Ever wonder how to get hold of fishing maps for the lakes and ponds around your area?
In the today's web-centric age, there are a couple of different map sources available;
- Sites/apps like those maintained by fish and wildlife agencies usually providing access to simple contour maps downloadable as PDF or image files and
- Sites/apps providing access to online interactive maps with lake contour options.
A wide variety of web site sources can be readily identified by entering a keyword phrase like "online lake contour sites" into your favorite search engine. Just click on the linked phrase and see what I mean :)
Since one of the tasks of state fish and wildlife agencies is the compilation and dissemination of useful information to anglers and hunters.
As a result, fisheries agencies often created lake contour or bathymetric maps for many lakes and ponds in their state. Typically those maps are provided as PDF files showing the water body and basic bathymetry contours depicting the general shape of the lake/pond's bottom. In some cases, the agency may provide additional information like the fish present, possible presence of vegetation, type of lake, access point & type, etc. too.
As examples of the types of information/formats available from different fishery agencies, several links are provided below:
Generally speaking these map packets have general information with low resolution contour maps but can be a great place to start when researching new bodies of water.
If you’re looking for more interactive options to access online fishing maps, you may also want to consider web-based map tech sites/apps like Navionic’s Webapp site.
The Navionics Webapp automatically detects your location and focuses you on your local area when the web app is opened.
Simply zoom in on the map to find lakes/ponds you want to check out, scroll the water body to center of page, zoom in and the details start to pop out in greater detail then the state maps mentioned above!
Simply click on the image below and start checking out the waterways in your favorite bassin’ area via the Navionics Web App site!
Another online lake contour map source you may want to consider is Fishidy.
The Fishidy site not only provides access to lake contour maps but also includes a means to log your catches and even connect with other local anglers and share experiences (if desired).
Fishidy (<== link) has both basic (free) and premium (paid) memberships. The difference between the two membership levels is summarized below (click image to access the Premium info page):
The major fish finder manufacturers also have mapping packages and online resources available that enable interaction with many of their sonar/mapping units they make. Be sure and check out their online mapping resources when shopping for your next fish finder!
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