So start by determining the right temperature for the fish you seek. You can adjust your fishing hours to compenstate for less than ideal temperatures in freshwater. Fish from about four until dark if temperatures are low, and the day's sun will warm things up. There's a lot more to temperature. In saltwater you have currents of different temperature and, in littoral fishing, may have to go 50 or 100 miles offshore to catch the right temperature for target species, in for example, the Gulf Stream or on the left coast, Albacore country across the coastal California Current.
Temperature also influences methods.
If the water's far too cold, or too hot, bait's the best choice and live bait with movement is usually better. Ice fishing, for example, finds water way below avoidance levels and fish that don't eat much. Simple, there's not much available food. At temperatures rise into the active zone slow moving lures like spinners, or various plastic baits are in order. Smaller is usually better when it's cold too.