First winter bass fishing

[12thManStanding]

I'm struggling to identify potential bass hang outs during winter at the lakes that surround me.  I've watched many videos online that talk about what to look for when looking at bathymetric maps, but I'm struggling and could use some advice on what areas may best to try during the winter.  These crater created lakes are much different than the lakes in the south, and unfortunately the videos I've found have been from people who live in the south/midwest.  I've attached a map of one of my local lakes with spots I've highlighted green, where I think the bass may be during the winter.  I just don't know how deep they may want to go.  I'd like to do as much research as I can before going out on the boat, and would love some advise or counsel.  Thanks!

[Bluebasser86]

Looks like a fairly small lake so you should be able to cover a good portion of it pretty easily. Personally, I'd start where you have those tight contour lines close to shore. I would say starting about your furthest mark up the lake and working down that side where that fast drop is near the shoreline and should also be catching the warmest sun of the day, should be a good starting point. As for depth, that can vary wildly depending on a lot of variables. I rarely catch a winter bass deeper than 10' deep in the lakes I fish. If I head south a few hours to Ozark lakes, it's not unusual to catch them 70+ feet deep. That will be one of the pieces of the puzzle you'll have to figure out. One thing I can say, is that if you mark vegetation, try to find the deep edges and fish that.

[Bankc]

My local lakes don't ever seem to fit the profiles of the standard lakes that most of the articles and advice you read online apply to either.  Mine are lowland, man-made reservoirs, fed by underground pipes without underground outlets that feed nearby water treatment facilities.  They're deep and muddy with very little cover.  There are no creek channels and very little structure, other than the dam itself.  

 

What I've found the best thing to do is to just get out there with your fish finder and run around, checking various areas.  The steep transition zones are always a good place to start.  Just look for fish and schools of fish.  Get a read of what's out there.  Find the depths at which they are holding, and the types of structure they seem to like.  Then look at your maps for other similar areas to check out.  Look for patterns to narrow it down.  What you're trying to do is eliminate areas with no fish.  None of that means that you'll find fish that are actually active and willing to bite, but at least you're not casting into barren water.   

 

Bathymetric maps and online advice can help give you clues on where to start, but they're just a small fraction of what you need to consider.  Your best source of information will come from experience of that particular lake, either from your own or from others who fish it regularly.  

[12thManStanding]

Thanks Bluebasser86 and Bankc for the advice, and I'm anxious to get out there and see what I can find on the fish finder.  I'll definitely start on the north end of the lake and work my way southeast and parallel to the drop off.  It's my understanding that I should position the boat a bit off the steep banks, and cast over the drop off to higher ground and retrieving the lure down the steep embankment.

 

I've found bass fishing a very unique hobby that scratches so many areas for me.  I love the challenge it brings and the potential it has for landing that personal best fish!  Appreciate the community here and how friendly everyone is and how willing people are to share advice to new bass fisherman like me. ?

[roadwarrior]

If casting into the shallow water doesn't work, try casting deep and bringing your

lure up the slope. 

[Darth-Baiter]

Look for sign on the fish finder.  Bait and those suspicious toenail clipping looking things - arches. 

[12thManStanding]

I do need to pay more attention to the fish finder.  I have a tendency to get excited to be out on the water, and end up trolling down the bank fishing around and under docks.  I've got a 12' aluminum boat with only an electric trolling motor.  There are many small lakes near me that don't allow gas engines.  Most of the ones we've fished have been around 20-60 acres, but the one above is 150 acres.  So max speed for me and my son in the boat is about 3 mph, so it does take us some time to get around the lake.  This next trip out, I think I'll head to some possible spots and scan them first to see what around before I cast a line in.

[huZZah]

I only fish from bank and I fish some small local lakes (man made...poorly) that are 10-12ft at deepest. I have caught bass in the 1-3ft open shallows when it’s been 30-35 degrees all week.  The fish aren’t always where they “should be.”

 

Sometimes I walk the entire lake skunked and sometimes they’re right there shallow when they shouldn’t be.