We are reaching the end of summer, and it looks as if we are going to have a nice fall. Before you know it, the lakes are going to start filling up again. Now is the time to scout your favorite lakes and document cover that will be underwater again soon.

I have been photo documenting lakes for years, and now that we have digital cameras it makes it much easier to keep track of the photos.

Before I started to do this, I figured I would remember where stuff was when the lakes filled back in again. Well I was partially right, but for the most part I would have to seriously fan-cast areas before I was able to pinpoint structure to locate fish.

Photo documenting – and even GPS locating – certain structure will greatly reduce the amount of time you will spend looking for that one piece of structure you know is there. . . somewhere.

For the most part the actual documentation, is easy it is just a time consuming process. And lets face it, most of the time if you're at the lake you would rather be fishing. But taking a little time out is well worth it.

Lakes with boat access:

Lakes you take your boat out on are easy. You can simply bring a hand held GPS and stand on a piece of structure whether it be a tree, a log, a rock, or maybe a ledge off an old roadway, and just mark your location. You can make note of this and enter it into your boat GPS at a later date. You can also keep a numbered photo reference in your boat corresponding with it. You will want to take photos from different angles using visual reference points on shore that will remain high and dry when the lake is full again.

Shore fishing lakes:

For lakes you fish from shore this works great, too. Take photos of the piece of structure first. You can do this from a few angles, noting the orientation to shore, distance, etc. After this is done you want to take a photo from behind the object back towards shore. Try and find the place you think you may be fishing from when the lake is full. Use trees, rocks, telephone poles, etc., things that don't change too much if at all. Keep in mind that using more permanent objects is a better plan.

A lot of times the process of going out and doing this will burn it into your memory just a little more.

So what are you waiting for?

Put on your hiking boots, put down your fishing rods, and pick up your camera before its too late. There could be some improved catches in your future.