LOW WATER OPPORTUNITIES

In Addition To Great Fishing, Low Water Offers A Chance To View Structure Invisible Next Spring

 

The dry weather conditions of late summer present an opportunity for us ground pounders. The lack of rainfall causes local rivers and lakes to have lower water levels and present a clear view of shoreline structure.

To the more sophisticated angler this is a time to cruise the shoreline and plan next years fishing trips. The lower water exposes all of the structure in shallow water near the banks. In the spring the higher water floods the structure and the fish look for it. In the structure, they wait in ambush, for hapless baitfish.

Lakes and rivers vary in the amount of their structure. For the ground pounder smart enough to get out and record the viable structure it is an advantage for the following spring. Fall is a time to take a picture or video tape and mark locations of the structure on maps for future reference. Locations are marked. It is also a good idea to note the specific kind of structure that is found there as well.

On some lakes there boat docks, old piers, pilings, sunken boats, chunks of concrete. Old seawalls of wood or concrete are difficult to find, but the rotting wood provides areas for growth of algae, which in turn attracts bluegill and other panfish. Bass feed on those bait fish.

Concrete and rip rap provide rocky structure. Old wooden piers that are bad for people are good for fish. Fallen trees dot the shorelines of many lakes.

Brush can often be found in channels and feeder creeks. Any brush with 12 inches of water under it is a good place to look for fish. Water so shallow is often overlooked by anyone not accustomed to fishing such an area. During scouting of low water in the fall for spring fishing locations, if you cannot see the bottom, then you are not shallow enough.

Do not ignore junk in the water. The seasoned angler will not pass up such structures as old tires, and other man made junk. Patience is the key to finding fish structure.

Good maps are available locally for virtually all lakes. Most local bait shops and marinas have them at a nominal cost. These maps can be marked with the location of the structure so that next year you can go right to them. They can then be found even though they are underwater in the spring.


                                                      Don Gasaway - The Ground Pounder