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02/04/2025 03:37PM |
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01/31/2025 01:42PM |
I’ve looked at the maps available on MN DNR info page, but just curious if there are other websites or apps that are helpful to scout out maps for depth, structure, etc? Thanks!
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02/01/2025 06:02AM |
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02/02/2025 08:24PM |
GPS Nautical Charts
I have a Lowrance Eagle 5 fish finder unit and it comes with coverage for many Boundary waters lakes. Unfortunately, map coverages stops at the border and you don't even get accurate lake outlines for Canada.
Like RMinMN pointed out much of the depth information is not accurate, most of the mapping companies get their base data from the same sources.
If you want accurate maps, your best bet is to log your own data and create your own map. You can easily do this with Lowrance units by uploading your sonar logs to their CMAP genesis social map. (www.genesismaps.com ) The service is free, but the data is publicly shared. I have started doing this for my Quetico trips, I think I am the first to do so, but there are also a few Boundary water logs submitted. Of course you will most likely not map an entire lake except for maybe small ones, but the idea is to build the data over time with sections of lake to get a more complete map as time goes on. (Navionics/Garmin has a similar service, with their annual subscription fee. Humminbird requires you to purchase a special SD card just to record your data.)
Here is some of my sonar log data overlaid over a custom map that I created for Quetico.
As you zoom in you see more detail on the contours up to 1 ft resolution.
The 1ft resolution can be a little hard to look at, so you also have the option of reducing the detail to make the map cleaner looking.
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02/10/2025 10:39AM |
Z4K: "I am still a Navionics subscriber but I am continually disappointed in the accuracy of their bathymetry within the BWCA. They might as well not have contours if they're going to be so wrong, half of the time I think someone just pencil whipped their maps from the office."
Many lakes were mapped through the ice with a weighted line in the 1930s by the Civilian Conservation Corps. The depth contours are rough extrapolations.
A fair number of others were mapped with sonar starting in the 1960s with varying levels of accuracy. It's a very expensive endeavor to fly into a lake and map it with non-motorized means.
Commercial sources for maps are generally using the data from the state maps and making them more attractive (and pretending to be more accurate) by just adding contours between the 10 foot intervals produced by the state.
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02/22/2025 05:59PM |
Hard to get good contours in the BWCA since no motors are allowed. Dragging all that tech and stuff over portages just to have the chore of paddling back and forth and back and forth and back and forth.....well it's limited
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02/11/2025 08:53AM |
arnesr: "Here is one online source that you can view for potential spots:
GPS Nautical Charts
I have a Lowrance Eagle 5 fish finder unit and it comes with coverage for many Boundary waters lakes. Unfortunately, map coverages stops at the border and you don't even get accurate lake outlines for Canada.
Thanks for the reply, that’s very helpful! For whatever the navionics web app isn’t loading right for me on phone or laptop. Your link is great, I know they may not be super accurate maps but it can really help to know where to start looking. You can usually get a sense of where you can find mid lake structure too
Like RMinMN pointed out much of the depth information is not accurate, most of the mapping companies get their base data from the same sources.
If you want accurate maps, your best bet is to log your own data and create your own map. You can easily do this with Lowrance units by uploading your sonar logs to their CMAP genesis social map. (www.genesismaps.com ) The service is free, but the data is publicly shared. I have started doing this for my Quetico trips, I think I am the first to do so, but there are also a few Boundary water logs submitted. Of course you will most likely not map an entire lake except for maybe small ones, but the idea is to build the data over time with sections of lake to get a more complete map as time goes on. (Navionics/Garmin has a similar service, with their annual subscription fee. Humminbird requires you to purchase a special SD card just to record your data.)
Here is some of my sonar log data overlaid over a custom map that I created for Quetico.
As you zoom in you see more detail on the contours up to 1 ft resolution.
The 1ft resolution can be a little hard to look at, so you also have the option of reducing the detail to make the map cleaner looking.
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02/03/2025 06:03PM |
GPS Nautical Charts
I have not actually used it on my phone, but they do have an android and iphone app that they claim can do offline maps. Click on the Buy icon in the lower right corner for details."
I have not seen this site before, wow! Thank you for sharing! I use Navionics for my ice fishing adventures so I was planning on using that for our trip this year. They also have the ability to download offline maps, but I have never tried to use it. Every time I go ice fishing I forget to turn off my data to give it a try.
With the price of Navionics skyrocketing I might just have to switch to this one! It's currently on sale for only $20.....I think I paid $150 for Navionics
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02/03/2025 02:20PM |
Any one know of any or a different phone gps app that has BWCA lake contours?
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02/03/2025 03:13PM |
JimEb: "I’ve got the Gaia and Avenza gps apps on my phone but can’t seem to find any map downloads that have lake contours.
Any one know of any or a different phone gps app that has BWCA lake contours?"
GPS Nautical Charts
I have not actually used it on my phone, but they do have an android and iphone app that they claim can do offline maps. Click on the Buy icon in the lower right corner for details.