Ok, so, If bass usually go deep in winter and summer what do they do if it is a shallow water lake where the deepest section is only 7ft. and average depth is only about 5ft?

They will go to the deepest part of the lake. They can survive winter anywhere where it is more than 2ft deep. That's what I have read.

They will go to the deepest part of the lake. They can survive winter anywhere where it is more than 2ft deep. That's what I have read.

 

Agreed.

 

And welcome aboard, Tom!

Ive ice fished in shallow ponds and most of the bass I caught were in shoreline cover , downed trees .

They will go to the deepest part of the lake. They can survive winter anywhere where it is more than 2ft deep. That's what I have read.

X2 

I guess the best answer might be - it all depends.

 

I've ice fished in Lake Winnipesaukee in NH when the ice was over 3 feet thick. So I guess any bass in a small landlocked lake near Winnie wouldn't stand much of a chance of winter survival if the pond was only 2 feet deep. I used to fishe a small cranberry bog reservoir that was 8 to 10 feet deep (maybe deeper in spots). The bass all perished during a very severe winter. There was ice on the pond for months. There was also heavy snow cover on the ice which I guess prevented sunlight from penetrating to the pond bottom.

 

Many times in the heat of summer you will find bass in the shallows under heavy cover. Current may also influence where you will find the bass.

Your best bet would be cover, the thickest you can find.

Many shallow lakes and ponds contain little or no structure and because of that, cover becomes the top priority of both the bass and forage. The presence of forage is what makes the cover a priority to the bass. IMO, it is more important in determining the location of bass during the cold water period than any other season.  The simple reason being that bass will not exhaust the energy it takes to either chase down, or move to where the forage when their body temp. is low.  They will either stage below the forage, or in the path of forage that moves frequently.

If there are structural changes in the deepest parts of the lake and the baitfish are relating to them, the bass won't be far. When they do decide to feed they only need to move a few feet and usually that movement is vertically, which requires less energy.

Thanks guys. It's my local lake and contains some big bass.....if you can find them.

That's pretty much describing the lake I fish alot, average depth 5-6ft with some place 7-8ft with the boat ramp area being the only exception and little deeper.

Try to find the deepest water you can but like papajoe222 I'd worry more about the cover...

I guess the best answer might be - it all depends.

 

I've ice fished in Lake Winnipesaukee in NH when the ice was over 3 feet thick. So I guess any bass in a small landlocked lake near Winnie wouldn't stand much of a chance of winter survival if the pond was only 2 feet deep. I used to fishe a small cranberry bog reservoir that was 8 to 10 feet deep (maybe deeper in spots). The bass all perished during a very severe winter. There was ice on the pond for months. There was also heavy snow cover on the ice which I guess prevented sunlight from penetrating to the pond bottom.

 

Many times in the heat of summer you will find bass in the shallows under heavy cover. Current may also influence where you will find the bass.

 

Ice is actually thinner beneath snow because the snow acts as an insulator between the ice and the cold air.  Areas beneath snow should be a bit warmer than ice with no snow covering even though the light is blocked.  

Find the warmest water. Watch what thaws out first when you have skim ice, or just fish shallow water that gets a lot of sun exposure if you don't get ice where you live. They are more active and easier to catch when they go to the warmer water, even if the change is only a degree or two.