Help on how to fish this? Also confused on “main lake points , creek channels , flats,” please help

[Ksam1234]

So the main lake I fish had a broken dock and it finally opens up next week. Now that I have a decent fish finder with down image and side scan and more electronics I want to be able to fish this properly.  I’m confused on some things like fishing a “main lake point” or to fish the “creek channel” .  I assume a flat is exactly that. An area whether it’s deep or shallow but an area that is flat level for a wide range of distance. But what is the way you would fish this lake? Here are some pics to help.. I have plenty of deeper stuff and shallow tackle at my disposal. There are bass , northern pike and Muskie that I would love to target. 

[bigbassin']

Creek channels tend to be a term more applicable to reservoirs rather than natural lakes, which based on those topos you are dealing with a natural lake.

 

Main lake points are often less common on natural lakes than reservoirs, however it looks like there is on at the bottom center of the lower lake. If there’s any cover at all in the area it would probably be a good place to start.

The mouths of the creeks entering/exiting the lakes should get some attention as well, current helps regulate oxygen and creates ambush spots were predators can wait in the slack water for bait to drift by in the current.

 

Depending on time of year and how strong the current is in those creeks, bass, shad, and panfish may all move into the creek to spawn.

[Ksam1234]

10 minutes ago, bigbassin' said:

Creek channels tend to be a term more applicable to reservoirs rather than natural lakes, which based on those topos you are dealing with a natural lake.

 

Main lake points are often less common on natural lakes than reservoirs, however it looks like there is on at the bottom center of the lower lake. If there’s any cover at all in the area it would probably be a good place to start.

The mouths of the creeks entering/exiting the lakes should get some attention as well, current helps regulate oxygen and creates ambush spots were predators can wait in the slack water for bait to drift by in the current.

 

Depending on time of year and how strong the current is in those creeks, bass, shad, and panfish may all move into the creek to spawn.

Thank you that does help, I have caught fish all in the random places but I found never really establish a pattern. I’ll try that point I see where it pushes out and see what happens.  

[Bankc]

The whole purpose of looking for Creek channels and points is to identify areas where the depth changes quickly.  The reservoirs near me don't have Creek channels or many points because they weren't made by damming a river, but instead by diverting a river into either an old quarry or just a deep valley.  Still, the best places to find most game fish are the areas near any kind of cover (trees, grass, docks, etc) that lies near those points of fast elevation changes.  On those maps, those will be the areas where the  depth indicator lines are closest together.  

 

So while much of the traditional terminology may not apply to your lake very well, the concept is still sound.  You're basically just looking for objects under the water that are close to both deep and shallow water.  

[Deleted account]

I need some help finding the secondary points on a retention pond in my neighborhood...

[Glenn]

Check out this video. It explains - and shows- exactly what you're asking about.

 

 

[Jleebesaw]

This time of year I would start with the creek for sure. When I starts warming up that point someone else mentioned looks good, but I would definitely work the hump between the 2 holes just above that point to. That's probably the best spot on that lake in the summer heat. Sneak up on the point from one side or the other so you are moving toward open water with the point on one side of you. Cast out towards open water and when you get to the tip of the point, stay to the side and cast across the underwater point. Don't approach points from open water towards shore. I see lots of people do that, but I feel like it's a bad idea.

     Once you get past the point, just keep moving out and cast across that hump.  Drag lures shallow to deep. Circle around and do the same thing from the other side from beside the point, all the way over that hump.

 

 That's what stands out to me on that map anyway. Also, there is another hump between 2 holes on the upper part of the lake too. Now that you have a graph, you are going to want to play around fishing offshore. I know I did. Now it's my favorite way to fish.

[WRB]

Quick glance at the 2 natural lakes shows the major structure elements to start with are the break line. Channels don’t exist. Points obvious on the lower, underwater point at the north end, also 1 on the upper lake following the 5’ break line forming underwater point*, lower right side*. 

Both lakes have deep holes with 15’-20’ benches separating them. Benches hold predator fish like Musky and Pike.

The points should hold bass, even the small underwater 5’ -10’ breaks forming underwater structure.

Pike like inlets & outlets.

Bass in a natural lake tend to hold near inside weeds edges, Musky the outside zones.

Tom

* best looking areas.

[Ksam1234]

1 hour ago, Jleebesaw said:

This time of year I would start with the creek for sure. When I starts warming up that point someone else mentioned looks good, but I would definitely work the hump between the 2 holes just above that point to. That's probably the best spot on that lake in the summer heat. Sneak up on the point from one side or the other so you are moving toward open water with the point on one side of you. Cast out towards open water and when you get to the tip of the point, stay to the side and cast across the underwater point. Don't approach points from open water towards shore. I see lots of people do that, but I feel like it's a bad idea.

