Being able to find fish on a lake before you even put your boat in the water is key to a successful day on the water. Looking at a map and being able to read the bottom of the lake and determine the migration route the fish will follow to and from the feeding grounds and where the feeding grounds are from a map is important. This way the time you spend fishing will be in the more productive areas of the lake instead of casting blindly and hoping for something to come along.

Remember of course that a map is worth it only if you take the time to learn to read it properly. Tackle shops often carry plastic maps but these often lack true accuracy.

The lines represent the depth breaks with each line showing changes in depth that graduate from shore to the deepest water in the lake. You can find the break or desired depth change on a map just as you can by looking for it on the water. During warm water seasons fish will relate to a more gradual slope or break and during colder water seasons a sharper drop into deeper water will be their choice.

Maps show you if a stream drains south or north facing watersheds or if you face meadows, rapids or waterfalls. Maps also show the easy way back to shore, the best spots to find gas, gear, etc.