Lakes and Ponds
Lakes and Ponds can be thought of as just very large Pools. The most obvious difference is that, there is little or no obvious current flow. Each body of water has an inlet and outlet but there are some lakes and ponds that receive and discharge water by way of underground aquifers. Because of the volume of water, these bodies can withstand certain negative environmental factors. Like their cousins, these bodies of water contain specific natural foods, water sources, physical structures and the same environmental influences. All these characteristics will determine the numbers, species and general health of the fish stock.
Obviously these bodies are much deeper than your typical pool. Therein lies a problem and it's critical that you understand this concept. As you know, all living life forms require sunlight to survive. Well, you can imagine that not all areas of the water column in these lakes and ponds would receive enough sunlight penetration because of the depth of the water. Sunlight will only be effective in water depths of up to 25 or 30 feet. So areas that are deeper will not receive the beneficial effects of light in order for both aquatic vegetation and aquatic insects to be abundant. This is why your imitations of these aquatic insects will only be effective in the areas that have a water depth of up to 30 feet. In the areas that exceed that depth, you fishing strategy will change to the type of life form that would survive in those conditions.
This area of water that is no deeper that the 30-foot depth is called the Literal Zone. Lakes and Ponds that are shallow and spring fed tend to have the best fishing. The fish will be both larger and healthier. In general, the ease of finding food, better water quality and less water, land or air predators makes these bodies of water fish friendly.
Take note of any wind direction because this wind will blow all surface food items to a particular windward area of the Lake or Pond. Look for the evidence of waters that feed into the Lake or Pond. These feeder brooks and tributaries carry food items and deposit them into the larger body of water. Fish will actively seek out these areas for free meals carried along by these feeding waters. The area that allows for smaller waters to flow into the larger body of water is called an inlet. The system that allows the overflow to escape the Lake or Pond is called the outlet. Some Lakes and Ponds don't visible outlets or inlets but still receive and expel water by means of an underground aquifers or springs. These areas can be very important during times when the water temperature reaches the uncomfortable range for fish. These fish will seek out the cooler temperature of the spring holes and if you know where they are, fish are waiting for your offering.
The typical forms of foods in these Lakes and Ponds are: aquatic insects, small fish, crustaceans, snails and leeches. If you check the areas that are about 10 feet in depth, you'll find aquatic vegetation. These aquatic plants will provide protection for leeches, crustaceans, snails and small fish. Fish will be found around Inlets, Coves, Arms, Weed beds, Ledges, Islands, and Flats and along the shoreline where there are overhanging vegetation. The fish will cruise all these areas looking for food. The only two areas where the food will come to the fish are Inlets and the windward side of the Lake or Pond.
Reading these waters is much like reading the river or stream. The difference is, that since the water depth prevents the observance of the bottom or the velocity seams of current speed changes, you have to rely on the shoreline observations to tell the conditions existing below the surface of the water. You are looking for food collecting opportunities for fish, such as, Inlets, Outlets, Coves, Arms, Aquatic Vegetation, Overhanging shoreline vegetation, Ledges, Islands, protruding objects and other structures that will provide feeding opportunities for the fish. By observing the shoreline, you can also get a feel for whether the slope and angle of drop offs will be gradual or sharp. All of these observations can make the unseen very visible to the trained angler.