Bring up the subject of your favorite "fishing hole" in a group gathering and watch the conversation come to a screeching halt with all ears pointed in your direction.

You'd think you just offered to spill the beans on the combination to Fort Knox!

Avid fishermen are passionate about guarding the location where they get results.  Some won't even tell their favorite buddy for fear the secret will get out.

All kidding aside, if you want to get fish you have to go where the fish are.  Which means, you need to think like a fish.  That's not as difficult as it sounds.  It's really nothing more than common sense.

The first thing you must know is where your favorite fish live.  Do they live in a pond, lake, stream, river, or the ocean?  Does your favorite fish prefer cold or warm water?

A body of water too small to be considered a lake would be a pond.  You will most likely find small bass and catfish in a decent sized pond.  Depending on the time of day you plan to fish you will most likely find them hiding along the banks of the pond to escape the heat from the sun.   Try casting your line along the edges of the pond especially where there might be over hanging trees or other vegetation that create small pockets of cooler water.  Early morning and late evening will bring them closer to the center of the pond searching for a tasty bite of breakfast or supper.

If the various types of trout are more to your liking you will need to seek them out in lakes, streams or rivers.  Trout must have fresh flowing water to survive.  You may find certain smaller species of trout in ponds but not unless the pond has fresh water feeding into it.  Trout will not survive in still water.

Fishing for trout is one of life's more pleasurable activities.  Nothing beats fishing a fast flowing river in the early morning when the sun is just beginning to rise.  Trout like to hide amongst the rocks in white water river fishing.  They particularly prefer to hide on the downriver side of the rocks darting from rock to rock until they are ready to strike out in the center for further adventure.  Once the sun is up they are more likely to approach smaller pools to feast on the insects skimming the water in these miniature ecosystems.

One of the more adventuresome activities is fishing for steelhead.  Steelheads are a cousin to salmon and will be found only in larger freshwater rivers and lakes.  Their meat is the same pink coloration as a salmon and they can challenge a salmon in size.   They are excellent eating and when smoked rival any of the tastiest smoked salmon you've ever had!

Coho Salmon are literally landlocked salmon and can be found in large lakes.  They are a much smaller fish than their namesake but are very tasty.

The Sturgeon is a very interesting fish.  These fish are actually a throwback to prehistoric animals.  They can be found in very large rivers such as the Columbia River in the Northwest or extremely large lakes like the Great Lakes.  These fish are very, very large.  In the Columbia River for example, sturgeon less than three feet and over six feet must be released.  This is to protect the younger fish and preserve the older.  They actually resemble a giant catfish.  They are bottom feeders and are quite tasty.  Sturgeon has the look and consistency of pork.

If you have never fished for salmon and do not live in an area where they habitat you must make it a once in a lifetime plan to fish for these fish at some time in your life.  Imagine the concept of fishing for something that has the innate ability to hatch, survive, and swim hundreds and often thousands of miles in exploration and return to spawn and die in their own homeland.  The concept is almost magical.

We've but scratched the surface and haven't even begun to discuss saltwater fishing.  The best advice you can get when it comes to saltwater fishing is to charter a boat and guide. 

Depending on what you choose to fish the variables are astronomical and only a pro can get you exactly where you need to be to fish for your preferred target.  Halibut?  Swordfish?  Maybe scuba diving and fishing for shellfish is your preference.  The best route to go is decide what you want to fish and hire a pro that specialized in that particular fish.

No matter what your preference do you homework and learn a little bit about the habitat of your favorite fish BEFORE you go chasing him.  You'll stand a much better chance of success if you learn about his home before you plan on making him your next meal!