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Checking out a number of new and untried fishing spots isn’t exactly the easiest thing to do when the mercury is hovering around the zero degree mark. The prospect of taking the time necessary to find structure, punch holes and set up the portable over unknown water out in the frigid weather is enough to downright discourage a guy from even trying.

I’m not sure whether the old adage about getting smarter with age is true or not, but for the past few years, I’ve learned enough to know that initial success on untried water is directly related to the amount of time I spend carefully researching a particular lake. I wouldn’t think of driving to unfamiliar water without first visiting at least a couple of my favorite Internet sites for valuable information that can be very helpful in shortening the learning curve.

The DNR’s home page (www.dnr.state.mn.us) includes a link to their Lake Finder pages which are full of information such as water clarity, weedline depth, gill and trap net data, average fish size by species, stocking information and where to find public access. Also, printable lake maps in PDF and TIF format are available for each lake in their database, so I can hit a body of water with a clear understanding of where critical structure and shoreline breaks can be found.

Another good source of information can be found on a number of what I call “fishing sites.” Two that come to mind are fishingminnesota.com and walleyehunter.com. You’re not required to register at these sites to view their message boards, where you’ll find real-time information relating to many productive regional lakes. Guys and gals on these sites are pretty tight-lipped about specifics, so don’t expect to find a particular “spot on a spot,” but the threads of information relating to specific lakes will at least get you pointed in the right direction.

When time is limited and you want to run out and pound up a limit of crappies or catch a few walleyes, a known spot or two where you’ve enjoyed recent success is pretty tough to beat. However, if you can find or make the time, you owe it to yourself to expand your lake repertoire.

Who knows, with a little investigative work, you just may discover a few new favorite holes, and I guarantee you’ll enjoy the process of discovering them.

Dan Brown’s weekly outdoor column is brought to you by Frankies Bait and Marine in Chisago City and St. Croix Outdoors in St. Croix Falls, Wisconsin.

Dan Brown is a director at the Chisago Lakes Achievement Center in Chisago City. In addition, Brown is a fly casting instructor and trout fishing guide at Seven Pines Lodge in Lewis, WI. Recently Brown was featured on Ron Schara’s Minnesota Bound and ESPN II’s Backroads with Ron and Raven, as well as KSTP channel 5’s Eyewitness News Morning Show. He is a Taylors Falls resident and can often be found on the area lakes, trout streams and the St. Croix river.

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