We are moving into what I consider to be the worst part of the year for our lakes. I like to fish all day and the lakes right now are getting to be a very early bite or a shortly before dark until as long as you can stand it bite.
I fisn the lakes in late fall / early winter and then again early spring until summer. Others may know how to fish them 365, but not me.
Hiring a guide could really help move you along the learning curve a lot faster, but I understand the hesitation to do so. For sure though, if you get an invite with a knowledgable person to take you out, INSIST on paying for all the gas, etc. A great way to burn bridges is to be a cheap skate. and many people end up doing that without realizing it. It is VERY expensive to run a big boat and drag it all over to launch it. Non boat owners seem oblivious to that fact at times.