Reading the Water. First I think we need to discus fish behavior. I'm writing this while waiting for the ice to go out. When the water goes out reading the water is more about reading the bottom. If you look for sand patches along the shore you'll find large fish in spawning colors. Mudler minnows are fly this time of year. As the year moves on the trout will look for water about 60 degrees. As the water temperature rises the fish will move deeper but when they go too deep the oxygen decreases so the fish will only go so deep. In most of Alaska's lakes the limit is about fifteen feet. In shallow water you have bugs, leaches, freshwater shrimp, minnows, and all food. The larger fish become pray for eagles, loons, and other
... read more