Between the unrelenting winds, cold wether, and my wife’s weekend work schedule, I have yet to get out this year.  This weekend is it, nice weather gentle breeze, I’M GOING FISHING.

Now for the fun part, where to go?

I have 2 places that I have a fairly good idea of what the pond is like and have reports from friends about water temps. I can only access both with a canoe, there are no public ramps to put a boat in. I fish these ponds regularly but never this early in the season.  Numbers and sizes are about equal in both ponds when I fish during the late spring, summer and fall.

Pond 1 is a 13 acre pond at the start of a river system and is currently flooding into the thicket/heavy brush around the perimeter. Water levels are up about 2-3 feet above the traditional bank line.  Rain is forecast for tonight and tomorrow so I expect it to get a bit higher but not much.  Water temps are 50ish and Fish and Game recently stocked the river above and below the pond with trout.

 

Pond 2 is a 50 acre body of water that is still in its winter drawdown but is slowly filling, currently it is about 2 feet below full pool. Water temps are 52ish. This is a pond i grew up on fishing and know where all the stumps, trees, and sandy banks are. 
 

Where would you go and how would you approach it?

I’d go to the second picture and try that flat in 6 feet of water next to the deep hole, or the long Flat point in between “Pads” and “sand”

I would fish pond #1 first.  Much shallower / warmer...fish SHOULD be more active. Fish them both a few times and remember your results for next early spring.

Enjoy either

Sounds like your weather has been like ours.  I would go with the 2nd pic and target those deep holes first and then target shallower cover or structure after that.

I like the diversity of 2nd lake. 

Water temps in the 50's is ideal for Jerbaits.

Go to section of lake the sees the sun the longest.