Lakemaster GPS Map Chip Reviewed: 2009 Minnesota & 2009 Wisconsin
Reviewed By: James Holst
Lake / River: Mississippi River (Pools 2 – 10)
Additional Information: http://www.lakemap.com/newlakemaster2009products.aspx
My goal with this review is to update IDO members as to the scope of coverage and level of detail available for the Mississippi River on the newly released 2009 Lakemaster GPS Map Chips for Minnesota & Wisconsin. This review will focus on waters downstream of the Lock & Dam Installation #1 in St. Paul, MN. Waters upstream of Lock & Dam #1 will not be covered with this review.
The three primary items that I will cover with this review will be:
1) – where does Mississippi River coverage begin and end for each respective chip.
2) – which pools are covered in hi-definition 1′ contours.
3) – marking of wingdams and which chip(s) provide coverage.
Coverage:
The 2009 Minnesota Chip from Lakemaster has excellent detail of the Mississippi River starting at Lock and Dam #1 in St. Paul, MN. The general shape of the river and attached backwaters and harbors are shown. Wingdam placement appears to be accurate with wingdams displayed starting approximately at the Holmen Field airport. I can attest to the high level of accuracy of wingdam placement in this area of Pool 2 from use of the 2008 Lakemaster chip last season.
Lakemaster 2009 Minnesota Chip – Pool 2 @ Holmen Field Airport
The 2009 Wisconsin Chip offers only basic detail of the Mississippi River starting at Lock & Dam #1 and the area is shown in this basic display downstream to within a mile or so of the 494 bridge. Wingdams are displayed from the Holmen Field Airport south to the 494 bridge although the river shape is very basic in form from the airport downstream past Pigs Eye Lake. At the point just upstream of the 494 bridge the information displayed appears to closely resemble the information available on the 2009 Minnesota chip. Given the Wisconsin portion of the Mississippi River doesn’t come into play until an angler gets south of Prescott, WI on Pool 3 any coverage of Upper pool 3 and Pool 2 should be considered a bonus at any detail level.
Lakemaster 2009 Wisconsin Chip – Pool 3 @ Prescott, WI
From the 494 bridge on Pool 2 and south both the 2009 Minnesota and Wisconsin chips appear to share the same data and level of accuracy to the Minnesota / Iowa border.
The 2009 Minnesota chip covers the Mississippi River in full detail well past the Minnesota / Iowa border. Wingdams are marked and the Mississippi River is shown in full detail on the 2009 Minnesota chip to approximately Mile Marker 529 which is just north of Clayton, IA on Pool 10. South of Mile Marker 529 detail is more basic as the Mississippi winds its way through further south along the Iowa / Wisconsin border.
The 2009 Wisconsin chip shows the Mississippi River in full detail well past the Wisconsin border. Full detail, with wingdams marked, continues to Mile Marker 523 at Guttenberg, IA. Downstream of Guttenberg the river is displayed in high detail but wingdams are NOT marked past Guttenberg, IA.
Hi-Definition Areas:
As was the case with the 2008 Minnesota chip Pool 4 and Pool 8 on the 2009 Minnesota & Wisconsin chips are the areas covered with 1′ contours.
Lakemaster 2009 Minnesota Chip – Pool 4 @ Lock & Dam #3
Lakemaster 2009 Minnesota Chip – Lower Pool 4 @ Reeds Landing
Lakemaster 2009 Wisconsin Chip – Pool 8 @ Lock & Dam #7
Are Wingdams Marked & on Which Pools?:
Wingdams are marked on both the 2009 Minnesota & Wisconsin chips starting on Pool 2 at Holmen Field Airport in St. Paul, MN south to Guttenberg, IA on Pool 10. All pools from Pool 2 – Pool 10 will have excellent coverage on both chips.
Lakemaster 2009 Wisconsin Chip – Pool 5 @ Minneiska, MN
Wingdams are displayed on both the Minnesota and Wisconsin 2009 chips covering all pools from Pools 2 – 10 as shown in the Pool 5 @ Minneiska, MN screen capture above.
If anyone is interested in a specific area on the Mississippi River or has questions regarding these two chips don’t hesitate to ask. We’ll be happy to investigate the resources available to us and post your answer or requested image here ASAP.
That being said, that chip is unbelievably accurate for locating dams and finding spots on the spot!