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!

This week we find ourselves targeting a larger variety of structural items but this snapshot shows some similarities to the hole we just previously went over on Linwood Lake. The below picture is a snapshot taken on Bald Eagle Lake in Ramsey County…


As most of you know (at least those of you who fish the Metro), Bald Eagle doesn’t get hit hard by too many anglers… um… ok, I might be lying a little there… on the contrary, Bald Eagle gets pounded most ice fishing seasons by anglers targeting everything from perch to panfish to walleyes to pike… it’s a fish (and fishing pressure) factory. Let’s break down some of these spots and try to understand—as a team—how fish might relate to certain areas and why…

Let’s start with spot “C” on the map. You can’t tell from this map, by spot “C” is a hole… in fact the deepest water on this entire snapshot (the “C” icon is covering the contours). So, as we’ve seen with the Linwood map earlier, spot “C” is going to see some fishing pressure and you can bet fish will (now, but mostly in the past) relate to this spot. While anglers talk about fish being caught, you can bet early ice was a much better bite on spot “C”. However, spot “C” offers excellent information on where to move when looking for a starting point. The point to the south (which should really have a marker on it now that I think about) is a good place to look at as one of those “feeding” areas where you might find fish during twilight periods. Walleyes and pike will push baitfish onto these spots, maybe not right on top, but near the structure. As you move down both sides of the point, you can find a two-fold migration route for fish to move on and off the structure. While it’s common for fish to slide from the deepest portion up, it’s not uncommon to have fish slide onto a piece of structure from all angles. Don’t negate the fact that gamefish will use the west, north and east sides of this underwater point. Moral of the story: get out the auger and go!

Moving outwards, spot “D” basically depicts the first major break leading into the basin of the lake. While this map is a crude drawing of what really happens, at least it shows an example of what can (and does) happen in a lake like this. Basically what you want here is a spot where the expansive flat (on this map the 13-14’ range) starts to drop into the basin. On this map you can expect to find it starting in 16’ (again, assuming this map is correct). Spot “D” doesn’t necessarily depict the “hot spot” but an area to start punching holes. I like to start in these areas and work towards the main basin (in this case starting at spot “D” and heading west). I pay attention to changes in bottom composition and make waypoints where things change… these are your transition areas and can be gold if looking for cruising fish, because these transition lines draw in the right bottom content to produce food… hence fish will follow. This is a prime example of finding go-to spots where visible structure doesn’t play a role. Again, get out the augers and don’t be shy.

Moving back further towards the west we run into spot “B” on the map. This spot in a main lake hump… something I become more and more fond of as we venture into this time of year. A lot of the fish that were once in the shallows, hanging onto green weeds and oxygen, have now moved out to relocate… and structural areas like humps, reefs, etc, are prime spots to seek out. Remember those fish in spot “C” that were once stacked up in early ice but moved out? This spot (spot “B”) is one of those areas they will oftentimes relocate to. Pressure pushes fish out of an area and over onto a new area, usually structure if it’s available. One thing I want to note here though, the area between spot “B” and spot “C” oftentimes get overlooked, but I’ve run into situations where these areas can be some of the hottest spots in the lake. If you can find any sort of depression or subtle change, you can bet fish will hold to it. However, spot “B” again provides a change in depth and the available nearby deeper water… if spot “B” was to raise up high enough in the water column to hold weeds then you’re really onto something and might have found a spot to call home.

Since we’re moving west already let’s just keep going and talk about spot “A” on the map. This spot is another one of those underwater turns that can stop fish while on migration routes. Usually spots like this on a map will have hard bottom off the tip and you can sometimes key in on those spots and find fish of all types. It’s also the first major turn off prime pieces of “feeding” structure where fish might use as a secondary spot. And, as mentioned before, if weeds are present then it’s just that much better. The important thing to note about these types of spots is that most fishing pressure is somewhere else on the lake… and more me, I prefer to break away from the crowds and seek unpressured fish… plus blazing your own trail and finding success can really turn a good day into a great one!

Moving back to the east we’re forced to look at spot “E” on the map. Now, this spot is only being picked on because if the map is indeed true and the depth drops that fast from the shore/point, then you can usually find fish. Most points (at least it our part of the state) don’t drop so fast like what is shown in this picture (and to be honest, that point doesn’t really drop that fast), but for the sake of this topic let’s pretend it does. So… with points come hard bottom, and if you have a nice shallow weed bed with rocks scattered within it then you can find some hot crappie action, even during midwinter. If the weeds are green and the forage is there, big crappies usually follow suit. It’s not uncommon for me to find some of my biggest crappies of the winter in water less than 10’ in areas similar to this. Available deep water… good shallow structure… recognition of forage… all the right elements of holding big fish.

Last, but not least, spot “F” on the map. This spot is mostly there to get you thinking. Another depression amongst the large, expansive flat is basically what this depicts. If your basin fish decide to go on a vacation then these spots usually light up. The most important spot on this map? Maybe not, but still something to keep in your arsenal in case you feel like really lighting up the auger and chasing down some fish. For those long days on the ice, spot “F” eventually gets hit by me… and on some days I wish I hit it first.

Basically this snapshot shows a lot of what we deal with in the Metro Area. Shallow and deep structure. Points, holes, humps, turns, breaks… a great smorgasbord of spots that hold fish. Granted these maps don’t always hold true, but based on the map given we can at least break down some key areas and have a better understanding as to what and why fish do what they do.

I know many of you have fished Bald Eagle, so what other insight do we want to touch on when looking at this snapshot???