View Part 1 HERE

I finally got to take the map back up to Walker Lake to test it's integrity. I wanted to check random depths, measurements and any visible structure either in the lake or around the shoreline. 


I started down the North side of the lake, just off the boat launch, and measured the depth at every point where the depth was written on the map. Each of these depths was correct, both by my reading on the sonar and my length of rope that I used to measure depths under 10 feet. 


I then looked for the major landmarks and cover points on the map. I measured these areas via GPS and the measurement tool available through Google Maps (I used my Android phone for this section). My phone was picking up 8 satellites while taking measurements and stated it was accurate within 2 meters (~6ft.). All of the structures and landmarks I measured were within 10 feet of what the map stated. 


I feel even more confident about fishing at Walker now that I have tested this map. While we were measuring, we even had a few hits on a Rapala Xrap we were throwing around some porcupine cribs. These maps will definitely come in handy when trying to find good spots to ice fish. All you'd have to do is find some cribs or black bass boxes, set up over them and you should get yourself a limit fairly quick. I highly recommend getting a few maps from HLS maps. They are easy to read, make finding cover and structure a lot easier and they aren't overly big, so they are easy to carry. 

I recently had the opportunity to get my hands on a structure map of Walker Lake made by Huntingtons Lake Structure Maps. Overall, I was very impressed with the amount of information on this map. It is very easy to read and offers a lot of things that I didn't even know about Walker (and I have been fishing it a long time). 

I should note that this was a 'first run' of this map and this is NOT for final production. All of the information is there, but they sometimes make slight revisions for their final map. 

Build Quality:
All maps are printed on 36"x24" paper and are laminated and waterproof. The size of the map makes it an easy read, yet it's still small enough to carry along with you (each map comes in a protective tube). The quality of the map is great. It's printed on nice heavy paper and the lamination gives it a nice feel. I could see this laying in the boat without getting destroyed or worn. You can also write on the map with a dry erase marker to add information about hot spots you may find on your own. 

Usefulness:
As I said in the beginning - this map offered structure locations that I didn't even knew existed. It also shows the locations of several underground springs that I would have never found without this map. The springs will be invaluable information when fishing for walleye and pike, as they will tend to hold closer to this cold current.  

The map also shows the locations of man made structures like porcupine cribs and black bass boxes. Each piece of structure has an accompanying letter, each letter then offers more information about that piece of structure (like distance from landmarks, best times to fish it, etc...). Other key items included on the map are depths, creek channels, steep inclines, bottom type, and other natural cover (like timber, grass or rock). 

Aside from the actual map, there are many other pieces of information that go along with the map. There is an overall lake analysis which provides a more general overview of the lake (when's the best time to fish, what species are in the lake, overall visibility and ice information). There is also some background information on the lake for all you history buffs (like me).

This is where I'll end part 1 of this review. There was a recent fish kill on Walker due to the intense heatwave in the area and it has been affecting the fishing tremendously (even though only a few dead bass were found, the Pa Boat and Fish Commission stated that bass are being caught at an all time low). To give this map a fair shot on the lake, I want to give the lake a few more weeks to re-cooperate until I actually fish with the map. I'll probably take this map out around the end of Sept. or early Oct., so watch for Part 2 around that time.

Even without taking this map out to fish, I can tell you that it is going to be an invaluable tool. There are many things I never knew about Walker that will surely increase my chances at catching a lunker. I can also see that this map would almost be a necessity for ice anglers. They would know exactly where the cover and deeper haunts would be, without having to waste time. 

I will definitely be buying more of these maps - I'll go as far as saying I won't be fishing a new lake without one! Huntington's Lake Structure Maps currently offers 8 maps - with another near completion - all of which are popular lakes in our region. Feel free to check out their site at: http://www.hlsmaps.com. While you're there, use the 'contact us' page to request any lake that you may want to see mapped in the future. 


View Part 2 HERE