Winter is a great time to spend an evening outdoors with
kids gazing at the stars. Photo by Scottdale Ariz. CVB
Winter Fun for Catfish Kids
By Keith “Catfish” Sutton
Spring, summer and fall offer endless chances for outdoor fun. Fishing, swimming, camping, hiking, boating—you can fill every warm day with something exciting.
Winter, though, often gets ignored. Too many families hunker down indoors, convinced it’s “too cold,” or “there’s nothing to do” or “the kids will catch a cold.” A snowfall might lure everyone outside long enough to build a snowman or ride a sled, but that’s about it.
It shouldn’t be that way. Winter has its own magic and sharing it with kids creates memories they’ll carry forever.
Watching the Sky Fall
One December night just after 1 a.m., I woke my sleepy boys and helped them into warm coats. Outside, the air was crisp and the sky clear as glass. We lay on a hillside and peered south.
“Dad, what do they look like?” Jared asked.
Before I could answer, a bright streak slashed across the sky like a bottle rocket fired from the moon.
“WOW! Did you see that?”
Another followed, then another. Suddenly the boys were wide awake, laughing and shouting “Ooooh!” and “Ahhh!” as the heavens kept throwing sparks.
We were watching the Geminid Meteor Shower, one of several winter meteor shows that can produce dozens of shooting stars every hour. Others include the Ursids near Christmas and the Quadrantids in early January.
Clear winter nights are perfect for sky watching. No special gear needed—just warm clothing and a willingness to look up.
Dogs, Trails and Kids on the Move
On another winter morning, beagles trailed a cottontail through thick cover while my 11-year-old waited by a narrow opening.
“He’ll cross here any time,” I whispered.
“I’m ready,” Josh said.
The rabbit burst out, looking like it had a pack of tiny demons on its tail. Josh raised his .410, squeezed the trigger and rolled his first rabbit. His grin told the whole story.
Hunting rabbits or squirrels with dogs is an ideal way to introduce kids to small-game hunting. They can talk, ask questions, learn safety and ethics, and, best of all, enjoy the excitement of plenty of action. Kids need opportunities for success, and winter small-game hunts deliver exactly that.
Birding in the Cold
Winter birding became another family tradition. Every year my sons and I tackle the White River Christmas Bird Count, one of thousands held nationwide. Some mornings, before most folks are awake, we’re already counting hawks on telephone poles or glassing rafts of ducks on backwaters.
“Three kinglets, two titmice and a flicker,” I called out once as Matthew scribbled down numbers.
“I think that’s a bluebird!” Shaun shouted.
It was—the first of the day—and by lunchtime we’d already logged 50 species. Winter brings all kinds of birds: circling eagles, roadside hawks, migrating geese and songbirds from far up north. We chase them joyfully until dark, hoping each year to beat our family record of 70 species in a single day.
Bank-Fishing for Winter Catfish
And here’s one more winter adventure most families never think about—catfishing on a pond bank.
Many farm ponds and small lakes hold catfish that stay active even in cold weather. They may feed less than in summer, but with the right approach, kids can still catch plenty.
Pick a sunny afternoon when a little warmth hits the shoreline. Channel cats often cruise the shallows then, searching for easy meals. A simple bottom rig with night crawlers, chicken liver or stinkbait can tempt them. Set up lawn chairs, build a crackling fire if the rules allow and enjoy a slow, peaceful kind of fishing that’s perfect for kids.
Winter catfishing teaches patience, sharpens skills and gives youngsters something they’ll talk about for weeks, especially if a big whiskered fish bends their rod.
Make This Winter Count
Meteor showers. Bird counts. Rabbit hunts with eager dogs. Quiet afternoons on a pond bank waiting for a catfish bite.
Winter isn’t a season for staying inside. It’s a season rich with discovery, excitement, and memories waiting to be made.
So what will you and your kids do this winter?
(CatfishNOW editor Keith Sutton has six sons who grew up hunting, fishing and exploring the outdoors near their childhood homes in Arkansas.)
