Northern/natural Lakes

[Lund Explorer]

Holy Moley! (I'm an old fart, we still say that). I was attempting to help out those that fish natural lakes and as stated, there are some MAJOR DIFFERENCES between them and highland and lowland impoundments. I for one, fish mainly natural lakes and am intimidated by those differences as well as by the sheer size of some lakes like Kentucky.

It's much easier for me to adapt to those differences if I can see the similarities rather than be intimidated by the differences and then apply my knowledge and strengths to those similarities. I look at a ledge as being similar to a drop off. They aren't the same, but the fish relate to them in a similar matter. Current is a major factor in fish positioning in a impoundment the same way shade is in a natural lake.

I believe the exchange of information about the differences and similarities between the two types of lakes will help those that were asking for more information on fishing natural lakes and to those looking to tackle a impoundment for the first time.

 

The main thing that the experts on here have ignored is that natural lakes located in the northern part of this country where almost all formed by glaciers during the last ice age.  They were first dug/scraped out by the advance of these glaciers, and then shaped again when the ice receded.  Because these glaciers covered the entire surface across the northern states, what you saw on the shoreline at that time, most often extended into the lake as well.  AS there weren't any trees growing under several hundred feet of ice, that you are not going to find tree stumps under the water.  Because creeks didn't form until the ice was melting, creek channels only formed above the lake's elevation.  Bays or coves could be present in a northern lake, but were formed in a low spot near a ridge made up of glacial moraine.  They weren't formed by flooding a creek channel with a manmade impoundment.  Finally, the further to the south that you find one of these lakes, the more potential that the lake will be at an advanced stage of eutrophication(aging) and therefor contain more weed growth and a softer bottom. 

 

Anyone who really desires to learn how to fish these lakes should concentrate on older issues of In-Fisherman magazine from the 1970's and 1980's.  The Lindner brothers grew up fishing these kinds of lakes, and many of the articles they published in their magazine at that time related directly to their experiences on glacially formed lakes.  Their work at classifying the various types of waters, along with the formula of F+L+P is just as relevant today as it ever was. 

 

IMO, once you have learned what to look for in a natural lake, the fishing is more consistent than in southern impoundments where water levels and water clarity are in a constant state of change depending upon the current weather.

[RoLo]

The main thing that the experts on here have ignored is that natural lakes located in the northern part of this country where almost all formed by glaciers during the last ice age.  They were first dug/scraped out by the advance of these glaciers, and then shaped again when the ice receded.  Because these glaciers covered the entire surface across the northern states, what you saw on the shoreline at that time, most often extended into the lake as well.  AS there weren't any trees growing under several hundred feet of ice, that you are not going to find tree stumps under the water.  Because creeks didn't form until the ice was melting, creek channels only formed above the lake's elevation.  Bays or coves could be present in a northern lake, but were formed in a low spot near a ridge made up of glacial moraine.  They weren't formed by flooding a creek channel with a manmade impoundment.  Finally, the further to the south that you find one of these lakes, the more potential that the lake will be at an advanced stage of eutrophication(aging) and therefor contain more weed growth and a softer bottom.

 

In-Fisherman is the quintessential angling encyclopedia, but even they give scant recognition

to the "origin" of natural lakes (overt glacial bias). As you well know, In-Fisherman classifies natural lakes

based on "age": Young = Oligo | Middle-age = Meso | Old = Eutro | Very old = Early cornfield  LOL

The glacier never reached Florida, but the state is strewn with lakes of all ages due to lake origins

unrelated to the Ice Age. For example, a natural lake of 'seabed' origin is generally overlooked,

but when Florida was underwater, Lake Okeechobee was a depression in the ocean floor.

The Florida FWC classifies every waterbody according to trophic state, and the classifications run the gamut

from early oligotrophic to late eutrophic, lake ages unrelated to the ice age.

In addition, Florida has many deep natural lakes with sharp drop-offs reminiscent of a highland reservoir.

Most of these waterbodies are of karst origin (i.e. sinkhole), a couple of examples are Crooked Lake

and Eagle Lake (minutes from my home).

 

From Canada to Florida, the presence of tree stumps almost invariably indicates a 'manmade impoundment'.

 

 

Roger

[Sherlock 60]

Thanks for all the information.

This discussion led me to research the Barbee Chain of Lakes in Northern Indiana, where I do 99.7% of my fishing, and I think this knowledge will help me be a better angler.

It turns out that of the 7 lakes in the chain 3 are mesotrophic, 2 are eutrophic and 2 are hypereutrophic.

This will help me get a bit more specific with the lures and techniques I use based on location.

[papajoe222]

One of the lakes I fish here in Pennsylvania is a natural lake and is extremely difficult to fish. It has very little shallow water with not much vegetation. The lack of shallow water, I believe really kills any chance of this lake being a good lake......

The lack of shallow water in itself, if the lake has an abundance of stained or dirty water, may pose problems for spawning.  However, clear water offers much better light penetration which is essential to a succesfull spawn. I fish many strip pits that contain only 10-15% of water that is under 8ft., yet bass, bluegill, crappie and catfish abound.  Bodies of water such as these are difficult to be successfull on a regular basis because the fish (bass especially) suspend and move frequently.  That is why trolling is a good approach.  The fact that you need to concentrate on is that those fish relate to the structure. That, in a nutshell, is the mindset of all 'structure fishermen.'

[johnfl]

Northern bass are edge fish, meaning they relate closely to edges. Weed edges are huge in the bigger bass game in northern wisconsin. In the summer you will find weeds growing out to 12-15' to where the weeds start to get sparse that's where you do the damage on size and numbers. Usually following the weeds meant big bags for the northern guys. Especially when the lakes form t clines when it's hot out. I've found more big bass out on the deeper edges during the hot times rather than shallow pad filled bays again when it's hot out. I've caught nice bass shallow but mainly the deeper stuff. Swim jigs do damage control on these deeper fish. Soft plastics. I can tell you one scenario. Last summer I took a 3 week vaca to my home area in northern wi. I fished this one lake for many years it was. 500 acres and weeds were plentiful on the northern side and good weeds up there. I fished hard everyday all day. Summer heat was in full force. Throwing swim jigs into the deeper thick stuff using a rip pause rip to clear weeds. Then they would thump it. I was catching decent ones but nothing like I know lived around there. So I searched with the humminbird si and noticed some sand mixed in with the coon tail and deep water to my back and that spot caught me a few big fish. Then I pinpointed the spot on the spot and would pull a big fish out every cast. It was a hole in the weeds with sand on bottom backed up to mud it was the size of my last deck my cousin couldn't believe how that spot had so many numbers of big fish

He loves throwing wacky worms but couldn't get a bite I handed himy swim jig rod and he didn't know how to work them I said just watch and bam reeled another in then he cast out and caught the biggest fish and now loves jig fishing. But again on natural lakes big largies love the deep edges of the coontail.

[Cameron211]

I dont like fishing reservoirs in indiana or least where I am is because of the fluctuation of man letting water out. As where natural lakes are not messed with by man. And just referring to man letting water out. So I think there is a difference if this happens