fishing tips Archives

How to Fish in New Water

Posted on April 12, 2022April 8, 2022 Camille Smith

Photo courtesy of Freshwater Vacation Rentals

If you’re a lake homeowner and angler, chances are, you know your lake very well. You know exactly what time to wake up to get on the water, you know what times the fish are biting, and you know what sloughs to try for good luck. However, when you’re exploring a new lake for the first time, you might feel uncertain. How do you know where to start? Whether it’s a large or small lake, the same rules tend to apply for fishing in new water.

Do Your Research Beforehand

Before you arrive, learn as much about the lake as you can! The internet is a wealth of knowledge with maps of topography, online resources, and blog posts. Additionally, there are plenty of videos (like this one for Lake of the Ozarks) of anglers who are familiar with your lake area. Locally, you can also gather intel from your neighborhood bait shop or other community lake resources.

Assess the Season and Temperature

Without knowing a new lake, you can rely on the general rules of seasonality and temperature, which play a huge role in the location of fish — no matter the lake! It’s important to consider both factors, as they intersect with one another. In winter, fish seek out the warmest waters available. Due to lake stratification, the warmest spot on cold days is at the bottom of the water. However, if there’s a spike in temperature, they’ll swim toward the center of the lake. In spring and summertime, it’s best not to fish in deep water when instead, fish will be spawning in shallower areas.

Pay Attention to Environmental Micro-Changes

The best anglers know that these rules about seasonality are simply guiding principles, rather than infallible truths. It’s just as important to keep a keen eye on the micro-changes in the environment — the day-to-day differences on the lake. For instance, if you’re in a heatwave but there’s a sudden cloudy day, fish will take the opportunity to feed, which in turn, is an excellent opportunity for you to fish. Micro-changes also include adjustments in water level. For instance, when water levels rise, fish gravitate closer to the shallow shoreline waters.

Know Your Type of Bait Fish

On any lake, an essential part of fishing is knowing what bait to use. On an unfamiliar lake, the best way to gauge this is by observing the baitfish that your target is already chasing after. Have you noticed a group of minnows around the dock? Or white suckers swarming in one particular slough? These observations clue you into what your target fish is after, and you can choose similar bait that will lure them in.

Take a Bird’s Eye View

When fishing in new water, many anglers make the common mistake of stopping at one intriguing area of the lake. They see a slough they like, turn off the motor, and stay there. However, there are many benefits to surveying a larger portion of the lake first! This tactic will help you understand the lake on a holistic level, learn the ideal hiding spots for fish, and ultimately improve your ability to quickly understand and fish on a new lake.

We hope these tips help you reel in more fish, as you explore your next lake area!

Best Practices for Catch and Release Fishing

Posted on September 18, 2020January 13, 2021 Camille Smith

Photo courtesy of the National Park Service.

Fish and wildlife experts disagree on the ethics of catch and release fishing. According to PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals), it’s cruel. Their opinion is backed by the research of scientists like James Rose, who told the New York Times that fish do feel a little pain.

However, proponents of catch and release fishing assert its conservation benefits. According to the National Parks Service, it allows more native fish to remain in the water and reproduce in the ecosystem. Some lakes such as Deerfield Lake and Westcolang Lake only allow catch and release fishing for this reason. Whatever your stance on this controversy, if you decide to try it, it’s important to do it properly to decrease fish mortality risk.

We talked with Greg Gerlich, assistant regional director for the fish and aquatic conservation program in the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to learn best practices. Based on his expertise and research as a fish biologist, he feels that “done properly, catch and release can be a way to enjoy fishing, particularly for people who don’t want to harvest the fish. It’s also very rewarding.”

So, before grabbing your fishing rod, consider these best practices for catch and release fishing.

Stick to Active Fishing

As opposed to passive fishing (e.g., nets, longlines, and traps), active fishing involves intentionally watching your contraption (e.g., fishing hooks and seining). With active methods, fish are less likely to swallow the bait and stay on the hook for too long. This is safer because when anglers are consciously paying attention to their bait, it’s easier to bring in a fish quickly and release it.

Gerlich adds, “Another key point is that you don’t want to overplay the fish and fight to exhaustion. It’s also important to make sure your line is sufficient weight and quality to bring in fish quickly.” Essentially, active fishing helps with speed and reaction time. The faster you can reel in the fish, the faster you can release it.

Limit the Fish’s Time Out of Water

To reduce the fish’s stress and ensure survival, minimize its time out of water. This shorter interval involves thinking ahead of time. Get your line, tackle, and bait in order, pre-plan your photograph, and make sure your hands are wet to reduce the loss of the fish’s protective mucus. Then, lift the fish efficiently for a quick photo and immediately release it into the water.

