So I live in Alabama.  I will be going to visit family in southwest VA (tazewell, VA) in may this year.  There is a nice little public lake near there that gets little pressure from bass fisherman (mostly trout I think).  Its name is lake Witten - I will not be bringing my bass boat up there, plan on renting a jon boat and bringing a trolling motor to fish it with my brother.  The lake is pretty clear as I recall, very little cover, mainly rocky edges and some vegetation on the edges - I think it is pretty deep near the dam side, but I am not sure of the depth exactly.  Without a depth finder, I presume I will have to fish the edges - they seem quite steep in general - there is a realtively shallow flatter area on one side - other than that I am not sure about the bottom features.  I think there are a couple points, but it is pretty much a big bowl when you look at it.  Any advice for me everyone - would like to impress my brother or at least not embarrass myself.

First, it gets far more pressure than you think.  It is the best big bass lake in SW VA.

Second, there is a ton of cover in the lake (weeds).

You may want to visit the following link...

http://www.easttennesseefishing.com/index.php?showforum=58

I wouldn't say it looks like a big bowl unless your bowls look like this:

As Burley said it gets alot more pressure than you think and is absolutely full of weeds.  Good idea not to bring your boat since the ramp is shallow and you have to back so far into the lake.  You will be fine in the jon.  Check out this link too:  http://www.dgif.virginia.gov/fishing/waterbodies/display.asp?id=139&section=reports

Yep, that ramp is pretty much why I won't go back.

hahahah, It isnt a bowl is it

I somehow remember it different in my head from years ago....anyway - I guess my question still stands - without electronics of any sort, am I best to fish perhaps the dam area throughout the water colomn and perhaps points and shallow areas - around visible weeks that I can work around - I would like some specific suggestions if anyone has any good ones regarding spots on this little lake

I cannot decide in my mind how to approach my search for the bass there - at that time of year in SW VA, were are the fish at in their cycle of life anyway - I am not sure what is going on as far as water temp - prespawn?, spawn? - where do you think I should focus on the lake specifically?

You will most likely find them in all stages of the cycle then.  Most likely spawn/post spawn. 

The circled areas are the flats type areas I would look for spawners and the line is the channel to follow back to deeper water.  Heading back into the skinny arm on the left is the shallower weeds and the right is steeper. 

just be ready for anything and don't worry the lake is small enough you will be able to work all of it in a day easily. 

Cool, that gives me a good idea of what to go on as I had no idea about the bottom features - I  can work the flats, the steep edges and weeds - should be able to catch some - Ill let you know how it goes in may.  Going to lay lake tomorrow