FINALLY!!! Need help on where

[redmexican5081]

Between the unrelenting winds, cold wether, and my wife’s weekend work schedule, I have yet to get out this year.  This weekend is it, nice weather gentle breeze, I’M GOING FISHING.

Now for the fun part, where to go?

I have 2 places that I have a fairly good idea of what the pond is like and have reports from friends about water temps. I can only access both with a canoe, there are no public ramps to put a boat in. I fish these ponds regularly but never this early in the season.  Numbers and sizes are about equal in both ponds when I fish during the late spring, summer and fall.

Pond 1 is a 13 acre pond at the start of a river system and is currently flooding into the thicket/heavy brush around the perimeter. Water levels are up about 2-3 feet above the traditional bank line.  Rain is forecast for tonight and tomorrow so I expect it to get a bit higher but not much.  Water temps are 50ish and Fish and Game recently stocked the river above and below the pond with trout.

 

Pond 2 is a 50 acre body of water that is still in its winter drawdown but is slowly filling, currently it is about 2 feet below full pool. Water temps are 52ish. This is a pond i grew up on fishing and know where all the stumps, trees, and sandy banks are. 
 

Where would you go and how would you approach it?

[ethan-333]

I’d go to the second picture and try that flat in 6 feet of water next to the deep hole, or the long Flat point in between “Pads” and “sand”

[detroit1]

I would fish pond #1 first.  Much shallower / warmer...fish SHOULD be more active. Fish them both a few times and remember your results for next early spring.

[Oregon Native]

Enjoy either

[Bankbeater]

Sounds like your weather has been like ours.  I would go with the 2nd pic and target those deep holes first and then target shallower cover or structure after that.

[Bird]

I like the diversity of 2nd lake. 

Water temps in the 50's is ideal for Jerbaits.

Go to section of lake the sees the sun the longest.