In the past, a successful day of fishing often depended on local knowledge, experience, advice from other anglers and a bit of luck. Today, anglers are turning to the internet as a powerful tool to plan their outings.
Before heading to the lake, many fishermen now spend time online gathering information about the water they intend to fish. From social media to satellite imagery, surfing the internet can increase your chance of catching fish.
Social media: the new fishing report
For up-to-date fishing reports, anglers often turn to Facebook groups, forums and other online communities that share recent catches, conditions and techniques. These real-time updates offer insight into what’s biting, which baits are working and which parts of a lake are producing results.
Rather than relying solely on word of mouth at the boat launch or bait shop, modern anglers can access a wealth of crowd-sourced information before they even leave the driveway.
Google Earth and map apps: digital scouting
Satellite tools such as Google Earth (which is great for scouting shorelines and spotting weed beds) provide detailed views of shoreline contours, underwater structure, weed beds and access points. This allows anglers to pre-scout promising locations, especially on unfamiliar lakes.
By analyzing these visual cues ahead of time, fishermen can plan where to start, identify potential hot spots, and avoid unproductive water.
One of the most powerful tools on Google Earth is the “history imagery” feature. This tool allows users to look at photos of an area over past years to see how an area has changed.
Another powerful tool is the Navionics WebApp, which offers detailed depth maps of lakes and oceans. Excellent for finding drop-offs, points and underwater features.
Wildlife agencies and official sources
State wildlife and natural resources websites are valuable resources. These sites often include contour maps, fish stocking records, historical catch data and seasonal fishing forecasts.
Anglers can also find information about species present in the lake, size and possession limits, water quality conditions, and alerts about invasive species or recent chemical treatments.
The modern edge
While no amount of research can guarantee success, the combination of social media, digital maps and official resources creates a powerful toolkit for today’s anglers. By using the internet to prepare, anglers can have an informed starting point and make the most of every trip on the water, especially if you’ve never fished the waters before. By blending traditional fishing instincts with modern technology, it’s possible to fish smarter, not harder.
In an era where information is just a click away, even a quick online check before hitting the lake can make a noticeable difference. Fishing may still be part art and part luck — but now, it’s also part data.
About Hooked
“Hooked” is a comic strip based on characters taken from the book “Learn To Fish, A Step-By-Step Guide For Beginning Anglers.” It features a multicultural cast of teens who love to fish and decide to form a fishing club in Cleveland. See “Hooked” monthly right here on the Signal Cleveland website produced in partnership with Dennis James Knowles and Gail Ann Grizzell of Cleveland’s The Fishing Foundation.
Ohio does not require those under 16 to have a fishing license. Read more on Ohio fishing laws here.
About The Fishing Foundation
“Hooked” is produced by longtime Cleveland anglers Dennis Knowles and Gail Grizzell, founders of The Fishing Foundation (TFF), a non-profit organization in Northeast Ohio that takes teens fishing. Through events, mentorship programs and hands-on training, TFF provides unique opportunities for individuals from underserved communities to connect with nature and each other.
Beyond instruction, the foundation provides participants with rods, reels, bait, tackle and even a souvenir T-shirt. At each event, attendees enjoy lunch and refreshments while building skills and confidence. And as a lasting memento, each child gets to keep their rod and reel. TFF’s flagship project, “Learn to Fish: A Step-by-Step Guide for Beginning Anglers,” is a guidebook that equips beginner anglers with the knowledge they need to succeed at fishing.
Whether you’re a seasoned angler or a complete beginner, The Fishing Foundation, and the adventures of “Hooked,” can help. Spend time in Cleveland’s beautiful parks, lakes and rivers and experience the benefits of connecting with nature.
The great outdoors is waiting for you—make 2025 the year you get “hooked” on fishing!
The Fishing Foundation
