7-Day Fishing Forecast for Birmingham (12.01.2026 - 18.01.2026)
Introduction
Welcome to the fishing forecast for Birmingham, where we present a comprehensive outlook on upcoming weather and its impact on coarse fishing opportunities. Whether you are specimen hunting for pike or match fishing for roach and bream, our forecast helps you plan your angling to maximise success over the next week.
Weather Conditions
Currently, Birmingham faces cold winter conditions with clear skies and temperatures hovering around -1.3°C early today, feeling like -4.4°C in calm northerly light winds of approximately 2 mph. Daytime temperatures will rise to a mild 10.5°C with overcast skies and low humidity. Expect cloudy nights and light winds throughout, with a slight chance of very light rain on the 14th. The air pressure remains high near 1028 mb, ideal for steady fishing conditions. These cold but stable conditions are typical of mid-January and present fine opportunities for winter coarse fishing in local waters.
7-Day Fishing Forecast
Over the next week, temperatures will fluctuate between sub-zero nights and daytime highs around 10-13°C. Cloud cover varies from clear to overcast, with broken cloud spells. Winds remain light to moderate mostly from the north and northwest, gusting up to 10 mph occasionally. A few showers are expected around mid-week, but minimal rainfall overall will keep waters clear.
Species-specific advice:
- Pike: Ideal conditions mid to late week for active pike hunting with mild days encouraging surface and near-bank activity.
- Perch: Steady bite expected on calmer days; try live bait during low wind periods for best results.
- Roach and Bream: Best fished in the slow-moving stretches; take advantage of overcast skies to improve activity.
- Tench: Target deeper margins in low light, early mornings or dusk.
- Carp: Still sluggish in winter, fish near sun-warmed shallows late afternoon when temperatures peak.
Very good
Very good
Very good
Good
Good
Bad
Very bad
Expert Opinion
Winter Pike Fishing: Selecting the Right Live Bait
As an experienced winter pike angler, I cannot overstate the importance of selecting your live bait with considerable care-success or failure often hinges entirely on this decision. There is no one-size-fits-all solution; the optimal choice depends on numerous variables, including the specific characteristics of your water, prevailing weather conditions, and the pike's feeding mood on any given day. Crucian carp, perch, roach, and gudgeon each possess distinct advantages and disadvantages, and the skilled angler's responsibility is to adapt their selection intelligently to the prevailing circumstances.
Understanding Pike Preferences
The key lies in recognising which bait will prove most visible and appealing to pike in your particular conditions. Fishing murky water? Opt for crucian carp or roach with bright colouration that cuts through the gloom. Experiencing sluggish pike activity? Present a lively, energetic perch capable of triggering an aggressive strike from your quarry.
The most successful approach is simple: experiment constantly, observe your results attentively, and resist any reluctance to change your bait throughout the session. Only through this methodical trial-and-error process will you discover what works best and ultimately achieve the results you're after.
Conclusions
Birmingham's current and forecasted weather conditions provide good opportunities for winter coarse fishing, especially for specimen pike and perch. Mild afternoons interspersed with cooler nights underline the need for appropriate bait selection and adaptable tactics. Keep an eye on cloud cover and wind shifts, which can affect fish behaviour significantly. Use this seven-day forecast to plan your outings carefully and enhance your chances of a rewarding catch.