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Before breaking down this big lake to reading size, let's make some general observations. First, whether in lake or stream, fish are confronted with two abiding problems: Where do we eat next? and, where can we be safe? In quiet water, rest isn't a factor except insofar as the fish avoids bright sunlight and warm water. As for protection that's fairly easy. There are usually snags, sunken logs, boulders which have broken off cliffs, and hiding places among the weed beds. As for food, that's another matter. When a fish's protective area does not supply it in ample amounts, the fish just naturally has to pick up and go after it. That means he has to make periodic forays to the food-laden shallower water. And this is dangerous. Therefore you may be sure that the wise old fish who has escaped countless predators, including man, will continue to use the utmost caution and as far as possible see that his feeding grounds are close to his hiding area. Every foot less the distance between these two, the longer his life expectancy.
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