Finding fish requires anglers to find the cover and forage, which is the bottom line for fishing success throughout the changing seasons.

Today’s anglers can use a variety of different tools to examine the underwater world. A good pair of polarized sunglasses are must for any angler, and fishfinders today use various types of sonar technology to investigate the water below. The three most popular technologies are Side Imaging, Down Imaging, and classic 2D Sonar.

Underwater cameras are a great way to identify specific fish species, types of forage and even cover preferences. Rocks are a big draw for all species of game fish. Isolated boulders shallow or deep are good areas that collect forage, and in turn, gamefish.

Like underwater highways, ledges dropping into deep water tend to gather schools of fish moving up or down.

Weeds, weeds and more weeds — Shallow bulrushes, cattails and lily pad fields hold bass and panfish, spring, summer and fall. Deeper weeds like cabbage, milfoil and coontail beds collect fish of all species. 

Active fish often suspend over or move along weed edges to feed, while inactive fish tend to move into denser weed clumps.

Deep and shallow, wood is yet another form of fish-holding cover. Fallen trees, brush and stumps gather fish of all species. 

In the big picture, today’s anglers have a lot tools to help speed-up the fish-finding process. It’s pretty simple — if you can’t find ‘em, you can’t catch them!