Lake Maps - Reading and Understanding?

[highcountry]

Often times in reading through these forums I see many people writing about the value of "lake maps". I myself have a hard time

looking at a map of a new lake and feeling confident enough to put in the effort to try it! I have heard most the "terms" used when discussing breaklines etc...but am having a hard time

putting them to something on a map. My questions is what if FM would have a forum to discuss lake maps: reading and understanding the elements to look for. I myself could use help in this area as I am sure many people could. Im not looking for spots on any certain lake, I'm looking for the confidence to put a plan into action! Im far from lazy, just short on free time.

I have fished the same lake for several years because of the comfort factor! I would appreciate any feedback or support!

[late night]

I have the same thoughts sometimes. Always going back to the same spot because I know I have caught fish there before. But it is fun when you look at a map and see a sharp break or what-not and go try it and it actually works! I think the best thing to do would be to get a map of a lake, go there with an aqua-vu and look down. Spending a whole day on the lake just looking would probably teach you more about the lake and whats in it than just fishing one spot on the lake over and over for years. But then again, most people only have so much time to fish let-alone spend a day just looking.

[PerchJerker]

Lake maps will get you started in the right direction, but you need to actually be on the water to see what the bottom is like (hard or soft, rocks, gravel, sand , muck, etc), if there's weeds, if there's fish there, and if you can get them to bite.

The map features to look for can change with the fish species, body of water, and time of year.

A simple example of what you can see on a map would be the mud flats on Mille Lacs, they are the only structural features in much of the basin of the lake. But when you look closer you will notice other features, the next most obvious being points, outside bends, and inside bends in the contour lines. Those types of features should be easy to identify on a good contour map.

Other types of structure you can look for may not be as obvious - deep basins with soft bottoms for example, or steep breaks heading up to flats, or saddles between other structural features.

The best way I know for you to learn how to read a map is to be with someone that knows how to read a map and have them point out some structural features. Perhaps if you go to an area baitshop and ask them to point out some things on map they'll get you started. Another idea is to look at the map for well known fishing spots, like the "community holes", and try to figure out what's going on there.

Hopefully this helps a little, good luck.

[blueroof]

Highcountry, great question. The type of structure to look for varies from lake to lake.

My best advice would be to get a map of lakes you are familiar with. When out fishing, bring them along to get an idea of the type of structure you've had previous success fishing and the type of structure that others are fishing.

A gps is a great tool for this, you can check out the types of structure that continually have villages setup with multiple shacks and portables year after year. You can use that information as a starting point, then try to locate your very own structure away from the crowds. Over time you will find all sorts of places to try and new lakes won't seem so daunting.

good luck! LB

[Chode2235]

The lake map in and of itself is a tool to be used. Fish, of all species, make seasonal movements in correspondance to thier biological and predatory functions. For example when crappies spawn in the spring the can be found on shallow sand and pebble flats, or in the winter the suspend over deep lake basins following schools of minnows and plankton.

A lake map is only helpful in the context of fish behavior. Knowing those two facts about crappie behavior suddenly make a lake map valuable. Oh, there is a shallow flat over there, lets check it out.

Also, most fish species make daily movements into the shallows to feed and back deeper during the day. When trying to take advantage of this it is helpful to find 'transition areas' where the lake quickly moves from shallow to deep water. The lake map is helpful here again. Places where the contour lines are close together and quicker transitions. Think of them as ambush points, much like places you would set up your deer stand.

Of course it can be much more complicated than that, but I want to stress that fish location is highly correlated with their behavior. You need to understand what the fish are doing, and why they are doing it. That will logically lead you to isolate places in the lake where they are likely to be based on the behavioral conditions. The lake map then becomes useful for identifying these areas, and navigating to them.

I personally find much solace in the In-Fisherman model of Location+Behavior+Presentation. All three of these factors need to be considered in the context of each other.

There are many great books on the subject as well. The Hunting and Fishing Library books are great as they have excellent photography and illustrations, as well as the In-Fisherman books. Ah, the academics of fishing.

I hope this helps.

[highcountry]

Thanks for all your guys input! Sounds to me like the only way to know for sure is to make time to get out on the ice. Oh well, didn't care for my job that much anyway!