How to Fish This Lake?

[reerok]

Hi All,

I've been fishing this lake quite a bit (Clendening Lake) but haven't seen much success.  https://webapp.navionics.com/#boating@11&key=qustFxcunN

It's a man-made, 9.9 HP limit reservoir that is known for big largies (at least by Ohio standards).  I've spent a fair amount of time on it this summer but haven't had much luck beating the banks.  It is loaded with natural laydowns along almost all of the shore lines and this is where I've fished mostly.

I'd love to get a collective view from all of you of how you'd approach it and what areas you'd target.  What would your approach be?

Thanks everyone!

-reerok

[Avery]

Follow le baitfish

[reerok]

Thanks.  I try to follow the shad and have seen the results when I do.  But that's a good reminder as I often times get tunnel vision and just fish lay down after lay down.

Any thoughts on locations on the map?  I'm new to reading maps and would love some ideas on where to focus.

[flyingmonkie]

Interesting lake - I see a couple things that stand out!

If they aren't relating to wood, maybe they like rock. The bridges and rip-rap along the modern roads could be good.  Especially if there is current flowing.  I also see several submerged bridges and lots of roadbed... that would be something good to target.  Find out how deep the fish/bait are most active, then go fish some submerged structure at that depth.

[reerok]

Great advice.  I've noticed those submerged bridges and roadbeds on the map.  I believe the roadbeds have mostly silted in as I haven't found them with my Helix.  I've not actually targeted the bridges tho and I'll spend some time trying to find them.

I have fished the southern end of the lake including large rip-rap sections extensively with not much luck.  I'm going to try to spend more time at the northern end (nearer the dam).  The lake has almost zero current at the southern end.  Perhaps up closer to the dam there will be more although I have never once fished it while the dam was generating water (at least that I know of).

We've had a stretch of cooler nights lately so I'm hoping when I get to the lake this weekend that the water temp will be in the 70s after a long hot summer.  If so I'm going to target the transition points into some creeks and bays.

Interestingly DNR lists smallmouth as inhabiting the lake.  It is a very rocky lake and one that seems like perfect (at least for Ohio) habitat for smallies.  I have, however, never seen a smallie there or heard of anyone catching one.  

[WIGuide]

I'd 2nd the advice by @flyingmonkie and add that the there are a few mid lake points that don't look like they'd be bad to try either. Given that you have a decent locator, I'd be looking for any sort of structure to the lake bed. It doesn't look like there is much on the map and it seems like the lakes that don't have much fish will be drawn to smaller more insignificant structure. Something like a 1 or 2 foot depression on a flat somewhere might hold 3 or 4 fish, or a small ditch will have fish congregated in it.