Fishing a New Lake

Fishing a new lake can be a great learning experience, that every angler needs to try. It can be very rewarding and also extremely frustrating. Launching your boat on an unfamiliar lake for the first time can be very intimidating to most anglers. I look at it as a learning experience. I always look forward to fishing new places. 

The first thing I do is try to get a good map of the new lake I want to fish. These simple maps will show you the launch sites and any structure throughout the lake. It will also show you the contours and drop-offs that exist. These maps will give you a starting point. I always like to have a simple game plan before I arrive. One tip I can give you is that I always start shallow and work deep. Start by working any cover or weed lines along the shore first and gradually work deep. I usually work all visual cover first. Downed trees, rocks and weed beds. If nothing is happening shallow, I start moving out, and work all the points and drop-offs. If you aren’t catching fish, don’t get frustrated. It usually takes at least four or five times to figure things out. 

I actually have launched on a new lake with no rods in the boat, that’s right no fishing stuff what so ever. I spent all day just looking at my electronics, and marking way points, for my next visit. By not having any rods in the boat, keeps you focused on the depth finder.

Put your time in and you will figure it out. I have a favorite lake for bass that took me quite some time to figure out, but I finally did. I now can go there and catch fish on every outing. I know people that won’t fish that lake because they never catch any fish. It is a great confidence builder when you finally figure it out and can catch fish regularly. You may get skunked in the beginning, but if you keep at it, you will figure it out.