river or stream flowing into a larger river or lake 

 

Now when I read about breaking down lakes it tells me to find a tributary and break it down. Here in Iowa to my knowledge most central lakes are not like this. https://www.iowadnr.gov/Portals/idnr/uploads/fish/maps/BIC77.pdf
most lakes look like this. So I’m assuming I can not use this method or am I miss understanding 

According to the dictionary, a tributary is "a stream feeding a larger stream or a lake."

 

No specific size of the "tributary" is mentioned so it can be anything from a small stream that only produces water after a rain to a large river.

 

If you note your map, you have many "points and coves" that probably have water flowing into them after a rainstorm. Those would be your tributaries.

 

Also, many lakes are stream fed by underground water or springs. These will be tributaries and if you can locate them you will probably find the bass hanging around.

 

And if you can find any tributaries remember that although no water is flowing from them the bass will still stay around the area.

 

Just to let you know, I visited Iowa State and went face to face with a pig while standing straight up.  Biggest hog I had ever seen. And he was nice, too.

 

 

Heres the tributary Big Creek lake Iowa .Past hwy 17

 

As far as breaking down lakes and tributaries Rick Clunn had a method to do it   that was published  in Bassmaster in the 80's .  I tried his theories and they didnt pan out . Now when I go upstream , I search for places that appear  fishy and toss lures at them . I guess I'm just not smart enough to have a formula  to go by .

Exactly what @Sam described ?

 

Structure: is defined as the shape of the bottom of a lake, the permanent features. It's the gradual, to more rapid, & near vertical changes in depth.

 

One must picture in their mind the lake without water on it. 

 

In the photo I uploaded there appears to be a mudline created by sediment being carried by the tributary . Or it could be photos taken at different times stitched together .

2 hours ago, Catt said:

Exactly what @Sam described ?

 

Structure: is defined as the shape of the bottom of a lake, the permanent features. It's the gradual, to more rapid, & near vertical changes in depth.

 

One must picture in their mind the lake without water on it. 

 

As Catt penned above, plus the fact that you need to be more cognizant of the water temperature and not the air temperature as many guys and gals do. You also need to check the water temperature where you have flowing water into your main body of water as that water will have more oxygen and be either colder or warmer than the surrounding water.

17 hours ago, GoneFishingLTN said:

river or stream flowing into a larger river or lake 

 

Now when I read about breaking down lakes it tells me to find a tributary and break it down. Here in Iowa to my knowledge most central lakes are not like this. https://www.iowadnr.gov/Portals/idnr/uploads/fish/maps/BIC77.pdf
most lakes look like this. So I’m assuming I can not use this method or am I miss understanding 

 

You can still use it, just treat the entire lake as “the tributary” and apply your seasonal patterns, because that’s what it is in your smaller bodies of water. Actually makes your job a little easier only having to deal with a single tributary as opposed to dozens on larger reservoirs.