GPS Lake Maps For Over 4000 Minnesota Lakes

With spring almost here and getting the fever to get back out in the boat and fish different bodies of water this year I have ordered a CD with some lakes on it from Kirsch’s Outdoor Products that are calibrated so I can go to the place on the map on my computer and just click the mouse on that spot and the GPS location shows up on the map. I am looking forward to downloading these maps onto my GPS unit to use to get to the spots I want to fish. After having a chance to use these maps this upcoming season I will report back on them. To get a better idea of just what I am talking about I have included a link below that will take you to a thread where Scott, Derek and Kirsch share a few things about these lake maps by Kirsch. I had already purchased the Navoinics Chip for Mn. and Iowa last fall and now with obtaining the maps of lakes that I can hand pick from Kirsch I will have my favorite lakes with GPS spots on them too.

Thanks, Bill

Lake Maps by Kirsch

Thanks for the post, Bill. One of the great things about this system as Bill mentions is that you tell me what lakes you want. I don’t include and make a client pay for lakes you will never use.

At this time, the maps themselves do not upload to the GPS but the tracks and waypoints a fisherman marks on the maps do transfer to virtually any GPS all the way from the oldest Garmin models all the way up to the newest Lowrance models. Included are Magellan and Eagle GPS units as well. In addition the lake maps can be printed in a variety of ways to help a fisherman have an on-the-water reference. Enjoy the lakes Bill.

I have found that these maps are not very accurate. Don’t want to trip anyones trigger here. It’s just that I have tried one any only a few of the structures were correct, very few! The one I got for Ottertail is way off, Some of the structures are not even there or 1/4 mile off! Just my two cents worth! Anyone else have this problem? Is it just mine? I also had the same results with the reel bottom maps!

Rainman2,

I am quite surprised by this especially with the Ottertail map. I use the Ottertail map myself and have found this map to be especially accurate. Many of the areas I fish in the NE areas of the lake are within a few feet of accuracy or are right on.

I even have a few guides on Ottertail who have used my map and have given me very positive feedback about the accuracy of the map.

I just want to verify you are speaking about Kirsch’s Outdoor Products or Kirsch’s Mapping Service Maps and not some other companies product.

If you are talking about my Ottertail map and are not satisfied, I always have a 100% money back guarantee. You are the first person to date that I have heard from that has not been happy with this map.

One other thing to try is to verify your GPS is set to Map Datum WGS 84 and it is set to Degrees, Min. If these were set incorrectly on the GPS, it could throw the spots off.

I haven’t changed the calibration of Ottertail for some time but if you are intertested, I can send you another copy if for some reason your copy is defective.

Just as an example, I have attached a picture that shows 2 trolling passes on 2 humps on Ottertail. These are not mock ups but actual track files from my GPS of when I was on Ottertail. Notice how the the trolling passes show up exactly on the humps. Not only was it right on, but the waypoint that I had marked on the top of this hump was right on. I did not include the waypoint on the picture as it would cover up the detail.

I merely drove out to the edge of the structure and started fishing around these two humps. The line connecting the two humps is simply the way I drove in between them so don’t be alarmed that it didn’t follow the structure.

My calibration is only as good as the base DNR maps. Some of them are quite good and some are not as accurate. I can assure you that I take every effort in getting these maps as accurate as possible.

Rainman,

I had the same problem… until I figured out that the format of the LAT/LON numbers on my gps were different than were on lakemaster maps. Once I corrected that I discovered that they are right on the mark.

Kirsch, You will be getting a E-mail from me! I will also try to send the receipt from you as well on the OT map. I looked at all the settings on my GPS and they appear to be right! I would definitly like to try another map! Thanks for the info!

Rainman

Korey, Are you using the WGPS84 datum or the North American Datum? Possibly some users are using the wrong datum on their units?

Derek, this can throw things off. The OziExplorer software does a really good job of converting these types of differences but you are right can still cause things to be off. My maps are all based off Map Datum WGS 84. Most GPS will have this set by default, but if it isn’t should be changed to accomodate. Since Ozi takes care of most of these differences in transfer of waypoints, when users don’t use the automatic transfer and hand-enter waypoints this is when the greatest risk occurs. I have been working with Rainman and am sending him a new CD and we should be able to get his situation figured out. Thanks for the help and advice. Good fishing.