Wesley Littlefield 08.13.25
As anglers, we’re at all times in search of an edge. We frequently use the most recent applied sciences, boats, and lures, however too many overlook fishing in new areas. Fishing in locations others normally overlook or discover troublesome to succeed in is how I’ve caught a few of the greatest bass of my life. I do that through the use of mapping apps like OnX Maps to search out secret fishing spots. Utilizing the method beneath, I’ve found a number of new native honey holes for financial institution, kayak, and boat fishing.
How you can Discover Secret Fishing Spots with OnX Maps
OnX Maps was initially supposed to assist hunters know the place they stand (on somebody’s non-public or public land). I used it that means for years, however I used to be pissed off at paying for a subscription I solely used throughout looking season. Then I spotted its potential to search out secret fishing spots that held big fish.
Step 1: Obtain the App/ Head to the Web site
Step 1 is a breeze. Obtain the OnX Maps app (or one other mapping app). I’ve additionally heard of the onWater Fish App, however I don’t have any expertise with it. The onWater Fish App will possible be the higher possibility when you solely fish.
When you’ve downloaded the apps, you would possibly get a free trial, however ultimately you’ll must pay for a subscription, which is the largest draw back to this course of. Nonetheless, it didn’t trouble me since I already paid for the subscription.
I like that the web site and app sync, so when you mark a spot in your laptop or pill, it’ll present up in your telephone, so long as you’re utilizing the identical profile.
Step 2: Discover Public Land with Water Entry
Now, it’s time to start discovering public fish spots. To do that, I set my map layers to Gov Lands and Potential Entry. Then, I zoom into my native space and search for the highlighted areas marked public (or government-owned). Generally it’s state lands, federal/Corps lands, and even metropolis property the place I discover a pond or entry to a creek or lake.
Generally these locations require particular permits or day charges to entry the water and fish. Different instances, the perfect locations to fish are solely accessible by strolling an incredible distance or by water, which is simply one more reason why I like my fishing kayak.
Now that you’ve got discovered a brand new spot, mark it with a waypoint. Whenever you create a waypoint, you possibly can title it, use an emblem, and use a colour that finest matches what you’ve discovered. As you zoom out and in, the waypoint will stay seen, making it straightforward to search out in your map.
Step 3: Discover Personal Ponds
Discovering non-public lakes and ponds to fish is rather more troublesome, regardless that they’re extra considerable. It’s grow to be more and more tougher to search out landowners prepared to let me fish their ponds, however I nonetheless have just a few because of discovering the ponds on OnX Maps.
To search out non-public fishing waters, I turned off the layers I beforehand had on and turned on the Personal Land layer. Doing this reveals the landowners’ names and public data that will help you attain out and ask for permission.
When asking for permission, at all times be respectful and depart the place higher than you discovered it. If the landowner says, Sure, however don’t go in a selected space, don’t go in that space.
My grandpa used to allow folks on his land, however he stop letting folks entry his land once they began going close to his race horses after he informed them to not.
You’ll additionally need to mark and title these non-public spots with waypoints to make them straightforward to search out when it’s time to move to the water.
Step 4: Go Fishing!
Now it’s time to go fishing in any respect the key (and not-so-secret) fishing spots you’ve found! That is the perfect half as a result of your hours of researching are about to repay, or not. I’ve additionally discovered many locations the place I received skunked. Once I’m sure there are only a few or no fish, I delete the waypoint, so it doesn’t litter up my display and make me assume I ought to attempt it once more.
Final Solid: Discover Secret Fishing Spots with OnX Maps
That is my easy course of to search out secret fishing spots with OnX Maps. I ought to observe that they’re engaged on an OnX Fish model, nevertheless it’s at the moment solely providing data for midwestern states. It’s also possible to attempt to use this course of with Google Earth and Google Maps to avoid wasting slightly cash. Nonetheless, the comfort of apps like OnX is extremely interesting, particularly as they proceed so as to add useful options.
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