The area I fish in the northeast has smaller bodies of water and would like some advice on breaking down ponds and lakes via maps. They differ quite a bit from the the huge impoundments in other places, there might be only one point on the whole lake. My fishing time is limited and would like to narrow down the odds a bit. The maps for most of these places are pretty rudimentary and I’m fishing from a kayak with a fish finder. I’ve included an example

 

You break them down the same way.  Look for structure and cover.  

 

The good thing about a small pond is it narrows the options for you.  So you can usually try a little bit of everything every time you go out.  Each pond will be different, and things like vegetation, water quality, wind exposure, fishing pressure, bottom composition, and what kind of fish are in the pond will all have a huge effect on how to fish a pond.  And these are factors that won't show up on a depth map.  

 

In the above example, I would target those three islands, especially the tiny one on the left.  It's got deep water access, two choke points, and some very rapid depth changes.  I'd also target any grass or wood you find when you get there, because they're always worth a look.  

 

It might be worth your time to concentrate on just one pond for a bit, and get to know it pretty well.  Then you can start to pick up on patterns and take them with you to the other ponds.  

The area around the numbers 2 & 7 is worth checking.  It will funnel bait fish into that choke point and bass will use that as an ambush area.  Also the point on the island #14 has a quick change in depth so bass can use it to move vertically.  Bass are always going to relate to cover so when you can find areas that have both cover and structure (islands possibly) then those warrant a close look.

Looks like a good little structure lake .There are points , humps and saddles .

Good looking natural lake. 

Lets start with the spawn cycle transitioning to the summer period because that should be what’s going now.

NE corner point with hump near 12’  marker, good place to start. 

Next move down to the N end of the island check out the point.

Over to the NE point across from the island check out the round point and cove.

Move south to the little island and fish the bench around the island.

You should have a good idea by now to put together what’s going on.

Tom