While I was contemplating this article, I initially was thinking about a new lake that you never fished before, but it all of a sudden it struck me that it is just as significant on any lake that you fish, regardless of your past history with it. Water levels, temperatures (water and air), seasons, structure, etc. vary from year to year and even week to week, so basic knowledge of a lake has to be virtually acquired again even if you have fished it before! Lets start breaking it down.
Many times anglers look at a large lake and go, "Wow, how am ever going to find
fish in this? It is so big!" Large lakes can be initially intimidating
until you realize that you don't fish the lake, you only fish part of it. I have
been fishing Lake of the Woods (LOTW), in Ontario for about the last 15 years and I
can tell you that it is big water in anybody's book. Roughly, LOTW
is about 100 miles long by about 60 miles wide, and if you think about fishing
the lake, it is over-whelming and really inconceivable. On waters
of this size, you must realize that you are only going to fish a small portion
of it. The old adage that the grass is always greener, must have had
a fisherman in mind. Regardless of where on the lake a fisherman is staying
they always seem to have to go to the otherside of the lake to fish. If
it is impossible to go to the other side, then miles away is always better than
close to the cabin. While I admit, fishing new water is always exciting,
it is generally not as productive. First of all, you will spend precious
time running the boat to a distant spot cutting into your possible fishing time.
If you are paying approximately $2.80 a gallon for gasoline, like
in Canada, it is also expensive. So where do you start?
While
you have probably heard this a million times, here goes a million and one. Start
by doing some research before you head out to the lake. Research the area and
make a choice as to where you think your best chances are based on that research.
Websites, magazine articles, and conversation with knowledgeable people are the
best sources of input. Upon your arrival to the area, get a good quality lake
map and then begin to ask some questions. If you are renting a cabin,
boat, or just buying bait, talk to these people. All of the people
I just mentioned want you to be successful, so you will come back. First
of all ask them, pointing to your map, where the fishing is currently good. Then,
ask them were some better spots are on the map. You may have spotted
some spots yourself, but it is good to get reassurance. Ask them some
key questions:
What structure are the fish currently relating to, i.e. weeds, rocks, wood, etc.
At what depth have the fish been hitting?
What bait(s) have been working?
What speed of presentation has been the most effective, fast, slow?
Then you can get into colors and bait sizes.
You are starting to gather some information in your area, and are also beginning to construct a possible pattern on the fish you are seeking. If at all possible, resist the urge to fish immediately. You can't believe the benefits you'll derive if you take your map and just slowly cruise the lake shore in the area you are going to be fishing. Look at the shore line structure and also the bottom with your graph. Note on your map, special things that you find out. Even take a colored pencil and try to outline the breaks on pieces of structure. This is what has been lovingly called, "The spot on the spot". These spots are typically structure that makes a good spot, outstanding, i.e. a boulder, rock, weed patch, fallen log, etc. In addition, look for spots that nobody marked or aren't showing on the map. Once you have done your homework, start fishing using the information that you have gained. The important part here is that you have nothing at this point, other than a starting point. You have some good spots marked, and even know what and how has been working. If it is still working GREAT, but many times they aren't jumping in your boat. Be flexible, and adjust your thinking. Buck Perry was once credited with saying that the fish are "shallow or deep, or somewhere in between!" Lots of wisdom here that really helps. Don't let yourself fall into a rut, and keep doing something that isn't working. Try fishing shallower or deeper. If the fish were on weeds, try rocks, etc. If you keep plugging (pardon the pun), you'll eventually start catching fish. Once the fish has been caught, use it to further develop your pattern. Note the depth, the structure, the depth, and your presentation. What other spots on your map are similar? You should be getting the idea now, that fishing isn't magic and lakes are fishable. Good luck, and keep us informed as to how you are doing!
Click the mailbox to e-mail. Last updated on ... April 21, 2002