Lake Fishing: Essential Tips for Catching Fish in Lakes

For many of us, our introduction to fishing came at a lake, pond, or reservoir.

We joined our families and dropped a hook baited with a worm, along with a bobber, and waited, and waited, and waited. Then it happened. 

We caught our first fish. And we were hooked.

My passion for fishing began at Copake Lake in upstate New York. Every summer, my family would load up our tan Chrysler station wagon and venture north from our suburban enclave on Long Island. We typically rented a small cabin on the lake, which typically had a dock.

It was on these docks where my father—who was primarily a saltwater surfcaster– taught me how to handle a rod and reel, bait a hook, cast, and hope for the best. 

I remember catching a lot of Bluegill and Pumpkinseed sunfish and Yellow perch, along with an occasional Largemouth bass. While I was not enamored with dealing with slimy earthworms and nightcrawlers, I loved spending peaceful mornings with my father and the feeling of catching those first fish.

 While a lot has changed over the years, beginning my fishing odyssey at that lake has been permanently etched in my memory.

It’s not that different for many anglers. They start off fishing from the shore at a nearby lake, learn the basics, and move to other, potentially more challenging locales during their fishing careers. After all, there are thousands of lakes in the US for fishing in a lake — especially in Florida and surrounding states, the Great Lakes and Upper Midwest, and the Middle Atlantic States. 

Here’s a hidden bonus: No highly specialized gear is needed for fishing on a lake — for the most part, anyway—and even established saltwater anglers can learn some new tricks while lake fishing.

According to a 2024 report by the Outdoor Foundation and the Recreational Boating and Fishing Foundation, four out of five anglers reported their first fishing experience was at a freshwater locale, and more than 43 million anglers 6 years old and up fished in freshwater in 2023. Of all anglers, 58 percent said they primarily fish in freshwater.

NOTE: By the way, fishing overall attracted 57.7 million participants in 2023, which is the highest participation rate on record and a 3.2 million increase from 2022.

Other factors fueling lake fishing are the stocking of lakes with Largemouth bass (which the foundation claims are the country’s most popular fish), the sheer number of lakes around the country (more than 7,000 natural lakes according to the US Geological Survey), and the ability for anglers to reach lakes that were previously inaccessible by two-wheel drive vehicles. 

Lake fishing for beginners is one of those things that is simple to learn but sometimes tricky to master. Here are some essential tips to help you get started:

LAKE STRUCTURE

When it comes to lakes, the adage “you gotta fish where the fish are” is true.

The first place to look at a lake is the water body’s structure; that is, what’s closest to shore that will attract and hold fish in the lake. In most cases, tree stumps, logs, rock piles, and weed beds are key indicators, along with noticeable depth changes.

Certain lake fish prefer shallower waters, making them easier to catch from the shoreline, while others inhabit deeper areas or open water. If you want to target Largemouth bass near vegetation, you can how to lake fish from the shoreline, but you may need a boat to access deeper or open water areas when targeting species like walleye or lake trout. These considerations will play a role in determining where you fish in a lake. 

WHERE TO FISH AT A LAKE

On foot: Fishing from the shore or off a pier is a viable first option, especially if you just want to explore what’s biting. The best bet is to try casting a few lines from shorelines with deep water and see if you have any luck. If you’re not having any luck, just move a few yards and try other spots if you don’t get a good bite after seven or eight casts.

If you don’t have good access to the deeper parts of the lake, waders will come in handy. Try to remain still and avoid unnecessary movement so you don’t spook your targeted fish. This is especially important when in shallow waters.

For those just getting started (or switching from saltwater to freshwater lakes), basic fishing setups (shorter rods, reels, lines) can be found at sporting goods and outdoor stores for under $100. Many fish are close to the shore, so try casting parallel to the shoreline and keep the wind in mind: wind creates currents that can carry a fish’s prey toward them. For bait, start off the live bait (worms, minnows, crayfish) before considering soft plastics in fish and frog shapes and topwater lures that ride on the water’s surface to avoid getting snagged on vegetation. 

By boat: Fishing at a lake from a boat allows anglers to reach areas not available by foot or even kayak (critical when fishing outside of spawning season) and allows them the ability to troll, which is extremely useful when going after salmon and or Lake Trout. Additionally, it’s much easier to reach deeper waters using a boat, which will give you a better chance of success when trying to hook larger fish.

Looking for the easiest, family-friendly introduction to lake fishing? Try a charter fishing excursion. Not only will you have an experienced captain and mate show you the basics, but you also won’t need to worry about buying gear. Charters are extremely popular in the Great Lakes (which we’ll cover below) and can take anglers to some of the “honey holes” for fish that only experienced captains know about.

Read also: How Old Do You Have to Be to Get a Boating License? A Comprehensive Guide

By kayak: We’ve all seen a marked rise in kayak fishing over the past few years. The affordability of the vessels (compared to boats), the ability to glide silently across the water and reach hidden fishing spots no one else can, and getting a workout while fishing are all important drivers. 

Look for models featuring a sit-on-top design (which facilitates water drainage and doesn’t limit movement like enclosed designs) along with a pontoon-shaped hull. Other useful features include rod holders, enclosed dry hatches, deck storage, and, if you’re so inclined, a mount for GPS or fish finders. 

