| Fishing Unfamiliar & Fly-in LakesThere is a feeling of | | | | be without a portable depthfinder when fishing an |
| satisfaction and accomplishment - the pride of craft - | | | | unfamiliar lake or river. Depending on its capabilities, the |
| that comes with a successful day's fishing on a new, | | | | graph (apart from displaying the bottom contours and |
| unfamiliar or fly-in lake, whether it is a limit of bass, a | | | | water depths) can provide other important data to help |
| few walleyes for shore lunch, or a trophy pike. Not | | | | you in your survey, including:breaklinedeep-water |
| because putting fish in the boat is the measure of a | | | | basinsfish / baitfishbottom "content"structural |
| successful outing, but because that success underlines | | | | specificswater temperaturetrolling speedProductive |
| the fact that the angler has effectively adapted to the | | | | TacticsHey, we are fishermen, not cartographers - so |
| existing fishing situations and conditions, making | | | | let's go fishing ! At the risk of oversimplifying the |
| necessary changes in bait / lure selection, | | | | strategies used to explore and fish an unfamiliar lake, |
| presentations and locations. That, in itself, is no small | | | | break down your approach as follows:prepare the |
| feat, even at fly-in lakes which supposedly teem with | | | | "working map"parcel the lake into manageable |
| naive fish. Let me assure you that we always breathe | | | | sectionscover water quicklyuse a variety of lures / |
| a sigh of relief (even on fly-ins) after having caught a | | | | techniqueseliminate unproductive waterpinpoint fishing |
| few fish for that first shore lunch. Once that initial | | | | "hotspots" update the map continuously> |
| success has been realized, the rest of a fishing trip | | | | Parcel Up the Lake / RiverIt's easy to be |
| takes care of itself.Plan to succeedPre-trip Research | | | | overwhelmed on a new lake, especially larger ones. |
| & PlanningUpon ArrivalA Working MapProductive | | | | Instead, divide the lake into more manageable sections, |
| Tactics | | | | and treat each as if it were a separate lake. As each |
| On new lakes, you need a systematic approach that | | | | boat explores, fishes, and maps a section, information |
| will greatly improve the chances of near-immediate | | | | is shared and. Later, checked out by the others to |
| success and good catches, even when fishing an | | | | verify the findings. Even very large lakes can be |
| unfamiliar lake - given the fact that time is almost | | | | quickly cut down to size using this approach. However, |
| certainly a limiting factor. To maximize your time and | | | | if there is only one boat and five lake sections, start |
| enjoyment of a day's fishing or a remote trip, you need | | | | with the most promising or highly recommended |
| a system. Here's the Ontario Fisherman's oft-tested | | | | section in order to get on fish quickly and to avoid |
| and proven approach.Pre-trip Research & PlanningIn | | | | wasting valuable time checking out "empty water" for |
| spite of the fact that most fly-in and many | | | | half the trip. |
| road-accessible lakes offer great fishing opportunities, | | | | On rivers, this system is especially easy and effective. |
| anglers should develop and execute a plan for fishing | | | | Devoting a half-day to each stretch provides diversity, |
| any unfamiliar lake. Without such a strategy, too much | | | | yet still allows for more time to be devoted to the |
| time on a short trip can be spent searching for fish or | | | | "best" spots later.Cover Water Quickly In a relatively |
| prime locations. Notice that I did not say "wasted". No | | | | short time you will want to explore, fish and map a |
| systematic survey of a lake should be considered a | | | | designated portion of the lake with hopes of locating |
| waste of time - even when fish are not caught.One | | | | the most productive spots in that section. To do this, |
| key to finding fish consistently is to quickly eliminate | | | | move quickly - trolling fast-breaking shorelines, casting |
| "empty" water, and one way to do that is through trial | | | | exposed shoals, working along weedlines with |
| and error. Better, though, to spend as much time as | | | | spinnerbaits, spinners or spoons. If fish are caught, it |
| possible actually fishing a promising or proven location. | | | | may be an area deserving of a slower, more precise |
| This can be best accomplished with a two-pronged, | | | | attack later. First, however, finish the surveying task |
| strategic approach - one prior to the trip; the other on | | | | you set out to accomplish. Mark it on the map and |
| the water.Before putting the boat in the water, | | | | come back later.Similarly, if a promising or |
| "explore" the destination lake on paper through the | | | | recommended area comes up empty, switch tactics |
| examination of available maps and charts. Many times, | | | | or return to it late in the day (as you re-visit the |
| gaining a thorough knowledge of the lake and the | | | | hotspots identified over the course of the day). Fishing |
| identification of potential hotspots can be accomplished | | | | live baits, drifting approaches, backtrolling, float and still |
| without even getting in the boat.Check available map & | | | | fishing are too slow for this part of the hunt but will |
| chart sources, including:MNR-produced "fishing maps" | | | | serve you well later as you probe key spots more |
| lodge / camp fishing & navigation mapsMNR stocking | | | | slowly and thoroughly.Eliminate Unproductive Water It's |
| lists & maps resource management plans topographic | | | | said that "you can't make a silk purse out of a sow's |
| maps hydrographic / lake-bottom contour maps | | | | ear", so don't waste precious fishing time on "empty |
