The Angler’s Atlas
It’s a bold claim: free maps of more than 90,000 Canadian waterbodies. But one
Angling info: A sample page from The Angler's Atlas of Alberta's Pigeon Lake
that’s sure to interest avid anglers. Having operated as a regional Web site for years covering B.C. and Alberta, The Angler’s Atlas has recently expanded its reach across the country. Now anglers from coast to coast to coast can download National Topographic System topo maps of tens of thousands of Canadian lakes and rivers, as well as contribute their own content, such as photos, comments and map markers. In theory, each waterbody in the country could have its own angling home page, complete with maps denoting hot spots, boat launches and warnings. Of course, that’s where you come in. While you can search lakes on Angler’s Atlas for free either by name of geographical location, to download and upload content you must be a member. But once anglers see the kind of data that already exists for B.C. and Alberta, they’ll undoubtedly see the possibilities for easily exchanging angling info throughout the rest of the county. In fact, earlier this year, the Web site won the Technology in Tourism Award from Tourism B.C., for its map marker technology, the tool that lets users add map content to the site. The tool can also be downloaded for use in GPS units or on Google Earth. Says Angler’s Atlas publisher Sean Simmons of this recent expansion:
“This is our first step onto the national fishing stage, but we have a long way to go. There are over a million lakes in this country and we’re just starting to touch the surface.”
Surf over and check it out. Chances are there’s a map for that lake you’ve been dying to try out. And you just might be able to help share the angling wealth, too, in this interesting and potentially useful endeavour.
