Some of the sites I've stayed at have had pretty good shore fishing, but when looking at the lake's contour map, nothing stands out as remarkable structure. Do you think it is current flow, bottom composition, depth of water, rate of change of depth, or a combination of things that make some sites far better for shore fishing? Or is it the fact that if you have 6 - 8' of water out front on a reasonably good walleye lake, you're almost guaranteed a sunrise / sunset walleye bite in early June?

There can be tons of factors to consider such as depth, bottom content, wind direction and the ability to fish along the shoreline. Of course this planning can be tossed out when you get to the lake and your plan A, B, and C are already occupied. I think your first statement about finding a site where you can cast to 10'-12' is a solid start. I've had my best luck in areas that drop sharply 5' or so and then drop a little more gradually from there.

None of that is a factor........it is more of how you are living. If you are a good person and living right then you will catch fish.

And you must dress nicely......fish these days won't give themselves up to just any ol' hillbilly or redneck unless you have designer outdoor apparel. Need proof?.......... Just look at any offshore boat or tournament angler. Their duds are nicer than what I wear to church........seems to work.

Island campsites have been good for us, especially when the wind blows in.

quote BearRaid: "Island campsites have been good for us, especially when the wind blows in."

Me too. What's even better is an island adjacent to an island, creating a saddle, which fills with fish. Still better is an island with boulders above or just below the water. Those are fish magnets too. Best of all is an island adjacent to an island with boulders near an inflowing stream. Heaven!

quote Bumstead: "Some of the sites I've stayed at have had pretty good shore fishing, but when looking at the lake's contour map, nothing stands out as remarkable structure. Do you think it is current flow, bottom composition, depth of water, rate of change of depth, or a combination of things that make some sites far better for shore fishing? Or is it the fact that if you have 6 - 8' of water out front on a reasonably good walleye lake, you're almost guaranteed a sunrise / sunset walleye bite in early June? "

Time of year is my number one factor in choosing a campsite, it can change a 2 star into a 5 star site for me. There are many other factors I look for fishing wise to a shore spot but they are all secondary to time of year.

quote mastertangler: "None of that is a factor........it is more of how you are living. If you are a good person and living right then you will catch fish.


And you must dress nicely......fish these days won't give themselves up to just any ol' hillbilly or redneck unless you have designer outdoor apparel. Need proof?.......... Just look at any offshore boat or tournament angler. Their duds are nicer than what I wear to church........seems to work. "

Hilarious. So when I wear the same comfy, grubby t-shirt for 3 days in the BW, I'm actually diminishing my chances at shore fishing success? I'm bringing a suit and tie when I go in this year.

quote missmolly: "

quote BearRaid: "Island campsites have been good for us, especially when the wind blows in."

Me too. What's even better is an island adjacent to an island, creating a saddle, which fills with fish. Still better is an island with boulders above or just below the water. Those are fish magnets too. Best of all is an island adjacent to an island with boulders near an inflowing stream. Heaven!"

Sounds like the ideal place! If we can't find such location in the BW, and it comes to you in the great beyond, I'm coming over to your place to fish awhile!

quote Bumstead: "

quote missmolly: "

quote BearRaid: "Island campsites have been good for us, especially when the wind blows in."

Me too. What's even better is an island adjacent to an island, creating a saddle, which fills with fish. Still better is an island with boulders above or just below the water. Those are fish magnets too. Best of all is an island adjacent to an island with boulders near an inflowing stream. Heaven!"

Sounds like the ideal place! If we can't find such location in the BW, and it comes to you in the great beyond, I'm coming over to your place to fish awhile!"

Oh, I know such places. There's one island with a saddle that'll pony up seven to ten bass before my partner can put his contacts in. That same island has a rock that also loads with four bass. You can catch four, wait an hour, and catch another four. I know another island that's across from a small waterfall and it loads with ten walleye and bass. So, every hour or so, you can paddle over to the current, catch ten fish, and then paddle the 100 yards back.

quote missmolly: "

quote BearRaid: "Island campsites have been good for us, especially when the wind blows in."

Me too. What's even better is an island adjacent to an island, creating a saddle, which fills with fish. Still better is an island with boulders above or just below the water. Those are fish magnets too. Best of all is an island adjacent to an island with boulders near an inflowing stream. Heaven!"

