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