Mapping A Lake

[Feathers and Fins]

I have been updating my maps the last few weeks and thought it might be helpful to others to see how I do it and the process for making lake maps tailored to an individuals needs.

First in the process is to take the boat out to the lake and sonar and area, I do it with both side scann and down imaging though it can be done with down imaging.

Using your lake map with down imaging I snap a picture on my phone of sonar with the Map and down imaging on so I know what type of cover it is and where. When in doubt I will drop the Aquavu to verify.

After I have covered an area thoroughly I go home and pull up Navionics website and do a print screen capture of the specific area. I take the print screen and put it on my “Adobe PSE Editor” and color in the depth contours of the lake ( 5 ft to 10 ft intervals ) depending on how the navionics loads.

After that I will open Microsoft Excel and import the image to it so I can use the insert drawing image for shapes to identify specific structure types and then using boxes label the type and depth of structure.

Many of us have waypoints marked on our units but never see the big picture. Using the excel I can create page breaks and off to the side place the picture with an arrow to mark on the map along with knowing exact depth and orientation of structure. This enables me to see the big picture for a large area and when you build it starts ingraining in your head what an areas big picture is.

When you are complete you will see that picture and understand the area much better. For me It enables me to set-up a troll pattern to quickly verify with the down imaging what type of structure holds fish and if they are biting. I can then eliminate rock vs brush or transition banks vs pea gravel in very quick order. Within a short amount of time I know the fish are on Brush but not rock and I know they are holding on Brush off pea gravel but not Brush off Slab Rock. More to the point it tells me what species is there so I know how to proceed.

After the elimination passes are complete I can continue trolling or go back and work an area with crappie jigs or football jigs or cranks etc. This allows for putting more fish on the hook and less time scratching my head.

Here is how the maps work.

1. Take the Screen shot

1. Color the Depth Lines using Adobe

1. Open Excel and import the picture using 1 page landscape. Then start inserting the structure icons of your choice

1. Save as a PDF and open Adobe back up to save as a picture (jpg)

Typically this takes me 2 hours but on a very detailed / heavily structured area it can take more time.

Now you have a detailed picture of the area and can pick it apart much faster.

[Feathers and Fins]

I should note, THOSE ARE EXAMPLES and not a true map, Also where each is labeled I will have the exact depth of the structure at lake height I did it so I can quickly know based on current lake height how deep the structure is. I made this fast as an example only.

[J-Doc]

Waiting to see how this turns out.....

[npierceuark]

well done FF, impressive

[zarraspook]

You need to get that all together in a software package and sell it to Navionics !!!!!

Then you could BUY Beaver Lake and and then sell it to RAY SCOTT and then ...........

[Feathers and Fins]

lol, I think most fishermen are to lazy to go in to this much detail they want their waypoints and sonar and are happy. I am very detail orientated I want to know what it is why it is when it is blah blah blah. Besides making your own maps to me is fun. First you have to go FISHING to start so its a "reason" then you got to make the map and then go FISHING to check its accuracy so there is another "reason" to go fishing lol. See it all priorities

[zarraspook]

I like the way you think !!!!!!! and you just gave me a new argument to explain to the wife WHY I need to go fishing..... (LOL)

[J-Doc]

I like the way you think !!!!!!! and you just gave me a new argument to explain to the wife WHY I need to go fishing..... (LOL)

Let me know how that works out. I'd like to try it with mine. Lol!!

[Feathers and Fins]

As a matter of fact I just finished a few maps last night so I need to go check them today. Think I eat my lunch finish paperwork and then go check them. Any bets I have crappie by 3pm

[Feathers and Fins]

Ok is was 3:18 but I have a legitimate excuse I got in a great bass bite first

He started it and made me have to pull out a Jig, Stopped the boat and cast a flicker at the bush he came off of and this dang thing ate it before I even started to retrieve it was a surface hit. Then I pulled out a Keitech and started jigging the bottom at the tree for a few more walleye and some more bass.

But I did eventually decide to play with crappie.