| resources maps & plans (e.g. logging) maps prepared | | | | water". On the working map, cross out shallow back |
| by previous groups canoe / hiking route maps maps | | | | bays choked with weeds, areas with "ooze" bottoms |
| prepared by local clubs sanctuary maps & notices | | | | or less than six feet of water. Abandon shorelines |
| aerial photographs & satellite images | | | | which slope gradually to deeper, regular bottoms. |
| Speak to others with experience on the lake, | | | | Forget most of the lake's deepest basins (more than |
| including:local anglers MNR district fisheries personnel | | | | 25 feet). Forget casting to reeds growing atop sand |
| guides / charter operators suggested references (by | | | | bars under just two or three feet of water. This |
| phone) | | | | approach will effectively eliminate more than two-thirds |
| Immediately after booking a trip work through the | | | | of most lakes and will not only save you time and |
| above lists - a task easily managed if your group | | | | frustration, but will also assure that most of your |
| shares in the research. Besides, it is actually fun trying | | | | precious fishing time is spent in more productive |
| to figure out the lake, sight unseen and even better | | | | areas.Of course, there are exceptions to every |
| when you discover that some of your assessments | | | | example stated above - bass in the slop, early season |
| were correct. And, having done some of the "leg | | | | pike in the shallows, lake trout in the depths, but most |
| work" prior to the trip, you will have considerably more | | | | are seasonal movement patterns, which, in turn, help to |
| time for a thorough "on-the-water" survey once you | | | | eliminate other areas which might be better during a |
| reach your destination.Upon ArrivalArriving at your | | | | different part of the fishing season. Pinpoint & Mark |
| departure point or fly-in airbase, the work begins again. | | | | Prime Spots / Cover / Structures With much of the |
| Now is the time to ask others about the destination to | | | | lake already eliminated during the initial scouting |
| which you are headed, including:outfitter / air service | | | | process, keying on the lake's prime spots and |
| personnel bait & tackle shop proprietors cottagers, | | | | structural features should be much easier now. Fish |
| campers, canoeists fishing / conservation club | | | | promising or recommended spots slowly and |
| members lodge operator / guides camp clientele | | | | thoroughly. When a good spot and good catches |
| (especially repeaters) | | | | come together, accurately mark the spot in your GPS |
| A Fly Over If your group is flying into a remote | | | | unit, with a floating marker buoy or carefully triangulate |
| outpost or lodge, ask the pilot to do a "fly over" of the | | | | the exact location using nearby and obvious landmarks. |
| lake(s) you will be fishing. With a rough, photocopied | | | | Immediately mark them on the working copy of the |
| outline map in hand, look for and mark | | | | map (in colour).Update the Map Either for your own |
| any:congregations of boats adjoining back lakes | | | | use on subsequent trips, as a favour to groups that |
| inflowing / outflowing streams shoals, sunken islands, | | | | follow, or as a courtesy to the outfitter, keep the map |
| pointslarge weedbeds / weedlineslog jams / shoreline | | | | up to date as it has considerable value to all parties |
| coverrapids, damslodge / cabin location | | | | involved. Mine come in handy when I summarize fishing |
| Previous Party Info Upon arriving and unpacking, with | | | | trips for magazine articles and for the countless |
| map in hand, talk to departing anglers about the lake, | | | | inquiries I receive each year via e-mail. Show me |
| the fishing, and the camp, including:fishing hotspots | | | | yours, and I'll show you mine !Arranging and planning |
| proven baits & tactics reasonable expectations | | | | the annual fishing trip for the "boys" or your family is an |
| (numbers, size) boating hazards boats & motors camp | | | | important and demanding task at the best of times. |
| gear & appliances portages / trails to back lakes shore | | | | When daring to venture to unfamiliar destinations, the |
| lunch site(s) bait availability / minnow traps sanctuary | | | | uncertainties regarding the details and the fishing |
| areas | | | | opportunities are accentuated still further. This season, |
| A Working MapBy now, that rough outline map could | | | | when the time comes to head out to that unfamiliar |
| be pretty marked up, hopefully with useful bits of | | | | lake or river, have your homework done, a "working |
| information and locations that will make those first | | | | map: at the ready, and a strategic approach for |
| outings on the lake safer and more productive. Take a | | | | surveying and fishing the lake in mind. Anxieties will be |
| few moments to re-draw the map more precisely , | | | | lessened, the chances of success heightened. And, as |
| and give each "boat" in your party their own map to | | | | you have, no doubt, heard and read many times, |
| record useful findings. As the map develops, it won't | | | | confidence plays a very large part in any successful |
| be a pretty sight, but its value will be inestimable later | | | | fishing outing. But now you are ready! Enjoy your |
| and on subsequent trips. As you fish and explore the | | | | trip.Online since 1998 by long-time OFM field editor, Bill |
| lake or river over the course of your stay, mark on the | | | | Rivers, the Ontario Fisherman is now taking on a new |
| map:fishing hotspots landmarks / hazards current | | | | look, but remains committed to showcasing "the best |
| flows & direction good shoreline stretches prime cover | | | | of Ontario sportfishing". |
| areas mid-lake weedbeds structural elements Never | | | | |