You can go to any lake, just be aware of the weather, where you are and you & your motors ability. Panicking and freezing up in a nasty situation gets you in the drink. Always look around to see if there are bays to hide in? Shorelines you can get too that are in the least amount of wind before it happens. If things are brewing, you will see it long before it gets nasty. Can always go in before it gets bad and head out again.
I have been using dads 40 yr old Sears 12 ft alum with a 9.9 for almost as long. On Peerless & Graham, Pinehurst and many other lakes that get nasty. Have to use your head if you get caught in a stormy situation. Been scared a couple times but never even close to going down.
Pinehurst always seemed to catch us because we would go to the far bay from the campground. Rode out a few storms on the shore. Came back at dusk a few times too. Peerless Lake was probably the worst ever lake we were caught on.
Just have to keep the nose up and keep your head on a swivel. Speed helped sometimes, slower others depending on what your in. Only ever had 2 guys in the boat and we were a lot skinnier then so no over loading
. Easy to keep the tinner up on the waves.