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Posts: 79
| Does anybody out there know or is there any software to make your own lake map using your GPS/Sonar... I go fishing In Canada which has no maps for lake and would be kinda nice to map out points and drop offs and then print it out for a custom map...... |
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Posts: 13
Location: Mille Lacs | I'm sure there are others, but I know you can do this with ESRI ArcMap and other GIS applications. You can also use something like gpsvisualizer.com although it's not flexible as stand alone GIS program. |
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Posts: 16632
Location: The desert | You could do it manually by getting a Satelite photo of the map and creating a scaled version of the perimeter (shore) and print that out. Go out on the lake you want to map and make several transects of the lake making note of depths and a set interval of time, usually every 3 to 5 seconds, depending on how accurate you'd like to be. Once you have several transects in every direction you can look at the depth values and create a contour map by doing a little 'connect the dots' so to speak. It might not show you the subtle humps and what not, but it will give you a fairly decent idea of how the lake is set up and once you fish the lake more you could draw in the humps or other neat structure you find out there.
I did this for a smaller lake up in Tomahawk and it turned out pretty good. |
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Posts: 8837
| You can import GPS coordinates into a higher end arcitectural program like AutoCAD, convert your waypoints to .DXF points, assign a Z height (or depth below ground plane in this case) to each point, and use the program to generate a 3D elevation of the bottom contour of the lake. It's better than simple contour lines because you can actually view it, rotate it, and print it in 3D. Very cool stuff! |
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Posts: 79
| I was wondering if you you would go over structure and saved it on memory card and was able to play back on computer and find out depth and gps coordinates then make a grid transfer it to a Google map... I do have Auto/cad at work but I am just starting to learn it but would be cool to be able to do that |
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Posts: 412
Location: Waukesha, WI | with the Lowrance gps/sonar units, I've recorded sonar logs to chip and copied them to my computer. Lowrance offers their Sonar Viewer for free, and you can also use it to export the data differently. Once exported (and maybe sooner), you can parse that however you want and/or use a combination of MapCreate, 3Dfield, Dr Depth, Fugawi Global Navigator, MapEdit, CAD etc to get the end product.
Not sure what options are available with other GPS/sonar brands.
http://www.hightechfishing.com has tips etc you might find useful. |
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Posts: 224
Location: Madison | I have emailed the major players (Lowrance, Humminbird, etc) asking for the same thing, for the same reasons. Please let 'em know you're looking for this - if enough of us request the feature, gotta believe it will eventually be offered.
Edited by waldo 12/11/2007 1:53 PM
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Posts: 79
| I talked to the Lakemaster rep at St Paul Ice show he said it is available on line if you search for it I tried could not find any software googled it came up with Gis which I don't know what that means He said the Walleye guys have....and make their own
Edited by SHEEPHEAD 12/11/2007 7:44 PM
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Posts: 199
Location: Sandusky, OH | Go to the hightechfishing website, run by Doc Sampson. Lots of good information there on that topic, and links to several software packages that will convert the xyz data from your lowrance to countour maps. The software packages start around $100.
We are starting to do this around here, and it works really well. Just requires a Lowrance with SD card slot (don't try saving it to the hard drive, because the current software ideration glitches when you try transfering it to the card. Save directly to the card.).
Eric |
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making your own lake map