Im making a map of a specific lake that is very low on water. What do I look for?

[Wizzlebiz]

As the title states I am making a map of a local pond/lake in my area.

 

Currently the water levels are extremely low. Here in Northern California it goes about 6 to 8 months with no rain. Then it comes fairly hard and fast for the rest of the year. 

 

Currently I have a decent view of land that will be covered with water come November.

 

What are some of the things I should be looking for to mark off for good fishing spots once the water levels are higher? 

 

Please feel free to unload all you know. The more info the better! 

 

Also want to say thanks for all the help as of this point. You all have turned fishing into catching for me and I trully appreciate it. 

[CarpCasey]

Humps, rip rap, sunken trees, stump fields, basically everything you can see honestly. 

[Team9nine]

 

[Wizzlebiz]

8 minutes ago, Team9nine said:

 

Unfortunately it is not that low. I cant see humps and such. When I got back Il snap some pictures to show what I mean. 

 

When I say low I mean it is receded probably a good 150 feet from the high point. But still has plenty of water in it. It is mostly grass that is laying down where it has receded.  But just from your post I can already think of a couple of spots to mark so thank you very much!

[schplurg]

My local lake has a deep channel that runs along the otherwise shallow length. It snakes around a lot too. No watercraft allowed or else I'd have that thing mapped good. Well if I had a fish finder maybe  

 

I agree with the poster above who said "everything you can see"

[Wizzlebiz]

2 hours ago, schplurg said:

My local lake has a deep channel that runs along the otherwise shallow length. It snakes around a lot too. No watercraft allowed or else I'd have that thing mapped good. Well if I had a fish finder maybe  

 

I agree with the poster above who said "everything you can see"

This lake as well is no craft what so ever. Bank fishing only. Im considering getting one of those casting fish finders. I dont have a boat yet anyway so I will probably make good use of it. 

[Hammer 4]

Wizz, you may want to try goggle earth, if the water is clear enough you can zoom in and see all kinds of stuff. Worth a shot, and it's free.

[Wizzlebiz]

6 minutes ago, Hammer 4 said:

Wizz, you may want to try goggle earth, if the water is clear enough you can zoom in and see all kinds of stuff. Worth a shot, and it's free.

I am certainly going to check that out. Thank you!

[Deleted account]

Depending on the contour of the lake and how low it is you may or may not get a lot of intel, but points, breaks, edges, cover and like said above, anything else you might see. We had a lake lowered to fix a dam for 2 seasons, really opened up my eyes, and as a plus, concentrated the fish when it was lowered. fished completely differently.

[scaleface]

Also look for featureless areas and any irregularities there . A stump  on a flat for instance , would be a high percentage spot . I dont know how to go about   marking it . Maybe arrange some rocks on bank .

[TnRiver46]

Sometimes you can find old topo maps if you look hard enough 

[papajoe222]

The first thing to make note of is any point within casting distance and its contour. Another thing you should look for is areas where the bottom composition changes. Areas that you can see where the grass line ends are the easiest to spot, but, with lake levels down, you can sometimes see where a muck bottom changes to gravel or rock.  

Keep in mind when you’re mapping where you’ll be standing and casting from when the water level returns to normal. 

[WRB]

First rule of looking at a lake drawn down is look at only the structure and wood cover located at depths you normally fish. Finding a isolated rock pile with stumps is worthless in 100' of water golden in 15'-30' of water. Narrow your search to depth you fish.

Tom