I was planning on setting a small creek this weekend to catch some coons, PVC pipe sets and pocket sets, mostly with kaatz black label for bait. But it looks like the weather isn't going to be what I thought it would be- highs will be 35-45, but lows will be anywhere from 11-22. I know they move even when it's cold, but am I going to be wasting my time trying? Should I stay away from the water? I know I cant catch anything with no traps out, but I don't wan to waste my time either.

i have to believe they would still be out to build fat reserves.

That kind of weather won't deter coon from moving. Go and set some traps.

Set traps for sure! They will move a lot in that weather

That black label is a good bait, love the smell of that, very strong, and will carry

Yes - you should "bother"...
Pretty early for them to start holding up.

Had one walk thru the yard last night. 20 degrees, windy, and snowing.

Go set in that for sure!

No don't go set for them, let me know where the creek is, and I can take care of them for you.

Even if they don't move for a day or two, over next several days it will be nice again and your sets will be in place and ready to go when they do move. I don't think checking traps is ever a waist of time. Go enjoy gods creation!
Some of my biggest surprises came on the crappiest conditions days. If nothing else, if coons are not moving mink always are.
Go have some fun man! Open water isn't here forever and sounds like your equipment is all ready just needs to be put into service.
Jim

The first cold snap coon will hole up to some extent and it's harder to keep water sets operating but when it warms up coon will really move especially this early. Set in moving water so sets don't freeze in and you'll be ready when the coon are.

Weather forecast for this week (and I'm not very far north of you) shows almost forty today, and some really nice days this week. Yesterday was a cold start but the wind died down and it got very nice rest of the day and evening. Much better ending than beginning.
If your week is flowing the water should stay open and you are in business. Set today and enjoy a good week of coon and mink.
If you are worried about freeze up jus make some dirt sets along that creek in the coon trails, too. Variety of sets save the day for me often. Water freezes then I still have some DPs or dirthole sets for coon operating up on the bank. They will still move all this week trust me. I had a coon this morning and that was in -4 wind chill overnight and snow on ground.
Hey I bought a jar of that black label myself to try this year. Looks like good stuff and seems to have a good fishy smell.
Go get em and have fun!
Jim

I catch a lot of coon at 10 degrees with no wind nights. but again my coon never really hole up for longer that a couple weeks like you boys in the upper north do. if I have above freezing day time temps and the wind is not blowing hard or heavy snow my coon will move.

Success!!! One giant boar and two smaller coons last night. Low was 11 degrees. Now I just need defrost them and get them to dry out in my cold garage:-)

good job,just hang em in the shower after the wife goes to bed.

My coons stop moving around 20-25 degrees. Unless they are really hungry.

I remember some years ago during deer season we had some really crappy weather - snowing, freezing rain and high wind.
Not a good day to be in the woods - especially with the wind. I was probably the only deer hunter stupid enough to venture out, but I did.
Killed the best whitetail buck I've ever gotten on that day.

Any day out in the fields and woods is a good day!