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Matt Johnson from Matt Johnson Outdoors is writing a great series and is allowing us to post it here. If you don't know Matt, stop in at Thorne Bros and chat with him sometime. Matt is one of the best anglers and writers about angling in the Upper Midwest. He also runs a summer and winter guide service as well as running the Ultimate Panfish League which is an ice fishing tournament series.
Metro Lake Showcase – New Lake Weekly!!!
This topic is not intended to "kill a lake" or show off particular hot spots. The idea is to define different pieces of structure on a given body of water to better understand fish patterns. The idea behind this topic is to showcase a new lake every week and explain the different types of structure the lake contains... also throwing in a few useful pieces of fishing info too.
So... Week 1 is Linwood Lake in Anoka County and here is the chosen piece of structure we will be breaking down...
As you can see, this is your typical “hole” spot… or is it? Most anglers would head straight for the hole and set-up, and rightly so. However, I encourage you to pay closer attention to what’s going on throughout the surrounding area.
Spot “C” is the obvious part of the equation. You have the “hole” and like mentioned, most will flock to this area to target suspended crappies and even bottom-hugging walleyes. Why does this spot hold fish? One big reason is overall comfort. Deeper holes provide oxygen and space, space oftentimes equates to schooling fish and “comfort in numbers” comes into play. Deeper holes also draw out different bottom-content and it’s common to have insects and other plankton-type organisms present in high numbers… this all means food for the fish. Very common to see spots like this turn into “window” spots, meaning there is a window bite (time-wise) as to when fish generally put on the feedbags.
Moving outward you have spot “D”… or actually two spot “D’s” on the map. For me, these are considered the entry zone for where fish might locate at or near a “hole.” These spots play a very important role when dealing with these types of structure. One, fish will sometimes hold in these spots because the bottom-content is right and will find the first break to hold to off a major flat (as you can see there are large, expansive flats to both the east and west of these breaks). And two, once fishing pressure picks up on spot “C” you can expect pods of fish to move out onto spots “D” to seek refuge and comfort. In my opinion, spots “D” play a bigger role once mid-winter rolls around and generally produce better catches as well.
Spot “E” can be looked at in a similar manner as spots “D”… except it acts as a wall for predator fish (in this case both crappies and fish with teeth) to push/trap baitfish when looking to ambush. It also offers the steepest first break in the hole (given the map contours are correct) which can sometimes be that “hot spot” on areas such as this map. You also have a point to the south which can more often than not give off a different bottom-content where it means the basin… all things that make this spot shine. While it’s still part of the hole, it serves several purposes and can be a good feeding spot for fish to use.
Moving away from the hole itself, you have spot “B” which again serves as a food-line for the fish. Some of the deeper water fish will move up onto spot “B” while others will never leave spot “B” all season. Spots like this generally have weeds and if the weeds stay green you can expect to find fish… more commonly sunfish and pike (also bass). That’s not to say some of my biggest crappies in the Metro don’t come from shallow weed spots too. The reason this spot stands out (other than it’s a massive underwater point/bar) is because of the available deep water nearby. You can bet fish will use it a one time or another and if you can find a spot to hold fish it can usually pay off.
Switching gears completely, we find ourselves sitting on spot “A” and spot “C” on the map. Both of these resemble inside turns and at the given depth can usually mean weed-orientated. Spot “F” is still somewhat relating to the deep hole… as you’ll find fish migrating that turn to move into (and out of) the hole at any given time. You can also expect pods of sunfish to hold on spots like “F” to longer periods of time as well. Spot “F” is one of those spots that usually go unnoticed by most and almost every lake has one. Is it a spot where punching one hole is enough to get the job done? … probably not, at least not at first… but if you put some time in and find where it indeed makes a bend then you usually end the day with a smile. Spot “A” is also an inside turn, but not relating to the hole and more isolated. However, this type of spot is another one that oftentimes goes unnoticed but can be incredibly productive. Spots like these force fish to stop and you oftentimes have an abrupt change in bottom structure (also a good chance for finding rock and/or gravel which really draws in baitfish). Spots like “A” are another spot where opening up the auger reigns in a must. Bottom line here—spot “A” and spot “F” need more attention on the lakes you fish.
