Learning
to Fish New Lakes
Acquainting
yourself with new bodies of water is an
intimidating task. But with research and
homework, it’s easier than you may
think.
By:
Andrew Ragas
Date Posted: December 1, 2011
Learning
to fish a new, unfamiliar body of water
is an intimidating task. Most fishermen
endure these challenges whether it’s
fishing for tournaments, guiding, or
leisure. As one who frequently fishes
new lakes throughout the Upper Midwest
each year and loves to explore, learning
to fish them isn’t as difficult as it
seems. It’s actually become a routine
that has led to exceptional results and
has turned me into a better,
more-rounded angler.
Imagine
being able to fish every day, spending
as much time on the water as you desire.
Some folks are privileged to do this
while others aren’t. In a perfect world
this would be possible for everyone.
It’s too bad that time is such a
valuable commodity. Although time is one
of the best resources available for
learning to fish new lakes, most
dedicated fishermen are unwilling to
utilize it. As good as it sounds, time
is an impractical option. Those who fish
new lakes want immediate results, and
sometimes time cannot guarantee it.
With the
advent of new and advanced technologies
such as down and side imaging sonars,
and incredibly accurate GPS mapping
systems and chart-plotting, the process
of learning new lakes has become greatly
simplified. In addition to technologies
and the learning curves they bring, we
currently live in an information age in
which we have access to published
information that can be found both
online and in print. This information
includes contour maps, surveys,
articles, and more. The availability of
technology and published resources makes
learning a new lake faster and easier
than ever imagined.
Each
year I am inundated with inquiries from
friends and other anglers who have never
taken it upon themselves to learn how to
fish new lakes, and who simply don’t
know where to begin. “What do you do
to successfully fish new lakes?”
they ask. This is a complicated answer,
with several different parts, and
involves fitting the puzzle pieces
together.
Research:
Do Homework
In order
to learn a new lake, anglers must be
willing to do some homework. This
involves research and information
gathering.
Remember
when you were in college and likely
spent hours gathering research in order
to help support your thesis for
completing a big term paper? As unique
as it seems, doing your research for
fishing is very similar and can be just
as complicated. Only it is more fun,
involves the science of locating fish,
and requires significantly less time.
Learning
to fish a new lake heavily involves
researching the lake’s ecological
make-up. This includes its topography,
fishery, and history. The first thing to
know is its type of water. For instance,
is it a reservoir or a natural lake?
Next, determine its lake type. Is it a
eutrophic, mesotrophic, or oligotrophic
lake? Finally, look into its fishery,
especially population size and stocking
information. Determine its abundant
species and what their average and
trophy sizes are.
When I
do my research on a particular lake, I
like to do my homework weeks before the
trip is scheduled. This gives me ample
time to know everything that needs to be
known about the particular place I will
fish. For instance, I typically use the
internet for looking up fishing reports
and reviews, fish stocking summaries,
and angling history. I may even call the
local bait shops, guides, and other
experienced anglers if I personally know
them. In addition, I utilize any
accessible maps that may aid in
navigation and public access. These
include topographic downloads supplied
by the DNR as well as a gazetteer. In
addition to internet and maps, I also
have a propensity to purchase lake
profile booklets that are often compiled
by professional guides, and produced by
mapping software companies.
By
having an idea of the lake’s make up and
composition, you will have insight as to
what the lake’s topography is and the
type of fishery it may comprise. This
preliminary research is invaluable, and
is the first piece of the puzzle.
Topography:
Reading Contours
Understanding topography or the
structure of the lake is the second
phase. In order to be successful at
picking apart a new lake you must be
good at map reading. The most common
maps used for fishing and navigation are
topographic and hydrographic maps that
display contours, depths, and cover.
A good
map reader is one who can follow
contours and has an excellent sense of
direction without the aid of a compass
or GPS. Factors that determine a good
map reader are the understanding of
underwater structure, deciphering
shallow from deep water environments,
locating sharp breaks, and positioning
the boat at specific locations that are
shown on the map. Being able to
comprehend a lake map and visualize its
composition will give you a tour of the
lake, and make you a much better angler.
As an
angler whose boat isn’t equipped with
the finest available technologies or GPS
mapping, I rely on my contour reading
exclusively through map print-outs and
what’s in my photographic memory and
what I can visualize. I must admit,
having everything I need in my head is a
talent.
