresses, one of the best ways to locate fish is by fishing for ‘liners’ — indications from carp brushing against your mainline. Fish tight to semi-tight lines using heavy bobbins and look for signs of movement. Once you get indications, pull back shorter until the bites start. If there are no indications at all, you can be confident the fish aren’t there, and it’s time to move if possible.

Keep Warm and Fish Short Sessions

Now that we’ve covered the technical aspects of cold weather carp fishing, let’s look at the practical side. Above all else, you need to keep warm. With so much high-quality fishing and outdoor clothing available today, there’s no excuse for being cold on the bank. In the OMC range, we’ve designed products specifically for winter angling. Keep your feet dry and warm with the Grand Adventure Waterproof Socks and Thermal Thinsulate Fleece-Lined Winter Boots, while your upper body stays protected with the Sherpa Fleece and Berry Toastie Beanie. Stay warm and you’ll fish better and harder.

"The Sherpa Fleece provides total warmth and comfort in the colder weather"

"Keeping your feet warm is a top winter priority"

With short feeding spells common in winter, it isn’t worth sitting on the bank for days on end. Instead, focus on shorter, more frequent sessions. Day trips, overnighters and quick afternoon hits are ideal for keeping motivation high. Fine down your gear to avoid excess baggage — our Compact Rucksack is worth a look if you want luggage that really does it all. There’s no need for a bulky bivvy either if you’re armed with the Noble Wind Shelter, which packs down small enough to fit in the footwell or boot of any car.

Do some or all of the above and you’ll give yourself a great chance of enjoying a productive winter on the bank while others give up. Carp are often at their biggest at this time of year, colours are fantastic for photos, and you can get close to them even on the busiest waters. Get the gear out and go cold water carping!

Journalist Chris Haydon joined the OMC family in spring 2024 after six years working for the UK’s number one fishing publication, Angling Times. He is a keen coarse and carp fishing all-rounder based in the South West, including the famous Cotswold Water Park.