On November 7, Lake Okhissa will be open to the public. This new lake located 3 miles south of Bude is bvery different from the landlocked and live oxbow lakes that most in the area are used to fishing.

Unlike the basically featureless bottom of the oxbow lakes, Okhissa is a manmade reservior absolutely loaded with visible and underwater structure.

Most of the cover will consist of hardwood trees, creek channel bends and points.

When fishing new waters, the first thing to do is study a lake map. There are a few online. Try http://www.rootsweb.com/—msfrank2/Maps/okhissamap.jpg or google search Okhissa Lake map.

Lake maps will be available at the ramp as well but studying a map in advance will give you a much better idea of where to start fishing.

Make note of the main creek channel (Porter Creek) that runs the entire length of the lake. Dozens of underwater points are created where smaller feeder creeks and gullies intersect with Porter Creek.

Depending on the time of year, the submerged points at the intersection will hold bass and crappie.

Next, consider the time of year. During the fall, baitfish migrate to the upper reaches of reserviors so the best starting point will be in the up creeks.

If you are searching for bass, just idle to the back of oneof the smaller creeks, turn the boat around and fish toward the main lake.

Target the visible cover first, but keeo an eye on your sonar unit and watch for areas where the creek bends and runs near the shore.

If the bite is slow around the visible cover, back off the banks and use your sonar unit. Position your boat in the middle of the feeder creek and cast to the old flooded creek banks.

The water could be anywhere from five to 12 feet dropping of to 15, 25 and even 35 feet.