Trying New Lakes

[zoops]

What's your approach when trying a lake for the first time? Say there's not other boats around to follow the crowd, and no topographic maps available, etc.

 

[Sluggo]

If it's spring or fall I would pay attention to the water temp, notice how it differs from one area to another. I always start on the windy shore. Try a shoreline that drops quickly, then a shallow flat, then a point, rocks than weeds.....just make small moves until you find what you are looking for. Fish fast to begin with, slow down if that doesn't work.

 

[KDM]

For smaller lakes, I crack a cold one, turn on the depth finder, throw out a crank, and drive. When I find something interesting I'll stop and jig it to see what's what. For bigger lakes, I look at the shoreline and fish where I think there might be structure and subsequently hold fish.

 

[Kickemup]

I'm a fan of trolling cranks on a lake I don't know. Once I start popping fish I'll pitch a jig or vertical fish off the side of the boat.

 

[huffranger]

All good points, I have my boy trained to look for grebes we call them walleye birds. They hunt some of the same food as WAE so it helps break down water.

 

[jdinny]

i would find shallow weed edges and go to town with some of the above mentioned tactics be it jigging, trolling live bait or cranks. these small lakes you speak of often to times do not have great depth and lack of structure to relate to so weed lines/edges generally work well

my ole man popped a 28" yesterday in 8F)W trolling live bait on one of these lakes.