For anglers maps are the key to knowing where to go; what you will see and how to get back; in addition to knowing what’s below the water’s surface. Successful anglers use a number of different maps from paper to their GPS units mounted on their boats, but that’s only the beginning of mapping resources available. At MyTopo.com, anglers can get custom maps or professional mapping services, custom topographic, satellite, and aerial photograph map products; in addition to internet based mapping services.

The internet and mapping software has changed mapping forever. Image having USGS topographic maps, aerial photos, off-road topographic maps, 2D maps, 3D maps, trail maps, and other maps available at your finger tips. It’s all possible with the following topo maps and powerful software:

Terrain Navigator Pro:  Terrain Navigator Pro combines USGS topographic maps, aerial photos and our most advanced software tools. Terrain Navigator Pro is fast becoming the standard for mapping professionals and committed outdoor enthusiasts who rely on accurate, detailed topos that can be used in the office and in the field with GPS.

Terrain Navigator: For those who do not need aerial photos and professional software tools, Terrain Navigator is a good choice. With off-road topographic maps for an entire state, it is easy to use. Just one mouse click turns flat 2D maps into vivid 3D images making contour lines come alive.

MyTopo Map Pass Subscription Service: Instant access to topo maps, aerial photos, map tools, and map prints/downloads from any Web browser.

Trimble Outdoors: With Trimble Outdoors, you can find trails, navigate MyTopo maps, take photos and share your outdoor adventures with friends. In addition, you can plan trips in advance with online map tools. It’s available on more than 200 phones.

Going pre-fishing on a lake is one way to prepare for that upcoming fishing tournament. Anglers will run around the lake searching for locations where fish will be during the tournament then drive around looking for similar spots. It’s referred to as pattern fishing, but this can be time consuming and expensive with the price of gas. Tthe hat’s where maps and mapping software can assist in finding those locations with their topographic maps and aerial photos. In fact, anglers often use aerial photos when fishing rivers systems to find productive fishing locations or navigational routes. Just this year in the Bassmaster Elite Series tournament on Arkansas River anglers were flying over taking photos. That’s an expensive way to get aerial photos that are available on some mapping software. Aerial photos also let you see the whole reservoir system.

Topo maps (www.mytopo.com/maps.cfm&pid=wiegmann) are also valuable resource of information anglers can use to their advantage when it comes to finding fish. High bluffs or river flats are easily seen on topo maps; in addition to roads or boat ramps. Not only are topo maps great sources of information, they are extremely accurate. Some software even lets anglers print out topo maps on their own printers. So you can zoom in and get what specific area you were fishing or looking at fishing.

There are so many advantages to having your own software or a subscription to a map service it seems like all anglers would be smart utilize the technology. Even anglers out fishing for fun can find new places to fish in their home lake with mapping technology.