LOST?

Maps offer more than just your way back

by Kevin Cegielski

     There’s nothing like getting lost on a huge Canadian reservoir to teach a novice to bring or more importantly use a lake map. It happened to me back in 2001while fishing with my brother Kyle on Lac Seul, 40 miles north of Dryden. Lac Seul’s 358,000 acres can consume any angler, especially newcomers like us --who didn’t know how to read our lake map.

     Sound like a recipe for disaster?  It got worse…the walleye were jumping in the boat that evening and we had left ourselves plenty of daylight to make it back to camp-if we knew the way back.  Was that thunder I just heard in the distance? It quickly became clear if we missed one river channel, or passed too many islands before our main turn, we would spend the night on the water.  Suddenly, I was beginning to long for my musty bunk and Dad’s snoring.

    This experience came to me while preparing for this years trip to Lac Seul with eight friends. The lodge is a boat-in outpost camp, and provides all the necessities.  Boats, gas, no-cull club, and last but not least-a map for each boat.

 

Maps provide much more than just your location

     From a safety standpoint, a topographical lake map can save your life, but it’s also much more.

     With 8 men in four boats, there’s no reason to all fish in the same place at the same time.  We’ll decide on an exact location, split up for the morning, and regroup later for a relaxing shore lunch.

    A coworker recently asked me; “what good is a map if I don’t know where I’m going anyway?” Good question, and here’s your answer.  Even an inexperienced angler is going to eventually find some fish, especially when fishing in Canada.  Establish your location on the map and mark it.  You’ll at least be able to find that spot again.  If you know what you’re looking for, a map can keep you on fish all week.  After you’ve guided your buddy onto a good number of fish, mark your map.  But don’t just mark it; study it.  Wind direction, water depth, bottom structure, time of day, boat positioning and lure selection will be reasons you’re on fish.  After the bite slows a bit, use your map to find a similar spot.  Was it the south side of a wind-blown island?  Was it on the tip of a peninsula, trolling crank baits in 25 feet?   There are probably hundreds of spots like that on the water you’re fishing.

     When planning a trip, finding a map is one of my top priorities.  Most fishing lodges provide a map, whether you’re in Canada or near home.  If you’re unsure of its quality, or if you’ll be given one, you can find your own.  One of the best ways to find one is to contact that state or province’s department of natural resources.  If they cant’ help you, they will tell you who can.  If you have a computer, do a search to find private companies that produce and sell topographical lake maps.  As the detail and quality of a map increase, so does the price.  But like everything else, you get what you pay for.  I recently ordered one for the southwest section of Lac Seul.  It was $29.99, and has the following features-3D, color, depth break-lines, water depths, water hazards, and lamination.  I found this one at www.Trakmaps.com, and feel it was worth every penny. Another great source for Canadian lake maps is Canada Map Sales at www.canadamapsales.com they have a map for virtually every lake in Canada.   

    Good thing for Kyle and I the fishing was outstanding on Lac Seul that night.   As we luckily guessed our way back, we found 2 more boats from our group staying late too.  With minutes of daylight to spare, (and disguising our panic attack) all three boats made it back to camp.