Manchester 7-Day Fishing Forecast (26.01.2026 - 01.02.2026)
Introduction
Welcome to your detailed fishing forecast for Manchester over the next seven days. Whether you are coarse fishing for roach and bream, specimen hunting for carp and pike, or match fishing for perch and tench, this forecast is tailored to guide your angling efforts under the current winter conditions.
Weather Conditions
Current weather in Manchester is predominantly overcast with temperatures hovering around 3 to 5 degrees Celsius during the day, dipping close to freezing at night. Light to moderate rain is expected especially on the 27th January, followed by a slight clearing towards the weekend. Winds are relatively steady from the southeast to south at 3 to 7 mph, occasionally gusting higher during rainy periods. These chilly, damp conditions mean fish activity may be slower, and anglers should dress warmly and consider time-of-day patterns when planning their outings.
7-Day Fishing Forecast
Expect cold mornings and mild afternoons with rain showers primarily early in the week. Fishing for carp remains best during mid-afternoon periods when temperatures rise slightly. Pike favour slow, deep water and respond well to vibro baits under cloud cover. Roach and bream show promising activity during calm, overcast conditions in the late mornings and early evenings. Perch and tench bites will be sporadic but improve during steady light rain and wind drops. Match fishing might be challenging at times due to weather variability, but patient anglers will find success with natural baits in sheltered waters.
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Expert Opinion
Winter ice fishing in Britain requires specialised approaches to entice lethargic fish. Here are the top five methods recommended by IBIS Angling and Tourism for the chilly season:
5th Place: Bottom-Provocation Baiting
Deploy loose feed such as bloodworm, small crustaceans and feed particles to cloud the bottom and provoke fish from the lakebed. This helps to rouse sluggish species during cold spells.
4th Place: Jigging with Multiple Flies (Paternoster Rigs)
Highly effective for larger coarse fish especially bream. Utilise small jigs as lures and use an echo sounder for accurate depth control and to locate the fish.
3rd Place: Vibration Baits, Aquatic Invertebrate Imitations and Balancing Lures
- Vibration baits (about 40 mm) are versatile all-year lures
- Balancing lures (15-20 mm) work well for perch
- Use soft-action carbon rods for better bite sensitivity
- Beware treble hooks on small balancing lures as predatory fish can break them
2nd Place: Artificial Midge Patterns (Bloodworm-Free Methods)
No live bait needed, just a small jig and rod. Effective for predatory perch. Popular patterns include wire-bodied tungsten nymphs, banana-shaped compressed tungsten flies, ant-shaped patterns, and weighted banana lures for deep, windy waters.
1st Place: Bloodworm and Midge Combination
This method is the most versatile and beginner-friendly, targeting both predatory fish such as perch and coarse species like roach and crucian carp. Perfect for newcomers to winter angling.
Conclusions
The coming week in Manchester promises variable weather with some rain and chilly temperatures, impacting fish activity. Anglers are encouraged to focus on mid-afternoon sessions for carp and to employ specialised winter tactics like bottom-provocation baiting and artificial midge patterns. With patience and suitable equipment, this period holds good potential for successful coarse and specimen fishing in and around Manchester.