Learn back lakes and marshes now and benefit when conditions warm this spring.
Story and Photography by Nate Skinner

Shallow water and February might not seem like they “go together.” The second month of the year is often one of the coldest, and fish are usually found stacked in their deep winter holes instead of basking in the skinny waters of back lakes and marshes. Despite the fact that the next 29 days (Yes, it is a leap year) may not lend themselves towards the best shallow water fishing opportunities in 2016, they will offer anglers the best window of time for scouting and exploring back lakes and marshes that will soon be teeming with fish as springtime warm weather is rapidly approaching.
Strong cold fronts make February a frigid month, with very few days between weather systems is why water temperatures will remain low along with tides. Some of the lowest tides of the year will be produced from strong northwest winds. As these fronts blow the secrets of marshes and back lakes are revealed. Shallow reefs, bars, and flats become exposed while only deep guts, creeks, and bayous running in and out as well as through the back lakes will be holding water. Anglers willing to put forth the effort to run and explore these areas under these conditions can learn not only how to safely navigate the back lakes, but also how to approach them by understanding the travel corridors fish use as they move in and out of the shallows.

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