There are five general types of maps available:
Overview maps – These include state atlases, county and regional maps (platbooks). Although these maps are useful for determining how to get to the lake, water detail is lacking.
USGS Quadrangle maps – These are commonly referred to at “quads” or “topos.” They show land contours (topography), roads, towns plus various land and water features. The large-scale, 7’1/2 minute series quads are available for nearly the entire country and have a standardized scale of 1 inch equals 2,000 feet. Even though many of these maps are dated, detail for fishermen is adequate, with some boat landing shown as well as stream bridge crossings, natural landmarks and general topography. However, quads often don’t have detailed lake contour/depth information.
Navigation charts – Made only for large, commercially navigable rivers, the Great Lakes, saltwater, these charts are accurate, but costly. Done primarily by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association (NOAA), the navigation charts, as the name implies, show dredged channels, buoys, piers, reefs, shoals and hazards in excellent detail to assure safe boating.
Lake or River maps – Maps of this type concentrate on water depths and sub-surface structure. Lake maps show little of the surrounding area and road information. They furnish little fishing information. Many of these were made many years ago and are often hand-drawn and inaccurate.
Fishing maps – Created specifically for anglers, these quality maps feature accurate contour/depth information and add can offer top notch fishing and navigation info as well. The maps are drawn to scale and include approach roads to boat landings, marinas and parks. These provide great detail of the surface and underwater world of fish.
Fishing maps show locations fish frequent. Structure is the term most frequently used to describe these places. Fish relate closely to boat docks, fallen trees, underwater islands, weedbeds and anything unusual to the normal underwater scene. Maps identify these potential fish-catching sites. Contour, or hydrographic maps, show edges.
An edge is the end of some type of structure or cover, such as a weedline, brushline or the borders of an old creek channel. Edges attract gamefish because they are major feeding areas. Knowing where edges exist will put you in direct contact with fish.
Fishermen often use the term “breakline” to describe a distinct increase in depth. Studying maps help anglers locate this feature. The term is also used to denote areas where there are definite changes in other characteristics such as water clarity, temperature and oxygen content.
Transition zones are found where bottom changes from one material to another. An example would be a tapering sand flat ending in a bottom of solid rock. Fish relate closely to where these materials change. Careful map reading will show breaklines and transition zones where you fish.
Using a map of a lake or reservoir will prevent you from casting water where there are no fish. You can concentrate your efforts on the most productive sections of the water. When you pick up some allegedly hot tip about a certain body of water, studying a map before you go will help confirm or deny the information.
Once you become familiar with what a map can do to improve your fishing, you won’t want to hit the water without one. A map is just as important as a tackle box full of lures.
Continue to Part III
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