A few tools can help enable a quicker release. According to the National Parks Service, artificial lures are the best choice for catch and release fishing because the hooks are easier to remove. Barbless hooks are much easier to remove. Plus, according to one Florida study on snappers and groupers, there’s no difference in catch rates between barbed and barbless hooks. Overall, stay mindful of handling the fish as little as possible.

Keep the Species in Mind

The impact of catch and release fishing differs depending on your lake’s biodiversity. Gerlich warns, “You don’t want to practice on species in water that is pushing their psychological tolerance.” One example is trout fishing. According to Gerlich, water above 70 degrees negatively impacts trout, especially if they’re stressed. Avoid trout fishing in these warm waters.

Similar precautions apply to fish that reside in deep water. A deep-water fish has limited time to acclimate to each water stratification level when you’re reeling them in. According to South Carolina Coastal Resources, this is called “barotrauma,” referring to a body part or organ’s injury due to sudden changes in barometric pressure. Snapper and grouper are most commonly affected by barotrauma. To remedy this, use descending devices to return fish to their homes at lower depths.

Do Your Research

If you aren’t sure what precautions to take for the fish in your lake, educate yourself. If you’re on a private lake, talk to the homeowners association and connect with other anglers. If you’re on public waters, contact the state’s fish and wildlife management agency and your local fisheries.

Especially if you’ve just bought a lake home and you’re new to the area, it’s important to inquire about best catch and release practices in your area. Gerlich adds that sporting stores and fly fishing shops are excellent resources for anglers too. “It’s their business to know what fish are out there,” he says of guides at fly fishing stores.

Are you an avid angler at your lake house? What other catch and release fishing practices have you adopted?

Be a Friend to the Fish – Sink Your Christmas Tree

Posted on December 26, 2019December 17, 2019 Staff

Lit Christmas tree in lake surrounded by snow capped mountains — *Photo courtesy of* *Missoulian*.

After all the hype of the holidays, one thing is for sure: our homes are overrun with mangled wrapping paper, boxes and our now-naked Christmas trees.

For some, their trees can simply be packed up and thrown in the attic until next year – the convenience of an artificial evergreen. But for many others, disposing of their living holiday decor can be challenging.

Luckily for those who love the lake, there is a simple solution: sink your old Christmas tree at your favorite fishing hole!

Benefits of Sinking

An approved disposal method by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and conservation biologists, sunken trees are great for creating natural fish habitats in your local ponds and lakes.

Once sunken, recycled Christmas trees become havens for a variety of freshwater wildlife, including small insects, snails and mussels.

These tiny organisms attract fish who feed on them, like minnows and craw fish, who in turn, attract such species as bass, blue gill and crappie.

One tree can become an entire ecosystem with an estimated lifespan of up to 10 years, which is not only great for lake life, but for fishing enthusiasts too.

Sinking Methods and Tips

Person disposing of Christmas tree in lake for fish habitat — *Photo courtesy of* *St. Louis Public Radio*.

Trees are naturally buoyant, so sinking one requires a little extra weight.

Most commonly, it’s best to remove a few limbs from the base of the tree, exposing enough of its trunk that it can be inserted into an empty 5-gallon paint bucket. Once fitted in the container, pour cement into the bucket and allow to set, effectively securing the tree to its weighted base.

Alternative methods include wiring cinder blocks to the base of the tree’s trunk and securing the tree to the cinder block with cement, similar to the paint bucket method.

For optimal fishing, anglers recommend removing several limbs to allow space for larger fish to swim through and inhabit. Spaces between six inches wide and eighteen inches wide yield the best variety of sizes.

Additionally, trees should be fully submerged year-round to ensure the habitat will remain viable for as many years as possible. Year-round submersion also helps to conceal your fishing hole’s location from other anglers.

Drop-Off Locations/Donation Centers

Christmas tree lake donation and drop off center — *Photo courtesy of* *USACE*.

Before sinking your Christmas tree, check with your local department of natural resources, lake management entity, or area conservation office to make sure Christmas tree recycling is permitted on your lake.

Many of these organizations can also tell you where you can find designated drop-off locations for anglers who don’t own boats or have a way to transport their trees to deep waters.

These areas include donation centers and parks and recreation offices, ranger stations and boat ramps. Lake lovers can also put their trees out by the road for pickup in many areas.

Self-sinkers are encouraged to dispose of their trees in areas near creek channels, ledges and drop off points, and should be sure to ask their overseeing organizations if GPS coordinates for their drop-off sites must be submitted for recording purposes.

For more tips for this holiday season, read “Tips for Celebrating Christmas on the Lake“.