Now that I have been writing about the various places to fish in the area, I realize that I need some kind of a quick view that summarizes my assessment of the water.
The table to the right has the rating categories I am going to start with. I may add or delete from this list as I gain experience using this as a rating framework.
Note that some of the ratings may be counterintuitive. I’m using this to rate streams the based on what I look for.
For example, I think it is a GREEN situation if you have to read a map to find the stream and it’s GREEN if it is physically demanding to get to.
| Pressure |  | Trout Size | |
| Physical Fitness |  | Bass Size |  |
| Access | | Regulations | |
| Hard to Find | | Stocking | |
| Scenery | | Overall | |
Both of these situations reduce pressure and provide a more remote fishing experience – which is what I am looking for. So… please read these definitions carefully if you use them to select water.
I will summarize these based on multiple visits on the region level page as the rating may change with multiple visits.
(Disclaimer: Physical Fitness ratings are based on my impression of what it takes to get to the fishing area and enjoy it. You are the best judge of your own fitness and should not attempt anything beyond your capability)
Pressure
| Green | Did not see anyone else |
| Yellow | Saw a few other people, but never felt pressured |
| Red | Felt crowded |
Physical Fitness
| Green | Suitable for somebody who is in good shape |
| Yellow | Suitable for somebody who exercises often and is in reasonable shape |
| Red | Normal level of fitness required |
Access
| Green | No trail, you are in the river wading; no boat ramp – you have to drag your boat to the water. |
| Yellow | Some trail, but not consistent – comes and goes. Boat ramp suitable for light boats only |
| Red | Easy access. Well marked trail follows the stream. If this is a lake, the boat ramps can take a normal sized bass boat |
Hard to find
| Green | Requires that you read a map |
| Yellow | Involves traveling on a dirt road for a portion; you need to pay attention or you may take the wrong turn |
| Red | Easy to get there. Mapquest will pretty much get you to the right spot; hardball road all the way |
Scenery
| Green | Classic trout water of rushing stream with rocks, no houses; for bass, nice wooded lake |
| Yellow | Trout – Flatter water, but still remote; bass water has houses overlooking the lake or river |
| Red | Boring, populated |
Trout Size
| Green | Trout – 12″ or larger |
| Yellow | Trout – 8 to 12″ |
| Red | Trout – smaller than 8″ |
Bass Size
| Green | Bass – 15″ |
| Yellow | Bass – 12″ |
| Red | Bass – smaller than 12″ |
Regulations
| Green | Catch and Release or a slot for bass |
| Yellow | Delayed Harvest or other restriction (no barb, etc) |
| Red | Put and Take |
Stocking
| Green | Stocked |
| Yellow | N/A – not used |
| Red | Not Stocked |
Overall
| Green | I would come back anytime |
| Yellow | Would go if I don’t have anywhere better to go |
| Red | Will not come back |
Unless stated otherwise, this article was authored by Steve Moore
