How To Locate Fish On A New Lake/pond

[MikeOGNR]

Hey guys, I am wondering how you guys approach new waters. What I mean by this is where do you begin when you get on a new piece of water??? Do you look at the shore lay out and look for specific areas and try there or??? Any info is appreciated

Thanks

-Mike

[roadwarrior]

#1 Points

#2 Rip rap and structure that built the dam

#3 Any underwater structure you find

#4 Docks

[hooah212002]

Get a map if available.

[Highhawk1948]

I am fishing 6 natural lakes and I like to get a map even if it just rough. I also look at Google Earth and look at the areas that I think are spawning areas, points, isolated docks, a concentration of docks, canals, anything that may draw bass. When fishing it I ususally start at the closest points to the spawning areas,(summer, fall, winter). Warm weather I like sloping points, in colder weather I like sharp dropoffs. In Jan, Feb, March, into April I am fishing spawning areas like canals, pads, other spawning areas.

I never turn off my depth finder and look for the visible grass lines in the deepest water , and underwater weed beds.

I mark this all on my map. Sometimes I will just "hunt" and not get a lot of fishing done.

I was an avid bass fisherman in the 70's thru the 90's. Got out of it in the new century. Started in earnest again last year. Having a lot of fun using the above, and catching fish reguarly.

Good luck! Hope this helps.

[papajoe222]

Like the others, I get a map before I ever hit the water. If that isn't an option, I choose where to start by observing visible clues once on the water. Take into consideration the stage that the fish should be in at the time (pre-post spawn, summer, winter) and use a search type bait to probe those areas you feel would hold fish under those circumstances.

I'll leave the rods on the deck for the first hour or so, or until I find, with my depth finder, what I feel is an area that should be holding fish. Then I just go about eliminating water until I hopefully contact fish.

Your best bet in either situation is to pick out a small section of the lake you feel should be productive and pick it apart rather than running from one area of the lake to another and using only one or two approaches in one or two depth zones at each.

[haydenf96]

I am fishing 6 natural lakes and I like to get a map even if it just rough. I also look at Google Earth and look at the areas that I think are spawning areas, points, isolated docks, a concentration of docks, canals, anything that may draw bass. When fishing it I ususally start at the closest points to the spawning areas,(summer, fall, winter). Warm weather I like sloping points, in colder weather I like sharp dropoffs. In Jan, Feb, March, into April I am fishing spawning areas like canals, pads, other spawning areas.

I never turn off my depth finder and look for the visible grass lines in the deepest water , and underwater weed beds.

I mark this all on my map. Sometimes I will just "hunt" and not get a lot of fishing done.

I was an avid bass fisherman in the 70's thru the 90's. Got out of it in the new century. Started in earnest again last year. Having a lot of fun using the above, and catching fish reguarly.

Good luck! Hope this helps.

I agree with this right here!

I always get a map, as many as I can possibly get and I look for the spawning areas first. I then look for deep water as close to the area as possible. I also look for nearby humps or other interesting structure.

I then look at water temp and conditions, If it is 85 degree water temperature I am looking at the deep water next to drop offs, But if it is 65-70 I am fishing points and shallow water next to the drop offs,

Next I use my depthfinder. I look at the key areas on my map and try to locate different structure and schools of shad. After I find the those I fish the area with a search bait, and hopefully I have found the fish!

Tight Lines!

[Nitrofreak]

Homework is always the first key to fishing new waters, a map is part of that homework, I have the tendency to look for feeder creeks first, and then points with interest, and the structure of the areas.

It depends on the time of year it is as to where I look first to find bass, structure imo is first, I am looking for the best structure I can find, I will look at the longest point on the map and start my elimination there, does the point have deep water access, does it have steep drops, gental slopes, or a combination of both is even better.

I also use Google maps to help aid in visual aspects of possibilities, docks, lay downs, shallower large grassy areas, how much of each is located there.

The only time I look at the shore is when I am trying to get a picture of what a point looks like as it merges with the water and continues it's structure under the water.

As with any body of water nothing beats time on that water, take your time and put the most information you can together to give yourself the best available option to locate the fish, you may have already chosen a bait to start fishing with before you even get your boat wet, once you get to the location you have chosen you may find something unexpected and wish to try a different choice, trust that instinct and let yourself explore.

Once you have chosen an area, pick that area apart from top to bottom, make mental notes of what is there for structure and cover by keeping a journal, if that area did not work today, it may be worth the effort to try again in the future.

Good luck and be safe !!!

[WDinarte]

Great tips here, a LOT of tips but for me that I don't have the equipment that you guys have ( boat-fish find.- ... ) I try to picture the areas that I fish and with out all that I try to find the most fishable area.

I still learn a lot from you guys, and I do have fun fishing.

Great question on this topic and excellent tips.