Manchester 7-Day Fishing Forecast (12.01.2026 - 18.01.2026)
Introduction
Welcome to the detailed fishing forecast for Manchester covering the upcoming week. Whether you are into coarse fishing, specimen hunting, or match fishing, this forecast blends weather insights with practical angling guidance to help you maximise your catch in the local waters.
Weather Conditions
Currently, Manchester is experiencing mild temperatures around 9°C with variable cloud cover and occasional light rain expected throughout the day. Winds are moderate from the south-west at approximately 4 to 6 mph, gusting slightly higher, which is generally favourable for fishing.
The overall atmospheric pressure is steady near 997 hPa, humidity is high around 85%, and visibility remains excellent. Light rain showers are forecast on certain days, providing natural oxygenation and increased fish activity but do bear in mind the potential for slippery banks.
Anglers should prepare for mixed conditions including overcast skies and intermittent rain throughout the week with temperatures gradually cooling to near 2°C--ideal for winter coarse species like bream, tench, and roach to become more active.
7-Day Fishing Forecast
Day 1 (12.01.2026): Mild with light showers. Pike and perch respond well to active live bait. Coarse species like roach may slow; consider bright coloured baits to increase visibility.
Day 2 (13.01.2026): Persistent light rain and steady winds. Excellent for pike fishing using lively perch or crucian carp as live bait to provoke aggressive strikes. Carp and tench will feed cautiously in warmer, sheltered areas.
Day 3 (14.01.2026): Cooler and clearer with broken clouds. Bream and roach improve activity. Use smaller live or natural baits for best results in still waters or slow flows.
Day 4 (15.01.2026): Light rain returns, increasing oxygen levels. Perfect conditions to target specimen pike in deeper waters with larger live bait offerings such as roach or goby.
Day 5 (16.01.2026): Overcast with intermittent showers. Tench and bream make good sport using maggots or worms near marginal reeds. Perch remain aggressive and respond to twitching lures or live bait.
Day 6 (17.01.2026): Stable but chilly conditions with low temperatures around 4°C. Slow presentation of bait is key; consider wobblers or jigging baits for perch and pike.
Day 7 (18.01.2026): Similar cool and cloudy conditions. Focus on stillwaters for carp and tench with steady baiting of particle mixes and groundbait.
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 must emphasise that selecting live bait deserves meticulous attention, as your choice directly influences the success of your entire fishing session. There is no one-size-fits-all solution; the optimal bait depends upon numerous factors, including the specific characteristics of your water, prevailing weather conditions, and indeed the pike's current feeding disposition.
Crucian carp, perch, roach and goby each present distinct advantages and disadvantages, and the skilled angler's task is to adapt their selection intelligently to the circumstances at hand.
Understanding Pike Preferences
The key consideration is recognising which bait type will prove most visible and appealing to pike under your present conditions. Fishing turbid water? Opt for crucian carp or roach displaying vibrant colouration. Pike activity proving sluggish? Present a lively, active perch capable of triggering an aggressive strike.
Through experimentation, careful observation and a willingness to adjust your bait selection throughout the session, you'll develop the acuity necessary to find the winning combination and consistently achieve results.
Conclusions
Manchester's waters offer varied opportunities this week despite mixed weather, with winter species like pike, perch, tench, roach and bream all active when approached with the right techniques. Keep an eye on the changing forecast to adapt your methods, particularly live bait selection for pike. Remember safety near slippery banks during rain and bundle up to stay comfortable for those longer winter sessions. Tight lines!