Smith Lake

This Polk County water is Smith Lake, a lake and the physical record currently shows about 12 acres; a dependable maximum depth is not in the current record, which is the first thing I would want to know if a buddy asked me about this place.

Start with the basics

I would make the first trip about learning the water, not conquering it and I would make the opening plan about the best bank cover, any obvious weeds, and the deepest water I can reach and I would take a couple of bites in one type of water over a dozen pretty spots with no life.

What you can fish for

At the moment, Smith Lake does not have enough species data for a trustworthy fishing list; so if a certain species is the whole reason for the trip, i would verify it with a current exact-water source first, and before i start chasing random reports.

Keeping the first trip simple

If a buddy asked me how to start on Smith Lake, I would give the easy-to-read cover and depth changes a fair shot before trying anything fancy, then I would confirm the current rules before the first fish ever comes over the side.