I recently was able to track down a lake map (thanks to the guys over in the boat threads) for my closest lake that I fish frequently. It is a small reservoir and isn't very deep. Could you guys help get a good idea of where things would likely be good here?

The dam is at the top left and the bottom right is VERY silted in right before the causeway (<3 ft).

Thanks

http://imgur.com/mdyzuIa

This is a large pond or very small lake, take your pick.

Lets use the 7'-8'-9'depth lines to figure out where any fish attracting structure may be located. Look for changes in direction that create structure elements like points and there are a few. The next elements to study are the 3 deeper areas that are more than likely silted in with soft bottoms. Using the 7'-8' -9' depth lines and directional changes those places that drop into the deeper basin areas should be looked closely. The bouy line area with the 90 degree turn should have a concrete anchor block holding the line, check that out and the spots near the center dam deeper zone. The transition areas where steep banks change to more sloping and any abrupt depth zone directional areas, like the rip rap road bed at the shallow end.

Shouldn't take very long to locate bass in the small lake.

Tom

check out the steep spots and where they taper off or funnel in to shallower depths

34 minutes ago, WRB said:

This is a large pond or very small lake, take your pick.

Very true. This place was create by Alcoa in the 40s to help steel production during WW2. Guess they didn't expect to need all that much water, haha! 

The 90 degree line there unfortunately isn't marker buoys, more than likely whoever auto mapped this lake was being nice to the bank fisherman who usually stack up there who have a bevy of lines out right before the dam there. Looks like they just avoided that area to keep from getting tangled in line. There are no markers, just a sign that says stay back dummy, big drop up here.

As for the other parts, I think I am following. I updated it with some red circles, do they look accurate?

 

 

Another area to look at early in the year is the top area of the map where it goes from shallow into a steep drop off to the 15 foot marker. Fish may be deep there during cold water and it might be a nice area earlier in the year to drop shakey heads down

The area you circled between the two  deep holes , that the first place I noticed . 

4 hours ago, Fishinthefish said:

Another area to look at early in the year is the top area of the map where it goes from shallow into a steep drop off to the 15 foot marker. Fish may be deep there during cold water and it might be a nice area earlier in the year to drop shakey heads down

The biggest bass I ever caught in this lake was right at the area you described on opening day of trout 3 years ago with a lipless red eye shad. I didn't know why at the time, but apparently it is a worthwhile area.