When
researching the topography of a new
lake, I use as many different maps I can
obtain of each lake. Examples are DNR
downloads, store purchased, or
hand-drawn maps whether it be mine or a
guides. Despite being of the same lake,
I advise on using as many maps as
possible because all are recorded and
detailed differently.
Ecology:
Understanding the Lake
Once
research is conducted and information is
gathered, it’s time to dissect
everything that comprises the lake that
will be fished.
Some
questions to ponder about your lake of
choice could be the following:
-
What are its acreage and
maximum/mean depths?
- Is
there a fishable population of
targeted species (in our case,
bass)?
-
What species of fish is the lake
being managed for?
- Is
the fish population stocked or
naturally-reproducing?
-
What are its forage species?
-
Does the lake have public access?
-
What is its water clarity?
-
What are its primary sources of fish
habitat and cover?
-
What lake type is it, and what
bottom types does it have?
Having
an understanding for the ecology and
overall complexion of the lake
ultimately prepares anglers for what
should be expected. Once the facts are
known, it’s time to adequately gear up
and head to the lake.
On the
Water Lessons
The
drive en route to the new lake and
acquainting myself with its boat landing
is what I always look forward to. Since
it’s an adrenaline rush, who needs an
early morning cup of coffee? I always
get excited over the fact of fishing
new, unfamiliar waters. All the homework
and research that has been done has
ultimately prepared me for this point.
Once the
boat is unloaded and in the water, you
must be willing to temporarily put down
the fishing rods and explore with the
boat’s electronics and a good lake map.
When out on the lake for the first time,
it is important to learn how to navigate
your way around the lake, and to pay
close attention to the areas that were
narrowed down from all the research that
was done.
No
matter how good the best fishermen in
the world are, no one can learn a new
body of water within a day. It is
physically and mentally impossible. On
most lakes, it requires days, if not
weeks, to acquire the most elementary
understanding of its layout and
dynamics.
I have a
unique routine when it comes to
exploring the lake and getting a feel
for it. Regardless of size, whether it
is a small 100 acre lake or a large
several thousand acre lake, I always
break the lake down into sections on my
map and immediately head towards its
likely high-percentage areas that
correlate best to fish movements and the
specific time of year I am fishing. This
eliminates the chances of wasting
precious fishing time on unproductive
areas and dead water. Depending on the
lake’s acreage, I like to dedicate as
little as 15 minutes to as much as an
hour by motoring around the lake to see
what it may have to offer.
I often
begin by slowly cruising along the
shorelines, paying close attention to my
sonar in observing the depths, and where
the drop-offs, bottom gradients, and
contours are in relation to my maps. In
addition, I will also look for man-made
cover such as piers, boat slips, and any
natural cover such as downed wood,
rocks, and weedbeds. Finally, I will
look for humps and bars if present on
the lake. These are all high percentage
areas that are likely to hold fish
throughout the season. While exploring
the lake, attention to detail is
critical. Always observe transitions
such as changes in the bottom
composition, weed growth, and the
shorelines. In addition, see where other
people are fishing and check your maps
to see what types of structure and area
they are on.
Following the tour of the lake,
reviewing everything it has to offer and
eliminating the non-productive areas,
it’s time to finally break out the rods
and fish. Return to the areas that
exhibited potential, located fish, and
put all your information and research
into use by catching them. Begin by
fishing with search lures such as
spinnerbaits, crankbaits, jerkbaits, and
anything else that will allow timely
water coverage. If the fish are there,
search lures will usually lead to
immediate results and generate
conclusions. Once fish are caught, and
their behaviors are observed, then a
pattern is established and it becomes
suitable to then fish with precise
applications.
Learning
to fish a new lake and being able to
catch fish from it will not make you an
instant expert. However, if you follow
these steps, I guarantee that it will
make you a better fisherman, teach you
self-confidence, and lessen the reliance
that is put on guides and other anglers.
It takes a lot of studying, effort, and
time on the water to learn a lake’s
dynamics and how to fish it. But when
all can be successfully done by an
angler individually, the task of
learning a new lake becomes worth it and
will add to the repertoire of angling
accomplishments.
