7 Great Ways to Discover New Fishing Spots

Whether you are an angler that has been fishing a long time or new to the activity, maybe you are on vacation or are simply bored of the same old, how do you find a new fishing spot? Whether it’s trout, saltwater fish, or bass fishing, here are some good ways to find a new fishingarea for some great fishing adventures.

1. Google Maps

In the world of Google Maps, it may not cross an angler’s mind to look for new fishing spots here. But, using Maps will not only show bodies of water, it will also let you use the “My Maps” option to track spots that you’ve already found so you have references for them.

Maps will allow notes to be made each time a marker is placed on a potential spot or one that is already found. There is space to write in fishing conditions, regulations, and any other information you will find helpful. The app allows the use of various icons and color-coding of markers.

The one downfall is that you don’t get a Streetview of the fishing spots. You will have to have 2 different tabs open. One can be the My Maps and the other the regular Google maps so there can be a closer look at the various bodies of water being looked into.

To find a fishing area, find a river and scroll around the coastal area. You are looking to find a spot where the river goes into a larger body of water. Then also follow along the river and find the tributaries. Make sure to note places you think might be a good area to scope out. Use the satellite photos on Google Maps and look for:

• Any areas where tributaries flow into a main river or body of water
• Areas where the river widens
• Bridges
• Places in the river with obstructions

Look for places where roads cross over a river. Bridges are often great fishing areas and give an angler good access to the water. Street view can show those bridges so you can assess before heading out. If the area is more rural, then you may have to go and take a closer look yourself.

Areas along the coast are somewhat different than rivers as anglers need to look for different features. Most fish choose their swimming area based on the current, structure, and water depth. If it is striped bass that is the target, then rocky shores and areas that have powerful tidal flows can be a good place to start. Fish such as flounder will be found in sandier areas that have slight drop-offs and general water flow. Look for the following in areas that are coastal and tidal:

• Wharves, docks that are either still being used or are abandoned
• Breakwaters
• Tidal rips
• Darker water indicating drop-offs
• Google Earth

While Google Maps can help with all of this, Google Earth can help,too. It often has historical pictures where the angler can see an area and how it looked in past seasons and years. It can show area conditions such as flooding, weed-lines or water levels depending on the time of year.

3. Fishing Apps

Every year, there are more apps to help find those elusive fishing spots. When combined with Google Maps, you can’t go wrong. Fishbrain is a good free app, but you have to make sure whichever one you usehas loaded works for a particular area. Apps such as this let the users post photos of what they have caught and link it to the body of water where it was caught. Anglers can look at others to see what people are catching and where. People can also post what they are using for bait, lures or fly, which may help with increasing the chances of a good catch.

The other great thing about these types of apps is you can often follow a body of water. This means that every time that someone catches something in that river or lake, then their followers will get a notification. You can follow particular anglers to see what they are catching and where.

4. Forums

These are great online sites that can connect an angler with fishing holes in their area or in other areas they will be visiting. Simply find an online forum for a particular area and then browse through the posts to see what others are saying. You will find new locations, but also be able to read conversations around lures, flies and other fishing gear that make fishing successful in a particular spot.

5. Facebook

A version of these forums is on Facebook. There are lots of Facebook fishing groups that target local areas. You will find photos and places of successful catches. Fish and Wildlife groups on Facebook that are run by either government or not-for-profits will also have info on great spots.

6. Fishing Supply Stores

Tackle shops are a great place to get advice on where to discover a new fishing spot. They want anglers to be successful, so they come back and buy more gear. If you catch fish, then you are going to need tackle, bait, and lots of other fishing odds and ends. Letting anglers know where to catch fish means they are connecting and growing a relationship with a returning customer.

7. Other Anglers

If your buddies are out fishing, then swap some tales and find out where you both have found some fish. There may be some local places you are not aware of, or if you are visiting the area, you may find a great place to start. Even if an angler can find out about a good general area, then they can do some more research on their own to narrow down the fishing hole location.

Final Thoughts

Discovering an elusive new fishing spot is great for any angler. Whether you find it online or by word of mouth, a new place means more fishing adventures. Always remember to be mindful of how busy an area may get. There needs to be some level of sanctity of an area, otherwise it will become overfished if all the anglers are jumping into the same spot. Enjoy your new fishing spots, but be respectful as well.