how to find fish on lake???

[aquafang]

What is the best approach to finding fish on a lake? I have access to a vexilar. I have this spot that no-one else fishes and everytime We go we only seem to catch a couple fish, but they are 1.5 to 2.25lb. perch. It would be great to find where the fish are and have fun! I have heard of the "x" system.
Thanks, for any info
'fang

[Guest]

Fang,

I see you live in SD--I fish NE SD frequently and use the SD DNR provided lake Topo maps you can download from their web site.

If you're fishing some of the smaller recently flooded sloughs for Jumbo Perch it's best to find the deepest water first and just drill holes, give it 15-20 minutes and if you don't catch anything substantial, move. The key is mobility, so choosing a day that is condusive to this type of fishing is critical. If the weather is bad, you have a tendency to stay put once set up.

On the larger lakes a Topo Map is key. Key in on the ends of points or deep water areas close to the flooded trees, e.g. Waubay, Cattail, Buffalo Lakes. Stay mobile here too.

We've been getting limits of Jumbos on Waubay in 28-30ft. recently and some great 'Eyes during prime bite times.

We find the best Perch in the winter are deep, especially as winter progresses.

If your budget allows, pick up the Polar Vision Hand Held Depth Finder. This tool allows you to walk around specific transition areas, mark depths and drill holes as needed all along these break lines and points.

Good Luck!

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Chells

[aquafang]

Thanks Chells, that's good info. I'll try it.
'fang.

[Scott Steil]

Auqafang, those are nice perch. I also fish mainly NE SD. Usually I take two approaches to the lakes. I either decide to go after numbers or size. You seem to be fishing one of those spots that puts out Monsters. I like these kind of spots. However, there are a lot of spots and lakes that will give up a lot of eater size perch. Take a look at the lake you are fishing, maybe you are on the wrong lake. If you want to email me I can give you some spots where you can get some eater size perch 9 1/2 to 11 inches in NE SD.

[email protected]

[aquafang]

Fished all day on Saturday. very nice and no wind. I was able to move around the lake and look for deeper holes. Couldn't find anything deeper than where I had already caught fish. Never marked a fish. went back to where I was set up and caught a 13 1/4" perch at noon and then marked another at 2:00 . But that one would not take the bait. Found some submerged trees in about 10' of water. would perch be there even if the rest of the lake is about 5 to 6feet deeper? I didn't mark any fish in that area though.

[Guest]

Fang,

Judging by your report, you are fishing the best spot on this Slough. My experience tells me that you're only dealing with a total depth change (around the flooded trees) of 5-6 feet.

Question, is your deepest hole relativly close to the trees? If so, I'd be inclined to drill a series of holes between the two spots and move around.

Short of that, I'd say you're fishing is limited to a small number of Perch that reside in this lake and when they're gone, they're gone. You get the hungry ones when they're ready to bite and the others just look at your bait.

Are you fishing one of the private sloughs adjacent to or around Cattail or Buffalo?
I know some of these private waters have some monster Perch and occasional 'Eyes that managed their way into these sloughs during the floods of Spring '97.

I don't expect you to give details, but I am curious. We've had some tremendous days on some of these spots but they got so busy that the land owners "booted" everybody that wasn't a relative or a personal friend and I'd love to get back on some of them sometime.

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Chells