There are a few place to fish, you could fish from the shore of a river or in a small pond or lake. Any where there is a natural body of water with everything to sustain life, there are fish and other aquatic animals. Whether you are ice fishing, river or stream fishing, from a boat, or in a lake or pond, you will need the right gear an fishing poles. You will need a regular pole (not a fly fishing rod) and reel for the fishing we are doing here, you can use a spinning reel (more experienced) or bait casting reel (less experienced).

Here are some techniques used when fishing

Still Fishing– Still fishing can be done from any where, you can fish from the shore, a dock or pier, or an anchored boat. It can be done at the bottom or near the bottom of any lake, pond, or still part of a river or stream.

Drift Fishing– Drift fishing is done in a boat and this can help you reach other areas and habitats you could not reach from a shore or dock. Drift fishing is when you let the current or wind movements control your boat. You can use live bait or lures-bobbers or cast and reel, drift fishing can let you do a variety of fishing styles for different species.

Live Lining– This also requires a boat but you anchor it in a river or stream. You can use live or other kinds of bait, all you want to do is keep it just off the bottom. You will be able to get your bait into spots you normally could not. Spots like cracks, holes, and drop offs, these are a few places where fish like to hide.

Trolling– This is kind of like live lining but reverse. This you use a trolling motor on your boat and drop your line into the water and let the motor create the movement. A trolling motor is almost silent so you will not scare the fish. You can even troll off of the shore or long pier, this is not as effective as on a boat but still works to some degree. The bait and depth all depends on what you are fishing for.

Jigging– This can be done from anywhere, it is the action you do with the fishing pole. You create a bouncing or back and forth movement after you cast out and let your jig sink to the bottom or close. Then just tip your fishing pole up about a foot and then let it down again, that is it. This takes a little practice so do not get frustrated, just keep practicing.

Ice Fishing– This is where you drill (never cut) a hole in the ice and fish through it. Some do it in a permanent shack, portable shack, or just in the open air. You do not need a fancy fishing pole for this type of fishing. This is a little more of a waiting game since the fish are much less active in the winter. It is nice to have company, a heater, and something to do in the down time.

Here are a few places to look for the fish and when :

  • Cliffs and drop offs make good spots to find fish. You will want to look for over hangs on the cliffs or rocks at the base of the cliff (if you can see in the water). A shear cliff or steep shore bank with no coverage will not have fish at it. Shallow water gradually leading to deeper water with a drop off will bring fish from deeper water to that edge. They will be looking for food so this will be a good place to fish.
  • Weed beds, lily pads, and sunken object are real good places to look for fish. They provide good shelter for little fish as well as big fish. Insects and other creatures use lily pads and weed beds to lay eggs, this will bring smaller fish in turn bringing bigger fish. Lily pads also create shade, so look here on a hot day.
  • Outside bends in rivers are a good place to look for fish. The fish are looking for food there because the current pushes all the smaller prey to the edge. Look for one with a tree or rocks in it to slow down the current, more food will collect there.
  • Rock pockets are a good place for fish. They like the clam water that is created when water splits around the rock. They will face up stream on the down stream side of the rock, right behind it.
  • They like inlets and merging areas also. They will at the point where the two streams or rivers meet or in the calmest area of the inlet.
  • Under cuts are an excellent place to look for the big fish. This is where the river or stream has cut out a area under the shore area, this is the perfect cover from all predators.

In the spring and fall you are not going to get much biting until the water warms up. Remember to fish on the downwind side of where ever you are this way the warm water will be blowing towards you.

In the summer it is best to fish before and after mid-day. The fish head to the bottom or where ever it is cool to avoid the hotter water, so if you are going to fish during the mid day make sure you fish the shady spots or deep areas.