     Once you get past the point, just keep moving out and cast across that hump.  Drag lures shallow to deep. Circle around and do the same thing from the other side from beside the point, all the way over that hump.

 

 That's what stands out to me on that map anyway. Also, there is another hump between 2 holes on the upper part of the lake too. Now that you have a graph, you are going to want to play around fishing offshore. I know I did. Now it's my favorite way to fish.

Thank you very very much, now I understand a lot more about these points you mention. That makes sense on how to fish jt always. I know the one lower point is above water but I didn’t realize the other point that is obviously underwater. I’ll attempt to fish it like you said and come from the sides. You want to hit the sides then the point from shore to open water gotcha.  Yes I want to learn how to fish offshore as I know it holds bigger fish and honestly most of the people I see around here just beat the bank over and over so I bet the deeper fish don’t get touched often with lures. And thank you @WRB  I didn’t notice that at all.  I wasn’t sure if that was a point or not. I will try that and fish those deeper areas for the Muskie or pike! 

[Ksam1234]

1 hour ago, Glenn said:

Check out this video. It explains - and shows- exactly what you're asking about.

 

 

This is very very informative thanks !!

[Biglittle8]

12 hours ago, Ksam1234 said:

So the main lake I fish had a broken dock and it finally opens up next week. Now that I have a decent fish finder with down image and side scan and more electronics I want to be able to fish this properly.  I’m confused on some things like fishing a “main lake point” or to fish the “creek channel” .  I assume a flat is exactly that. An area whether it’s deep or shallow but an area that is flat level for a wide range of distance. But what is the way you would fish this lake? Here are some pics to help.. I have plenty of deeper stuff and shallow tackle at my disposal. There are bass , northern pike and Muskie that I would love to target. 

I used to fish this lake, a loooong time ago. I lived in Arkwright for ten years. Read Tom's post, good advice!

[Ksam1234]

3 hours ago, Biglittle8 said:

I used to fish this lake, a loooong time ago. I lived in Arkwright for ten years. Read Tom's post, good advice!

No kidding small World , and which one is Tom LOL, I read all

of the people who commented snd and willing to give it a shot 

[Biglittle8]

Just now, Ksam1234 said:

No kidding small World , and which one is Tom LOL, I read all

of the people who commented snd and willing to give it a shot 

Screen name WRB. He knows his stuff. Do you fish Chautauqua lake at all?

[Ksam1234]

3 hours ago, Biglittle8 said:

Screen name WRB. He knows his stuff. Do you fish Chautauqua lake at all?

I have fished it a couple times but not so much luck, I would love love to learn to fish Chautauqua. I have caught a couple bass out of there this spring but it’s huge ! So much space to pick from. Have only gone twice so I can’t say much about it. 

[BassNJake]

Great advice so far.

That underwater point WRB mentioned in the top lake(looks like a lizard head) has it all with a side with flatter drop off, and a deep drop off, with a little "bump" off the top side that drops straight to the deepest water in the top lake. I also like down the west side there is a smaller flat area less of a point but more like a bump that drops to deep water after 10 feet. 

 

 

I have a seasonal game plan and then check my electronics to see where the fish seem to be located

Then I try to find structure and/or cover at that depth.

 

 

 

[Ksam1234]

1 hour ago, BassNJake said:

Great advice so far.

That underwater point WRB mentioned in the top lake(looks like a lizard head) has it all with a side with flatter drop off, and a deep drop off, with a little "bump" off the top side that drops straight to the deepest water in the top lake. I also like down the west side there is a smaller flat area less of a point but more like a bump that drops to deep water after 10 feet. 

 

 

I have a seasonal game plan and then check my electronics to see where the fish seem to be located

Then I try to find structure and/or cover at that depth.

 

 

 

That is what perfect thank you so much for adding to that. Now I know what your taking about and using the picture and arrow. That makes a lot of sense. I really want to learn this lake as it has everything I need to fish. 

[BassNJake]

12 minutes ago, Ksam1234 said:

That is what perfect thank you so much for adding to that. Now I know what your taking about and using the picture and arrow. That makes a lot of sense. I really want to learn this lake as it has everything I need to fish. 

When I was tournament fishing I found that many of the better spots were the tiny ones that the shoreline gave no indication they were there. Some sort of deeper underwater depth change. This is where the good mapping programs shine with their detail.