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Living on the Edge

(By: Jerry Carlson)

photo of jerry carlson

It probably happens several dozen times a year. Someone comes up to me and wants to know where the fish are biting. I have a whole host of smart answers like "in the mouth," but these aren't the answers they are looking for. They want to know 'specifically' where the fish are biting.

It is not very easy to tell someone where the fish are biting. You can name a lake or talk about depths, but when it comes right down to it, to describe a specific location that someone can drive their boat up to and start catching fish is often quite difficult.

One of the problems in giving someone very specific directions on where to catch fish is that you may be able to tell them about one special area that holds a particular species of fish, but you really haven't told them what they need to know. They often press you for more detailed information because they do not know how to go about finding fish for themselves.

I'll be the first to admit that I love getting tips about a hot bite. I will also be the first to admit that I have cashed in on these tips time and time again. In fact, they have occasionally really saved the day for me. But I also know that I can usually find fish on my own.

When it comes to locating fish, there are lots of different strategies. These strategies are often species specific and will work on one lake for one kind of fish but not everywhere. I don't know of a fish finding strategy that will work everywhere so I go by a couple of simple rules. My most important rule in locating fish is to look for edges.

Fish, as well as animals in general, relate heavily to edges. Edges, however, come in many shapes and sizes on a lake.

The two most prominent edges are the surface of the water and the bottom. These edges are totally confining in terms of fish location and are not specific enough to really be of much help.

Other edges are easier to understand and do a better job of limiting the unproductive 90% and get us closer to the magical 10% of the water that holds the fish.

One of my favorite edges to focus on is the deep weedline. On lakes that have a deep weedline, it becomes the interstate of the fishing world. Nearly all species of fish will relate to the deep weedline at some point in the year.

When working the deep weedline, you must consider the area just above it and just below it to be part of the weedline. Fish will move in and out of the weedline area depending on weather and activity level.

Another edge that is often overlooked is the inside weedline. This the shallow side of the weeds where the weed growth turns to sand or some other weedless bottom. This edge is better for species such as bass, northerns, and panfish than most people think.

Other edges can be created by weeds. Anytime you have two very different weeds coming together, they form an edge. For example, a place where cabbage meets another type of shorter weed you have an edge that many species of fish will relate to. Bulrushes, cattails, and lily pads create very distinct weed edges that are easy to see and fish.

Bottom transitions create still another whole variety of edges. A place where rocks or another hard bottom meets silt or mud is an edge that can be terrific for fish like walleyes. Edges created by drop-offs are yet another type of transition from shallow to deep water that fish relate heavily to.

Edges are not the only place on a lake that will hold fish, but they are certainly a type of structure that holds its share. By working an edge you will find there are areas along it that are productive and places that aren't. What you need to find are the more subtle "spot on a spot" locations that hold fish.

Fish live on many different types of edges: weedlines, mudlines, current breaks, drop-offs, transition edges and more. By looking for and fishing edges you will catch fish. You will also start to have faith in your ability to find your own fish.

The next time someone asks you where the fish are biting you can tell them whatever you think is proper. However, you would probably be doing them a favor if you told them to spend more time living on the edge....where the fish are.