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