Where exactly is this campsite located? hahahaha

Sounds good to me.

I typically look for a campsite that has a good landing, kind of open to get away from the bugs, has a nice flat tent pad without any widow makers hanging over it, and a nice fire pit. A big granite front porch and fishing from shore is a bonus. Oh and some firewood too.....

quote Bumstead: "Some of the sites I've stayed at have had pretty good shore fishing, but when looking at the lake's contour map, nothing stands out as remarkable structure. Do you think it is current flow, bottom composition, depth of water, rate of change of depth, or a combination of things that make some sites far better for shore fishing? Or is it the fact that if you have 6 - 8' of water out front on a reasonably good walleye lake, you're almost guaranteed a sunrise / sunset walleye bite in early June? "

I usually go with current and stained water lakes. I'm also a lazy shore fisherman. Spring or fall any site with current will have fish. Some of my past favorites have been the main lake site on Kelly on the point great for walleyes all year. The same for the boggy site on Kelly where the temperance river flows in. There's not much structure to that pool just current and a little depth. Even the Weird lake site has great fishing. Stained water provides more consistent fishing for me anyways. The site on Vernon along the outlet from Brule is a different story. Walleyes show up after dark, day fishing is usually slow.

Pine Lake is on the other end of spectrum clear, quick drop offs, limited moving water. On that wind tunnel any minor point sticking out from shore will have current and fish. If you're lazy like me I highly recommend the site below, just west of the narrows on a point with a rock bar that juts out. Google earth makes it pretty easy to identify good spots on clear lakes. Might be a night bite, but I'm okay with that.

quote missmolly: "

quote BearRaid: "Island campsites have been good for us, especially when the wind blows in."

Me too. What's even better is an island adjacent to an island, creating a saddle, which fills with fish. Still better is an island with boulders above or just below the water. Those are fish magnets too. Best of all is an island adjacent to an island with boulders near an inflowing stream. Heaven!"

wisdom

An excellent question. If you are on a river, most of the sites are situated in front of a good hole. Funny how that happens. On a lake, I would like a decent initial drop off as was mentioned. Not a slowly sloping shoreline. Rocks and weeds in the mix.

We go back to the same site now for a few years. It is a smaller bay with a small opening on one end that leads to the main lake. I find the best fishing is when the main lake has whitecaps. That night you can limit out after supper from shore. I think it's because the baitfish are now there because it's been calm there all day. The Walleyes follow where the baitfish are.

quote QueticoMike: "

quote missmolly: "

quote BearRaid: "Island campsites have been good for us, especially when the wind blows in."

Me too. What's even better is an island adjacent to an island, creating a saddle, which fills with fish. Still better is an island with boulders above or just below the water. Those are fish magnets too. Best of all is an island adjacent to an island with boulders near an inflowing stream. Heaven!"

Where exactly is this campsite located? hahahaha


Sounds good to me.


I typically look for a campsite that has a good landing, kind of open to get away from the bugs, has a nice flat tent pad without any widow makers hanging over it, and a nice fire pit. A big granite front porch and fishing from shore is a bonus. Oh and some firewood too....."

We've all seen your photos! You don't need to know ANY MORE good spots!!!

A lot of good criteria here. If I want to fish from camp, I'm usually looking for an island or point with a good dropoff and some rocky structure. Missmolly hit it on the head with her description.

I'd say if I'm fishing from camp there's easily a 50%+ chance I'm looking for eaters for dinner. So I also need a site with a good fish cleaning area, and a bit of a breeze to keep the bugs at bay.

I suppose it tis a bit odd for a fish-a-holic to say but shore fishing from camp is going to probably be the last bit of criteria I use before deciding to camp at a spot. It is a given I will fish from shore regardless, at least for a little while but I typically don't size up a campsite by its fishing potential. Always nice when it works out however.........

I suppose if I were packing kids along that would be a big priority,......... nice to keep them entertained while I'm taking a nap ("Billy watch your sister, no swimming and don't tear the head off the Barbie to use for bait")

My answer would be nearly identical. Too many other priorities for a campsite to camp there even for one night.

for shore fishing , i like a campsite that drops off a little bit , but not into the abyss. in the month of may shore fishing can be very good, depending on the lake of course.

+1 for May