Many casual anglers enjoy fishing but can't afford a fishing boat or don't fish often enough to justify the expense. They can catch fish from the bank by following a few simple rules.

In general, bank fishing is best from small ponds or lakes. That's because there are fewer places that fish can be in small bodies of water, and a higher percentage of those hangouts are within casting distance of the bank.

When fishing from the bank, look for structure that attracts fish. The structure is often weeds, brush, rocks, stumps or standing timber. Just recently, I watched an inexperienced bank angler walk away from a weedy shoreline to avoid hanging up in the weeds. Weeds were the only fish-holding structure visible along the banks of that small lake. There's an old saying in fishing — if you're not hanging up, you're not fishing in productive spots.

Depending on what game fish species you're after, you can fine-tune lures, bait and presentations to minimize hangups. Fish with natural baits under an adjustable bobber that holds the bait off the bottom. Use artificial lures that have a single hook rather than treble hooks. Plastic worms or other soft plastic lures rigged Texas-style, with the hook imbedded in the worm body, are remarkably weedless. If you target crappie or bluegill, use jigs or similar lures with a light wire hook. When it hangs up in brush or a stump, apply steady pressure until the hook straightens, then reel in, use pliers to bend the hook back into shape, and make another cast.

Aside from visible structure like weeds or stumps, water depth and drop-offs may also hold a key to locating a hot fishing spot. That's why most boats are equipped with sonar that reads water depth and helps to locate bottom contours.

The bank fisherman must rely on common sense to identify deeper water. By studying the slope of a bank, you can often determine whether the water continues to drop off quickly or deepens gradually. The deepest water in a pond or small lake is usually around the dam. You can also get a good read on water depth by counting how long it takes your lure to reach bottom.

A submerged creek channel can be a very good fishing spot. On bigger lakes, a bridge crossing often denotes a deep channel. Fishing under a highway bridge is worth a try. A less obvious creek channel may be identified by flooded timber that grew up along the creek before it was flooded by a lake or pond.

This time of year, the best bank fishing occurs during the first and last hours of daylight. As the temperatures rise, fish move into deeper water. Dawn and dusk are best for fishing the shallows.

The best season for bank fishing is spring through early summer. The slowest season is winter, although shallow-water angling can be very productive during a winter warming trend.

Remember every spot where you catch a fish. Though it may not be obvious, there's a reason the fish was there and there's a good chance you'll catch more fish in that same spot during future excursions.

If you're limited to the stretch of bank you can fish, cast repeatedly to likely looking cover. You'll sometimes aggravate a fish into biting. You should also change lures until you find something that appeals to the fish.

Distributed by McClatchy-Tribune Information Services.