This season I made a commitment to myself, to fish ponds and lakes that I have never fished before. With about 2,500 lakes and ponds in Maine. I figured it wouldn’t be too difficult to find some viable watersheds that I haven’t fished before that will produce some nice fish for my creel. Attempting to catch fish in a water shed that you have never put a pole in can be challenging. You will need to do a little homework and put your talking hat on and then the rest is up to a little luck.

Here are a few tips that have helped me fill my creel this season!

There is a great FREE website that I use every time before I hit the water. This website is from the Dept. of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife State of Maine. This site will give you a depth map, physical characteristics, fish that inhabit the watershed, and a little history of the watershed. www.maine.gov/ifw/fishing/lakesurvey_maps/

Talk to the folks that live on or around the watershed. Don’t be shy to ask where they are catching the fish or what they are using for lures or bait. This will substantially increase your odds of putting something in your creel. From time to time you will run into to a local or fisherman that just wont give it up. We will need to respect that…

The local country store. Most of these country stores have a fishing section that is specific to the ponds or lakes local to them. This is a great way to see what the locals are using. (These stores will usually only put on the shelves what sells.) Again don’t be shy to ask questions. These folks in the country stores usually like to talk and can give you a lot of info.

The local bait shop. If you can wait to purchase your bait at the local bait shop around were you are fishing, It would be to your advantage. These guys hear it all. What the folks are catching, where, and how…. These places can be a gem of info.