lake maps

[Ryan McCaw]

Do all of you use lake maps? Do you prefer printed or downloaded versions? I have a pond improvement business with the opportunity to invest in mapping equipment and I just don't know if there is an interest for maps or not. I use them at times but don't rely on them all the time.

[Tomas Daniel]

i use them on occasion but not too offen. if im at a fairly large lake i'll sometimes pull one out to help me find what im lookin for. i use them more to mark spots where ive caught fish. i even have one from lake west point and another from lake eufala in ala. that where marked and handed down from my grandad to my dad to me.

[David, aka, "McScruff"]

Im assuming you mean bottom contour maps? I think they are very beneficial, especially for the angler who wants to know every subtle nuance of his home water. Also visitors to a new body of water find them handy.  As they say, "Knowing is half the battle." I like the maps printed on waterproof paper, too, mostly because I have never had high end electronics capable of utilizing todays digital information. A fish finder/GPS combo are about it for me.

I used to go to Lake Murray, SC a lot and felt "naked" without a hydrographic map in the gear locker. For those who have never heard of it, Murray is one of the largest reservoirs in the Southeast and has hundreds of miles of shoreline. Beneath it's waters are submerged communities, bridges, ferry crossings, railroad structures, churches, river and creek channels - you name it. I was never after striper and bass, like other anglers - back then, nice catfish were it. I can tell you this - serious catfishermen consider this kind of information invaluable.

The maps of the lake also show where cuts, sloughs, shallow flats, deep drop offs and other structure are. They show in detail where the dozens of man-made reefs and fish attractors are located, as well. The many marker lights, location buoys, monitored maritime radio channels, shore facilities and Life-Flight helo pads are detailed, too. Knowing where all these things are could literally mean the difference between catching and not catching fish.

Buzz the lake at NIGHT and they may be the difference between a safe trip and disaster. I still find myself studying a well-worn lake map, even though I haven't been on Murray in some years.

The one downside to these fantastic resources is they are restricted generally to the larger lakes and impoundments. So, if you could offer bottom mapping with a reasonable degree of accuracy, at a reasonable price, it might be a worthwhile niche service to add to your business.  If I had a large pond, I would like to know whats down there. Even for a smaller, local lake that is off the radar I think it would be helpful. And more importantly, I would pay a fair price for that knowledge.

[Dwayne Denison]

I love maps. since I dont have gps, I mark key locations on printed maps. I think printed maps are very useful.

[Leo Nguyen]

Not sure if you guys actually know, but Google Maps has a very useful tool for editing your own map data points. Try to check up on the Google Maps "My Places". I plot data points on the Google Maps all the time, and since I have a nice smartphone with live GPS software in it, I simply use the GPS signal to get me back to the spots that I last mapped coordinates with the spawning points, or habitats that they like to linger at. Invaluable tool to have.

[David, aka, "McScruff"]

Hey Leo I actually understood what you just said!

[Leo Nguyen]

LOL Great to hear.

[dick tabbert]

I wouldn't go out on the lake without one. If you can read a map it will tell you about everything. I fish lots of weeds. A good map will tell you the type of weed thats in a certain location. Tell you if they are submergent, emergent,Points, trees, Marsh, Dams, contour lines, old creek beds, rocky, Type of bottom. A good gives you so much information it's really foolish to be without one.

[Leo Nguyen]

Amen to that Dick. However, most contour maps sold on line, unless specified by the map producers, are years old. The contour can significantly be altered due to flooding/drought conditions. This is why I prefer working locally with the boys who have the upper end fish finder units that cost an arm, a leg, and my first born. Use those data recording, combine with the DrDepth software, and WHAM! instant constantly updated data of the lake's bottom. Since I don't have such luxury, us tubers and simple boaters simply record GPS coordinates, depths, metered info, fish species noted, and just plot the data on the Google Maps. Poor man's approach? LOL

[dick tabbert]

Leo, I get my maps from the Michigan DNR and Ohio DNR. All I do is type Michigan DNR lake maps on the internet. You are right though I think because they are free they don't feel compelled to kept them updated. Most of the lake I go to I've been going to forever but the maps still come in handy. The maps are loaded with a wealth of knowledge all you have to do is be able to read them.

[David, aka, "McScruff"]

Poor mans, yes, but empirical.

Even the best map cannot tell if fish can be caught in given location. You're method will. It's only drawback is you have to prove it in the field, on the fly.

Come to think of it that's not so bad, eh?

[dick tabbert]

Yes David but once you know your method you have to tear it apart. How deep am I fishing, Is there weeds, am I catching then on the inside of the weed drop off or outside the weed drop off. Is the lake bottom a hard or soft bottom. If you do your homework your almost there. Most of the time you can find other spots on the map like the one your catching your fish on and duplicate your fish catching somewhere else on the lake. Never cut your map short just learn how to read one. I can tell you there was a time I didn't believe in maps but now I use then lots especially if I'm on a new lack. There is loads of info at right at your finger tips. I've been fishing a very long time and I don't mind telling you I need all the help I can get, But I usually catch fish and love doing it as I know you do. Hey David lol and GOOD FISHING. 

[David, aka, "McScruff"]

I feel lost without a map, myself. Often, if I cannot get one, I will draw one myself. I try to determine where creeks enter, where channels run, where flats, structure and weed beds are and so on. Much of this can be seen with the naked eye, particularly on smaller bodies of water.

Naturally, there are things you cannot see - and that is where the map comes in.

In my case, I don't have a boat anymore and generally fish smaller waters from shore or pier/dock. Even then I mentally "create" a map from what I can see. Like you I think they are indispensable.