Reading New Waters

[ryan7261]

Reading New Waters

How many times has it happened to you? You find yourself on a lake you've never fished, and you're suddenly faced with the task of finding fish in an enormous area of water. Big lakes are especially intimidating to first-time visitors, but finding fish on strange waters covering no more than a few hundred acres can be equally daunting. Where do you start? How do you determine where to fish? Is there some standard procedure or secret formula for success? Or is it pretty much just hit and miss? Unfamiliar lakes should be fished. Of course, there are times on new water when you can't seem to catch anything, no matter what you do. But usually, the astute angler who approaches new waters with positive intentions and a well thought out game plan will find some action.

At-Home Preparation: Before leaving home, spend time learning all you can about your new fishing spot. Start by phoning your state fisheries department and asking for the phone number of the biologist who manages the lake. Then make a call to the biologist and ask a few questions. Is this a good fishing lake at this time of year? What type and size of fish are likely to be caught? Can you offer a few pointers on the best areas to fish? Do you know the water depth where most fish are now being caught? Can you suggest local anglers or bait shops I might call for an up to date report on fishing conditions? Most fisheries biologists conduct regular surveys on their lake and possess knowledge of the fishery others don't have. Most also stay abreast of fishing conditions and will gladly provide information. With a detailed map, you can establish a game plan that will help you find fish once you reach your new honeyhole. If possible, use maps made on a small scale, such as 1:12,000, in which one inch of map equals 1,000 feet. The best maps also show the presence of cover and specific underwater structure. When you have a map in hand, study it closely, and mark spots that are likely to hold fish. If the lake is large, concentrate on a specific portion, such as the upper end, the mid-lake region or the lower lake. Start by determining the current water level if possible, and mark it on the map. This information is often available from the agency controlling the lake and can be obtained with a quick phone call. The number you'll be given, such as 445 or 280, is the elevation contour line that will be on your map. Find that contour line, and mark it with a highlighter. This is important because of the tremendous fluctuation some lakes exhibit, especially during winter and summer, when water levels may be drawn down. If you don't know the current lake level, you could spend all night marking fish- holding hotspots on your map, only to discover later that every spot is out of the water! When you've marked the shoreline, examine your map carefully fro any structure that might attract fish, keeping in mind seasonal patterns that may determine specific fish activities. Look for points where fish might be concentrated: old river and creek channels, underwater humps, shallow flats and coves. fish attractors tributary. Then mark that structure on the map so you'll have a starting point for your fishing activities when you reach the lake. Don't be content to mark only two or three places. Mark as many as you can find, and number them in order of importance.