Tips on Lake Fishing

Fish caught on a lake fall into three general headings: game fish, food fish, and forage or bait fish. Catching each one requires different equipment and/or bait.

Game fish such as bass, trout, pike, pickerel, muskellunge, pike perch, etc., all fall under the general heading of game fish. Each of these is valued for they're sporting value. Anglers enjoy tournaments every year winning large sums of money for catching that one special game fish for that season.

Whereas catfish, perch, crappie, blue gill, some carp etc., have been considered as food fish. Even though this group of fish is not considered as the so-called game fish they do have recreational value. All one needs to do is find themselves fishing in a school of blue gill or crappie catching a fish a minute to know the true enjoyment of fishing.

Baitfish such as shad, minnows etc., are small fish caught in a sine or net and used as bait to catch larger fish. Not all states allow you to use live bait for fishing. You will need to check if it's legal in your state when you purchase your fishing license.

If you are an old hand at fishing on a lake or a beginner it can prove to be extremely fun. For the novice it will be important to master the correct rigging, casting, type of bait etc., so one will get the best enjoyment possible from their experience. Therefore, here are some tips that could help the new angler master the art of lake fishing.

First knowing where the fish live, that is their habitat and what kinds of fish inhabit the lake you are fishing on will give you the edge to find your prey. Ask at the bait shop for Lake Maps and any information that will assist you in your quest.

Second. If you are fly-fishing remember that you are working the line not the fly. The fly is but a passenger, which is attached to the leader. Don't snap the line like a whip or you'll loose your fly. Instead use a smooth, snappy kind of stroke with the same type of movement as you would a whip but not as hard. Fly-fishing is an art onto itself and having the proper timing is one of the important factors in the backcast and forward cast.