Pond Boss Forums FISH & FISHING Sunfish-Including Largemouth and Smallmouth Bass Will My Fish Survive Winter?

Thanks, sprkplug! I was hoping that someone would say that the 6 foot depth was OK for the winter. It would seem to me that ice over shallower water would actually permit MORE light penetration, thus more plant growth, thus more oxygen.

So, I'm still not sure why fish in winter need a lot of depth to survive. Could it be the temperature is too cold in water less than about 10 feet? I know if you go deep enough the temps are 39 degrees F.

I've caught BG and LMB in the big pond under the ice in 3 feet of water before, but I'm not sure that proves anything.