BEST BAITS FOR LAKE FISHING

While live bait will always be a safe bet for lake fishing, the cost and lack of longevity may give some anglers pause. Thankfully, there is no shortage of artificial baits and lures to try. 

The most common lake fishing bait—after live bait—are soft plastics resembling worms, frogs, crayfish, and lizards. No weight is needed when using these plastics as they typically sink slowly just below the water’s surface. Scented plastics can also be beneficial, along with jigs, for fishing deeper in the water column.

Spinners and spinnerbaits are also popular options. Spinners allow large areas of water to be covered quickly and can be especially effective when bass are feeding aggressively.

Photo provided by Gary D’Amico.

Lastly, make sure there are some topwater baits in your tackle box. Poppers, jitterbugs, buzz baits, chatter baits, along with diving plugs (for trolling), often help anglers when other baits simply aren’t working.

BEST LAKES FOR FISHING

The Great Lakes

OK, we understand this is a group of lakes, but all five typically offer outstanding lake fishing. Whether it’s Lake Superior, Michigan, Huron, Erie, or Ontario, the varieties of fish available make this region a natural starting point for those interested in lake fishing. 

We’re partial to Lake Superior, the largest freshwater lake in the world. Its shoreline touches Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan, and Ontario, Canada, and features some of the largest freshwater fish available. Something else that makes the lake appealing: It’s the most removed from some of the industrialized areas that share the other Great Lakes, thus providing a more nature, serene setting.

Lake Trout are what most anglers look for when fishing Lake Superior, along with Steelhead, Brown, and Brook trout. Salmon are also popular targets, including Chinook, Coho, Atlantic, and Pink varieties. And let’s not forget walleye and Northern pike; two staples of upper Midwest lake fishing, as well as culinary favorites.

Read also: Your Comprehensive Guide to Ontario Fishing Seasons

Lake Champlain

Like the Great Lakes, Lake Champlain’s shoreline touches several states and Canada. New York, Vermont, Quebec, and Canada all share Lake Champlain. Often referred to as “The Sixth Great Lake” due to its size (500 miles of shoreline) and the variety of fish available. While fishing toward the Vermont border and Fort Ticonderoga is popular with locals at the moment, with so many varieties of bays, inlets, and wide open spaces available, favored destinations are typically dictated by consistently good catch rates.

The lake features some of the best Largemouth and Smallmouth bass fishing in the country, along with serious salmon runs in the fall and spring. Pike is a popular target for ice fishing.

Orange Lake

One of Florida’s largest lakes, just south of Gainesville, was recently named the top lake in Southeast by Bassmaster in its “Top 10 Bass Lakes of 2024” voting. Consistently high catch rates for weighty Largemouth Bass helped secure the crown for the lake, which can also yield panfish like crappie, bluegill, and Redear sunfish. The lake features lots of aquatic vegetation, dominated by lily pads, hydrilla,s and grassy beds, which is where the Largemouth bass typically reside. 

Marshy areas are inaccessible to anglers, due to dense vegetation, but there is a fishing pier in the southwestern part of the lake, providing easy access. 

Lake of the Woods

Lake of the Woods is often referred to as “The Walleye Capital of the World” thanks to its reputation for providing abundant numbers of trophy-sized fish in both the lake and one of its main tributaries, the Rainy River.

With its 65,000 miles of shoreline touching Canadian provinces Ontario and Manitoba, as well as Minnesota, this scenic lake is an iconic fishing destination, attracting visitors from around the world. Most anglers use boats and charters for fishing (several specialize in catching walleyes), although shoreline angling is also popular.

Besides having a legendary walleye population, Lake of the Woods also features sturgeon, muskellunge, Northern pike, and Smallmouth bass.

There’s also a bonus to fishing at Lake of the Woods: Anglers can often spot Bald Eagles soaring overhead, while herds of caribou are easily spotted on land. 

Photo provided by Gary D’Amico.

Lake Lanier

Georgia’s Lake Lanier is the largest lake in the state, featuring nearly 700 miles of shoreline spread over 38,000 acres.

Located an hour’s drive south of Atlanta, Lake Lanier is a major recreational area for those in Georgia and Tennessee, along with serious anglers.

The lake is known for its vast population of Largemouth bass, which congregate near the vegetated shoreline and feed on everything from smaller amphibians, insects, crustaceans, and smaller fish, like bluegill.

One of Lake Lanier’s other iconic residents is the Channel catfish, who scavenge on the lake’s muddy bottom primarily in search of dead fish, plant material, and invertebrates. Many local anglers also swear by chicken livers as a viable bait.

Midwater is where Threadfin shad and striped bass can be found, while deeper waters provide anglers with everything from striped bass, walleye, and crappie, especially around submerged structures).

Conclusion

It’s easy to see how rewarding fishing at lakes around the country can be, with thousands to choose from, abundant scenic beauty, and a wide variety of fish available. Getting started is a simple task since no complex or complicated gear is required at first. Whether you’re making the switch from saltwater and testing your skills, looking to explore new areas of the country while satisfying your fishing passion, or just getting started, lakes around the U.S. provide outstanding fishing opportunities.