Winter fishing from the bank
Power Plant, warm water discharge lakes (not nuclear or fissionable power plants), as well as moving water are best for fishing without ice cover that may occur in colder months in other lakes. (a warm water discharge lake can be both – warm and moving water). Add to That: If you can, start at the furthest point away from the discharge area and walk around the shore-line with a casting depth finder/surface temperature reader tied to your fishing line like a Deeper Sonar unit, to find the closest you can get in water temp for several species “Preferred Temperature Range”.
That preferred temperature range is about 65 degrees for Walleyes, Large Mouth and Small Mouth Bass, as well as others – even Shad and such as their prey (any other prey larger predators might eat). Couple that with examining bottom using a castable Deeper Sonar unit, contour maps if available. Look for areas that have an abrupt drop off, or water current break, no matter the drop off or edge depth (sometimes a matter of a couple of feet will do the trick).
In addition, look for weed growth (if any) or look at the shore line to spot changes in dirt, foliage, or types of growth, tree roots, or heavy shade from trees, or changes such as rock formations or even rock coloring or configurations, or what have you. Those situations will more than likely take that visual “Change” out into the underwater scheme of things. These are merely more “Edges” to look for. Then triangulate your findings to see where several or all of such comes closest together or overlaps with one another.
It’s all about fishing areas where all these “Edges” come together as much as possible (water temp – drop off – moving water. Bottom color, bottom humps, bottom humps, etc.). Then, try a Shad live or Imitation Lure, or a Slip bobber/night crawler rig – set at various depths until you hit the 3-dimensional Honey Hole. After you finish for the day, pick up good size shore rocks and pitch them out to where you caught most fish. The next time you go there those rock piles you’ve created will act as a further fish magnet. Remember to not trust time – do the temperature reading, etc. again every time you go back to that lake.
RjZ
P.S. All of this, North or South – East or West – even at higher or lower altitudes, with a little adjustment for seasons and depth, weather/wind direction, and such can be used on any lake anywhere practically all year long.
By Richard Ziert
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