Regardless of how you look at this map, you need to take into account the importance that deeper water plays. If fish are not on or in deeper water then they are usually nearby. Don’t be afraid to use deep water as a starting point for locating new water… and fish!
Metro Lake Showcase – New Lake Weekly!!!
This topic is not intended to "kill a lake" or show off particular hot spots. The idea is to define different pieces of structure on a given body of water to better understand fish patterns. The idea behind this topic is to showcase a new lake every week and explain the different types of structure the lake contains... also throwing in a few useful pieces of fishing info too.
So... Week 1 is Linwood Lake in Anoka County and here is the chosen piece of structure we will be breaking down...
As you can see, this is your typical “hole” spot… or is it? Most anglers would head straight for the hole and set-up, and rightly so. However, I encourage you to pay closer attention to what’s going on throughout the surrounding area.
Spot “C” is the obvious part of the equation. You have the “hole” and like mentioned, most will flock to this area to target suspended crappies and even bottom-hugging walleyes. Why does this spot hold fish? One big reason is overall comfort. Deeper holes provide oxygen and space, space oftentimes equates to schooling fish and “comfort in numbers” comes into play. Deeper holes also draw out different bottom-content and it’s common to have insects and other plankton-type organisms present in high numbers… this all means food for the fish. Very common to see spots like this turn into “window” spots, meaning there is a window bite (time-wise) as to when fish generally put on the feedbags.
Moving outward you have spot “D”… or actually two spot “D’s” on the map. For me, these are considered the entry zone for where fish might locate at or near a “hole.” These spots play a very important role when dealing with these types of structure. One, fish will sometimes hold in these spots because the bottom-content is right and will find the first break to hold to off a major flat (as you can see there are large, expansive flats to both the east and west of these breaks). And two, once fishing pressure picks up on spot “C” you can expect pods of fish to move out onto spots “D” to seek refuge and comfort. In my opinion, spots “D” play a bigger role once mid-winter rolls around and generally produce better catches as well.
Spot “E” can be looked at in a similar manner as spots “D”… except it acts as a wall for predator fish (in this case both crappies and fish with teeth) to push/trap baitfish when looking to ambush. It also offers the steepest first break in the hole (given the map contours are correct) which can sometimes be that “hot spot” on areas such as this map. You also have a point to the south which can more often than not give off a different bottom-content where it means the basin… all things that make this spot shine. While it’s still part of the hole, it serves several purposes and can be a good feeding spot for fish to use.
Moving away from the hole itself, you have spot “B” which again serves as a food-line for the fish. Some of the deeper water fish will move up onto spot “B” while others will never leave spot “B” all season. Spots like this generally have weeds and if the weeds stay green you can expect to find fish… more commonly sunfish and pike (also bass). That’s not to say some of my biggest crappies in the Metro don’t come from shallow weed spots too. The reason this spot stands out (other than it’s a massive underwater point/bar) is because of the available deep water nearby. You can bet fish will use it a one time or another and if you can find a spot to hold fish it can usually pay off.
Switching gears completely, we find ourselves sitting on spot “A” and spot “C” on the map. Both of these resemble inside turns and at the given depth can usually mean weed-orientated. Spot “F” is still somewhat relating to the deep hole… as you’ll find fish migrating that turn to move into (and out of) the hole at any given time. You can also expect pods of sunfish to hold on spots like “F” to longer periods of time as well. Spot “F” is one of those spots that usually go unnoticed by most and almost every lake has one. Is it a spot where punching one hole is enough to get the job done? … probably not, at least not at first… but if you put some time in and find where it indeed makes a bend then you usually end the day with a smile. Spot “A” is also an inside turn, but not relating to the hole and more isolated. However, this type of spot is another one that oftentimes goes unnoticed but can be incredibly productive. Spots like these force fish to stop and you oftentimes have an abrupt change in bottom structure (also a good chance for finding rock and/or gravel which really draws in baitfish). Spots like “A” are another spot where opening up the auger reigns in a must. Bottom line here—spot “A” and spot “F” need more attention on the lakes you fish.
Regardless of how you look at this map, you need to take into account the importance that deeper water plays. If fish are not on or in deeper water then they are usually nearby. Don’t be afraid to use deep water as a starting point for locating new water… and fish!
