Where To Find Topographic Maps?

[skeletor6]

So I noticed many people at other lakes have these nice detail-oriented topo maps of their lakes. Some even in color and are very descriptive. Here in Michigan, the only topographic maps I can find for the inland lakes here is on the DNR website.

I would really like to know where I can find better maps of my lakes that I fish. After watching Glenn's video on the subject, He mentioned the professional anglers would look at 8 or 9 maps of a lake to get an idea of what they are going to try and do. I would like to just be able to find one map, besides the black and white one .

Can anybody lead me in the right direction as to where to find these maps? It would be greatly appreciated and I think it would help me find better spots to fish at. Thanks!!

PS. http://www.dnr.state.mi.us/SPATIALDATALIBRARY/PDF_MAPS/INLAND_LAKE_MAPS/MONTCALM/CLIFFORD_LAKE.PDF

That is all the information I can find for my lake. It is in black and white and it does not give me a good enough idea for creek channels, points etc. Sure I can see a few, but after watching Glenn's video....I wish I could get a better map.

[Wayne P.]

The map you posted is the most detailed I can find. It is better than the one Navionics has.

You don't have a lot of "features" with those glacial lakes.

Navionics has an Android and iPhone app that has those lakes as well as a PC app. Check their website.

[Addicted to Smallies]

There are a couple of free options out there on the web. I sometimes use Acme Mapper online to view topo maps and other map views. No charts (yet) but the topo maps help to show the creek inlets, etc. Also handy since it shows the GPS coordinates easily.

http://mapper.acme.com/

If you are fishing NAVIGABLE bodies of water and want to see charts, then try EarthNC's online viewer. This site gives you the standard nautical charts, and you can overlay them on satellite imagery as well. It's a little slow, but it works well enough.

http://earthnc.com/online-nautical-charts

[NBR]

Call D & R Sports in Kalamazoo. At least at one time they had a good selection of topo maps of many MI lakes.

[skeletor6]

The map you posted is the most detailed I can find. It is better than the one Navionics has.

You don't have a lot of "features" with those glacial lakes.

Navionics has an Android and iPhone app that has those lakes as well as a PC app. Check their website.

Thank you for your help searching. Is Navionics likely to have a more detailed map then the one I linked to? It seems rather expensive.

There are a couple of free options out there on the web. I sometimes use Acme Mapper online to view topo maps and other map views. No charts (yet) but the topo maps help to show the creek inlets, etc. Also handy since it shows the GPS coordinates easily.

http://mapper.acme.com/

If you are fishing NAVIGABLE bodies of water and want to see charts, then try EarthNC's online viewer. This site gives you the standard nautical charts, and you can overlay them on satellite imagery as well. It's a little slow, but it works well enough.

http://earthnc.com/o...nautical-charts

Thank you for those links. There are some structures that I can see from the satellite view and with the topographical map I may be able to find possible sources where water runs off into the lake.

Call D & R Sports in Kalamazoo. At least at one time they had a good selection of topo maps of many MI lakes.

Interesting, I will give them a call and see if it is worth the drive. When purchasing such a map, are they allocated by county, or do you buy one per specific lakes?

[hooah212002]

Walmart usually has some good maps of local lakes, but they are relatively expensive. The ones at the local walmart indicate vegetation and even what fish are frequently caught in different spots on the lake, as well as depths, shoreline structure/cover and whether or not the shoreline is developed. Presumably, the local baitshops have them as well.

[skeletor6]

Walmart usually has some good maps of local lakes, but they are relatively expensive. The ones at the local walmart indicate vegetation and even what fish are frequently caught in different spots on the lake, as well as depths, shoreline structure/cover and whether or not the shoreline is developed. Presumably, the local baitshops have them as well.

Wow, what doesn't Walmart have? What department were they in if you can remember?

[George Welcome]

USGS Information Services

Box 25286

Denver, CO 80225

1-888-ASK-USGS or 1-303-202-4700

Fax: 303-202-4693

Most states do not distribute topographic maps to individuals, however you can contact the above and see if they are available for your area at a price.

[hooah212002]

Wow, what doesn't Walmart have? What department were they in if you can remember?

The fishing department at the counter where you buy fishing licenses.

[Wayne P.]

No, the Navionics does NOT have more detail than the map you posted, it has less. I didn't check the other two lakes.

I checked the Android app I have on my tablet and the Navionics Hotmaps Premium I use with my sonar/GPS units.

The map you posted is more personalized for use at that location like those done for parks and recreational areas. You will not find a USGS map with any of the notes and markings like that one has.