If i had a map of the lake with the depths of the areas on it could I use that to help find areas where the bass maybe located.If so what are some of the things i could look for?

Get a magnifying glass.

Look for....

humps...which will be shown as a small circle in the middle of the lake or creek or river

islands

dams

dropoffs....where water depth goes from shallow to deep very rapidly

creeks and water depths at mouth and rear of the creek

pilings

roads where houses are as houses have boat docks

trees

marsh as marsh can have grass and pads

pads

bridges

submerged roads...roads that end at water edge and then start up on the other side of the water or marked on the map

submerged bridges

water depth on the outside edge of river turns

points...where the shore forms a "point" and see water depth that may be a continuation of the point into the water.

marinas

barges

ports

mud flats

piers

hidden ponds and how to get into them

Read the map's legend and study a specific area and fish that area.

Depending on how large the lake or long the river you cannot fish the entire area so select a one or two mile radius and fish it.

Now, studying a map is a start.  If you can "recon" the area and find the wood and brush and grass and pads and other cover and structure you are on your way to fishing success.

And get more than one map of the body of water so you can compare them.

Be careful of tides if you are fishing a tidal river.  You do not want to get stuck in a creek.

Good luck.

Rocks

Rockpiles

Overhead transmission line towers in the water

And the list goes on and on and on.....  ;D

The topographic map uses lines every specified feet of evevation; 5 foot elevation means each line represents 5 feet of vertical change. The best fishing maps will have 1 foot elevations, then 2 foot up to 20 feet. The closer the line are together the steeper the elevation is changing.

So, first look around the terrain the lake is located in to determine what the terrain under the will be like.

Bass like fast changes in elevation; areas like ridges, ravines, stream beads, river channels etc. The first type of structure you need to learn are points that run the furthest out into the lake. Study your map and high light the points, then go fish them.

WRB

points and mouths of rivers