Nearby lakes fishing the same on a given day?

[casts_by_fly]

Hi All,

 

This is a curiosity question.  Most of the lakes in my area are natural lakes or impoundments that mimic natural lakes- gradual sloping, usually weedy, rarely too deep (and even the deeper couple have a 15' thermocline in the summer), 30-300 acres.  The fish species are largely the same, the forage is the same.  I've oft considered that they would all fish about the same on a given day.  The atmospheric conditions and weather patterns have been the same for all of them.  Have a tough day on one?  It would have been a tough day on any of them.  But lately I've been wondering on that one so I thought I'd ask here.  A few times when I've gotten on the water and realized it was going to be a tough day, I've thought about packing up and hitting one of the other nearby ones.  Anyone do that and see a distinct change in fish behaviour?  Turn a bad day into a great one?  Of course there are bite windows and time of day that may influence that, but throwing that out, do you find that similar lakes in a similar area fish the same on the same day?

 

thanks,

rick

 

[Pat Brown]

I find that every body of water is different.

 

I fish two ponds connected by a spillway and dam and two lakes connected by a spillway and dam and the mood/personality/seasonal habits and general locations of the bass tend to be different between each respective pair on any given day even though they're connected.

 

It's bizarre.

[Bankc]

It's hard to give a definitive answer, since no one can really fish two lakes at the same time.  But from my experience, I would say that there would probably be some similarities between the lakes, but they wouldn't necessarily be identical, on any given day.  For instance, larger and deeper bodies of water are less affected by temperature swings than smaller and shallower bodies of water.  And the shape of a lake or the cover around the lake can affect how much wind actually makes it to the lake surface.  Plus, there can be differences in water quality and bottom composition, as well as vegetation and general fish populations that can have affects on your outcome.  So even on the same day, there are numerous variables at play that can affect how the bass are biting. 

 

But, there will also be some similarities that will translate to all of the lakes.  Like if a cold front just passed through, chances are none of the lakes will fish as well as they did just before the cold front hit.  And if it's cloudy everywhere, then all of the fish in all of those lakes might react in a similar way to that. 

 

What I believe is that if the weather conditions are set up for a good day of fishing, then probably all of the lakes will fish better than if the weather conditions were set up for a bad day of fishing.  But there can also exist certain weather conditions that would cause one lake to fish better than another on a given day.  So it's a very complex question with probably a million variables that can't easily be answered outside of just some general observations. 

[Catt]

38 minutes ago, Pat Brown said:

I find that every body of water is different.

 

☝️

 

There's an area here that has 11 ponds (small lakes) within close proximity to each other. All 11 fish totally different. 

 

Toledo Bend & Rayburn are 30 minutes apart, the bass completely setup differently. 

[Mike L]

I’ve found that most lakes in Central and So Florida pretty much fish the same most of the year. 
In the Southern lakes where it could be a little warmer, most patterns will carry over into early winter but of course there are exceptions. 
 

Color choices of anything don’t change. 

The smaller isolated lakes show the biggest differences comparing one to another. 

However, I’ve found that at the bigger Lakes in the Kissimmee Chain and especially Okeechobee, the similarities end as areas and spots WITHIN certain areas and spots will fish differently depending on seasons, cover and wind direction (not necessarily wind speed)

 

 

 

 

 

Mike
 

[Tennessee Boy]

I'm always amazed at how the lakes in my area are similar but so very different in the way they fish.  

 

That said when a bad cold front passes through,  all the fish in all the lakes seem to notice.

[king fisher]

All the lakes in my area will be on a hot bite, but I can assure you, the one I'm fishing at will be slow.  

 

  

 

 

[Fishing_Rod]

Greetings All,

Interesting topic. I'll toss in $0.02 about the situation here in Southern AZ. In the regional Tucson area there are several urban style parks with lakes. Each has a different charisma as they are unique in build and features. The fishing characteristics are also unique. I suspect due to the variations in the habitat that contributes to the angling characteristics. 

 

All are man made reservoirs using different construction techniques. One is close to a simple depression filled with water. The edges there are defined by the water depth and vary significantly throughout the seasons.

 

Another is more like a oversized swimming pool with manicured vertical well defined edges. That location has better water level control maintaining a consistent depth. It also has active landscaping and crews that tend to the surrounding area along with managing debris in the water.

 

These lakes are within 20 miles of each other so quite accessible if you are ambitious and seek adventure at each of those locations. Often when weather prevents me from being on the water I'll go to the Tucson lakes and work the shorelines. I can spend a few hours at each of the lakes before taking a break, lunch, or other errand.

 

Because the lakes are man made they didn't have much consideration for extensive structure or features supporting fish holding. So through diligence you can find the subtle features that fish will associate to and make precision casts to submit to the angling lottery for success.

 

Being a recreational angler I make the most fun with the time I have available. Being able to enjoy each of the different locations is part of the fun. I do find when there is more casting rather than catching I'm motivated to try a different venue. Weedless rigged soft plastics are the preferred solution along with slow moving swim baits. These make for memorable photo opportunities.

 

Yes, mixing it up is nice if time and motivation permit. Have a great time with your angling adventures! Be well and Cheers!

 

 

[Bankbeater]

If I'm pond hopping I'll be fishing small farm type ponds that are around 3-5 acres in size.  Depending on the weather and time of year, the bass in one pond may biting everything, while a pond around 1/2 mile away seems completely lifeless.

[crypt]

On 8/6/2024 at 10:25 AM, Mike L said:

I’ve found that most lakes in Central and So Florida pretty much fish the same most of the year. 
In the Southern lakes where it could be a little warmer, most patterns will carry over into early winter but of course there are exceptions. 
 

Color choices of anything don’t change. 

The smaller isolated lakes show the biggest differences comparing one to another. 

However, I’ve found that at the bigger Lakes in the Kissimmee Chain and especially Okeechobee, the similarities end as areas and spots WITHIN certain areas and spots will fish differently depending on seasons, cover and wind direction (not necessarily wind speed)

 

 

 

 

 

Mike
 

same here.......

[T-Billy]

On 8/6/2024 at 12:37 PM, king fisher said:

All the lakes in my area will be on a hot bite, but I can assure you, the one I'm fishing at will be slow.  

 

  

 

 

I hear ya brother!!! The fish in my local lakes feed twice a day. Right before I get there, and right after I leave. 😂