Fishing a farm pond

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Radio interview sources: Jeff Davis and James Koltes, Iowa State University Bass Angler's Club

If you're lucky enough to have a stocked pond on your acreage, fishing is a great way to spend time outdoors with the entire family.

Jeff Davis and James Koltes belong to the Iowa State University Bass Angler's Club, and enjoy pond fishing.

First, they say, pick a good location. Even in a smaller pond, some spots will be better than others for catching fish. "You're going to want to look for areas with structures like fallen trees and vegetation like grasses on the side of the pond," Davis says. "The grass that is submerged in water will provide a cover for younger fish to congregate in."

You can use the same pole whether you're fishing in a lake or a pond, but you'll want to pay special attention to the tackle you use. "Lakes are usually a lot deeper than ponds, so a lot of times I like to use a crank bait or something that dives down deeper in the water," Koltes says.

As temperatures rise, fish will retreat to cooler spots deep in the pond or lake. In most farm ponds, deep-water crank baits won't work. "You'll hit the bottom and get in the mud and muck," Koltes says.