Below is my own proprietary approach, and not something that you'd likely read elsewhere
On every new lake, whether it's in the United States or Canada, I'll begin with a "Chart Survey",
This requres GPS cartography that's interactive with your personal computer so that the coordinates are directly acquired.
If GPS hydrography is not available for that lake, I'd select another lake because life is too short to waste on blind-fishing.
With good cartography, the Atlantic Ocean is no harder to pindown than a 10-acre farm pond.
Begin the Chart Survey by pinpointing all the best "compression points" in the waterbody.
A compression point is a localized spot where the contour lines strongly converge.
In the fish's world, it's immaterial whether compressoin is due to a Drop-off (declivity) or a Ridge (aclivity)
because the value of the holding site is determined by the gradient of the slope (steepness).
Slopes that span over a broad depth range provide a year-round habitat,
but the current depth of fish will vary with seasonal periods and pool levels. A compression point
is greatly enhanced by a "Corner" or turn in the depth lines, which is a powerful structural asset.
Here again, it's immaterial whether the corner is a Point (male corner) or Pocket (female corner).
When you're physically on the lake for the first time, the "Field Survey" can be performed.
While the Chart Survey deals with "contour", the Field Survey deals with "cover".
If suitable 'cover' exists, then the Depth Sounder is used to confirm the accuracy of the Chart Survey.
Last but not least, an "onsite save" will finally provide the real-world coordinates for the holding site.
Roger
