Fishing Unfamiliar & Fly-in Lakes

Fishing Unfamiliar & Fly-in LakesThere is a feeling ofbe 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, awater depths) can provide other important data to help
few walleyes for shore lunch, or a trophy pike. Notyou in your survey, including:breaklinedeep-water
because putting fish in the boat is the measure of abasinsfish / baitfishbottom "content"structural
successful outing, but because that success underlinesspecificswater temperaturetrolling speedProductive
the fact that the angler has effectively adapted to theTacticsHey, we are fishermen, not cartographers - so
existing fishing situations and conditions, makinglet'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 smallbreak 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 breathesectionscover water quicklyuse a variety of lures /
a sigh of relief (even on fly-ins) after having caught atechniqueseliminate 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 tripParcel Up the Lake / RiverIt's easy to be
takes care of itself.Plan to succeedPre-trip Researchoverwhelmed on a new lake, especially larger ones.
& PlanningUpon ArrivalA Working MapProductiveInstead, divide the lake into more manageable sections,
Tacticsand treat each as if it were a separate lake. As each
On new lakes, you need a systematic approach thatboat explores, fishes, and maps a section, information
will greatly improve the chances of near-immediateis shared and. Later, checked out by the others to
success and good catches, even when fishing anverify the findings. Even very large lakes can be
unfamiliar lake - given the fact that time is almostquickly cut down to size using this approach. However,
certainly a limiting factor. To maximize your time andif there is only one boat and five lake sections, start
enjoyment of a day's fishing or a remote trip, you needwith the most promising or highly recommended
a system. Here's the Ontario Fisherman's oft-testedsection in order to get on fish quickly and to avoid
and proven approach.Pre-trip Research & PlanningInwasting valuable time checking out "empty water" for
spite of the fact that most fly-in and manyhalf 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 fishingDevoting a half-day to each stretch provides diversity,
any unfamiliar lake. Without such a strategy, too muchyet 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". Noshort time you will want to explore, fish and map a
systematic survey of a lake should be considered adesignated portion of the lake with hopes of locating
waste of time - even when fish are not caught.Onethe most productive spots in that section. To do this,
key to finding fish consistently is to quickly eliminatemove quickly - trolling fast-breaking shorelines, casting
"empty" water, and one way to do that is through trialexposed shoals, working along weedlines with
and error. Better, though, to spend as much time asspinnerbaits, 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 onyou 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 therecommended 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 thehotspots identified over the course of the day). Fishing
identification of potential hotspots can be accomplishedlive 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 stockingslowly and thoroughly.Eliminate Unproductive Water It's
lists & maps resource management plans topographicsaid that "you can't make a silk purse out of a sow's
maps hydrographic / lake-bottom contour mapsear", so don't waste precious fishing time on "empty
resources maps & plans (e.g. logging) maps preparedwater". On the working map, cross out shallow back
by previous groups canoe / hiking route maps mapsbays choked with weeds, areas with "ooze" bottoms
prepared by local clubs sanctuary maps & noticesor less than six feet of water. Abandon shorelines
aerial photographs & satellite imageswhich 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 personnel25 feet). Forget casting to reeds growing atop sand
guides / charter operators suggested references (bybars 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 theof most lakes and will not only save you time and
above lists - a task easily managed if your groupfrustration, but will also assure that most of your
shares in the research. Besides, it is actually fun tryingprecious fishing time is spent in more productive
to figure out the lake, sight unseen and even betterareas.Of course, there are exceptions to every
when you discover that some of your assessmentsexample stated above - bass in the slop, early season
were correct. And, having done some of the "legpike in the shallows, lake trout in the depths, but most
work" prior to the trip, you will have considerably moreare seasonal movement patterns, which, in turn, help to
time for a thorough "on-the-water" survey once youeliminate other areas which might be better during a
reach your destination.Upon ArrivalArriving at yourdifferent 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 tolake already eliminated during the initial scouting
which you are headed, including:outfitter / air serviceprocess, 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 clubpromising or recommended spots slowly and
members lodge operator / guides camp clientelethoroughly. 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 remoteunit, with a floating marker buoy or carefully triangulate
outpost or lodge, ask the pilot to do a "fly over" of thethe exact location using nearby and obvious landmarks.
lake(s) you will be fishing. With a rough, photocopiedImmediately mark them on the working copy of the
outline map in hand, look for and markmap (in colour).Update the Map Either for your own
any:congregations of boats adjoining back lakesuse 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 / shorelineup to date as it has considerable value to all parties
coverrapids, damslodge / cabin locationinvolved. Mine come in handy when I summarize fishing
Previous Party Info Upon arriving and unpacking, withtrips 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 hotspotsyours, and I'll show you mine !Arranging and planning
proven baits & tactics reasonable expectationsthe annual fishing trip for the "boys" or your family is an
(numbers, size) boating hazards boats & motors campimportant and demanding task at the best of times.
gear & appliances portages / trails to back lakes shoreWhen daring to venture to unfamiliar destinations, the
lunch site(s) bait availability / minnow traps sanctuaryuncertainties regarding the details and the fishing
areasopportunities are accentuated still further. This season,
A Working MapBy now, that rough outline map couldwhen the time comes to head out to that unfamiliar
be pretty marked up, hopefully with useful bits oflake or river, have your homework done, a "working
information and locations that will make those firstmap: at the ready, and a strategic approach for
outings on the lake safer and more productive. Take asurveying 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 toyou have, no doubt, heard and read many times,
record useful findings. As the map develops, it won'tconfidence plays a very large part in any successful
be a pretty sight, but its value will be inestimable laterfishing outing. But now you are ready! Enjoy your
and on subsequent trips. As you fish and explore thetrip.Online since 1998 by long-time OFM field editor, Bill
lake or river over the course of your stay, mark on theRivers, the Ontario Fisherman is now taking on a new
map:fishing hotspots landmarks / hazards currentlook, but remains committed to showcasing "the best
flows & direction good shoreline stretches prime coverof Ontario sportfishing".
areas mid-lake weedbeds structural elements Never