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[24/7bassin]

I have never claimed to be a know-it-all when it comes to fishing.  I do, however, have enough knowledge on bass fishing to be able to make myself look smart to someone that has no knowledge on fishing

However, today while driving down the road and talking about fishing, my wife asked me a question that I had no answer for.  She was happy that she found something that I did not know about...I was upset that I really had no knowledge about where bass would be in a large river in the winter time.  I didn't stay upset for long, I told her someone on this site would be able to tell me and I would get back to her.

So, what I know is that they will be deeper where the warmer water is, but they do not like to be in current.   I even read somewhere that cold water and current could kill bass.   So, are bass in back water areas?  Are they in the main river?  Are they in the main river's tributaries, or are they in the backs of creeks in deep holes?  I need to know this so my wife will get off my butt.  As I am typing this, she is picking on me because I "don't know everything about everything." 

So you have some more information, I live in Kentucky where the Ohio and Kentucky Rivers meet, and right down the road from where the Little Kentucky river flows into the Ohio River.  I live in Carrollton where the BFL Tournament is for the Buckeye Division, if that helps any.  Thanks in advance for sharing your knowledge to get me out of a bind.

[wvbassangler]

I found that bass in river systems in water below 45 or so are still in the thermal layer "deep" however every fish is different you will find some in shallow water when the sun is high when the water temp warms up a little the bass will start pushing bait fish up to the top because it's colder and it makes a easy meal I'm sure some other river rats will chine in soon

[screwballl]

Depends on the size... smaller rivers they will stay off to the side in small pools where the water only moves slowly, but where they can still jump out to grab a bite if they need to. On larger rivers, they will stay in the smaller side arms with little to no current usually around 12 feet deep where the water temperature is constant but still warms up a little during the clear days. Also if there are any creeks that are spring fed, sometimes they will be found close to where the creek meets the river in the same 10-12 foot range.

[24/7bassin]

Thanks everybody...you saved me from hearing about this for another couple weeks.  You all are life savers... 

[lousyfisher]

is there even a thermocline on a large river?  I live and fish on the ohio river, and I figured with the dams every 40 miles and the barge traffic that the water would stay mixed therefore no thermocline.  Please correct me if I'm wrong, I would like to know this too.

[jwfflipper]

is there even a thermocline on a large river?  I live and fish on the ohio river, and I figured with the dams every 40 miles and the barge traffic that the water would stay mixed therefore no thermocline.  Please correct me if I'm wrong, I would like to know this too.

This is my finding also as I live on the Ohio too
Jeff

[wvbassangler]

This is my finding also as I live on the Ohio too
Jeff

I would think they would have to be because when you find them they are bunched up I know we have kanawha river that dumps in to the Ohio but there is a big differents between the two.