Your favorite bass pond can still yield

For a lot of folks around the Midwest and Northern states, it doesn't feel like winter is upon us quite yet. We're still getting some warmer days interspersed with cold ones. One day you may fish in shirt sleeves and the next need a hat and gloves just to leave the house.

Those periods of sunshine and warmth are enough to keep me from falling into the early winter blues. And that same glimmer of warmth is what's extending this year's bassin' season. So schedule some time to head out to your favorite pond one last time. I've put together this list of locations and water structure to look for in hopes of making your trip more fruitful.

Channels and streams

Running water is always the warmest water in the pond. If your pond is channel- or stream-fed, fish where the water comes in. There are several reasons you will usually find fish hanging around this area. First, the water is generally a bit warmer than other areas. Second, the running water brings in fresh oxygen. Third, this area is usually going to bring in some pretty easy prey.

You can often get a similar effect if you fish near the spring in a spring-fed pond as well.

The sunny side

This is pretty self-explanatory and common to fish most times of the year. The sunny side of the lake is going to be the warmest, and generally it's the north side that gets the most exposure during the day.

While it's not freezing, it is cold and fish want warmth so find that side of the lake that is warmest throughout the day and fish it hard, hitting a lot of different spots at different speeds and rates.

Close to logs

The water is definitely cooling down and as that happens bass become more lethargic -- though the reason fall is so good for fishing is because the fish are trying to eat up before the long, dark winter. That combination of changes and physiological shifts basically means one thing: fish are looking for easy prey.

Structure like logs hanging into the water make for great areas to deflect water flow and pounce on prey. Bass will hold close to this structure, especially when there is current nearby.

Bring your bait through the structure with the flow of current and you will find some good bites.

Deep water

Many fish are starting to transition into the deeper water patterns synonymous with winter. Though they have not all gone there yet, deep structure this time of the year can be a great location to find fish.

Find good structure like logs or brush and fish it slow. Drop shots are a good way to go to hit those deep spots at a speed that works well in the late fall.

If you're fishing from shore, try to put your cast a little farther into the deep pockets, and you won't be disappointed. The benefit to fishing from shore and casting deep is you get to experience the bite in deep water, transition and shallow water to see what the fish in your pond are doing.

Shallow water

The flip side of course to the previous tip is to fish shallow. During the fall transition you will find bass in many different locations. The benefit to shallow water is that it will generally be the warmest because of sun exposure. But, it is all dependent upon the weather.

If it's sunny, you will likely find some fish in more shallow locations. If it's cold and rainy, chances are better for finding fish deep. Make sure you understand how the weather plays into where the fish will be. The biggest takeaway is to fish all over. With the weather yo-yo of late, those fish could really be anywhere.