Wrong depth on DEC lake map

[yuranB]

So i fished on a small 100 acre lake yesterday and found a hole that was 40 feet deep right next to the shore. That spot is suppose to be 5 feet deep according to DEC map.  Dec web site says the lakes maximum depth is only 25 feet. I found that very weird. Can anyone explain this? Did that happen to anyone else? The best part is that hole had a lot of fish

[Eaglecrg]

The DEC maps are not very accurate.  I note inconsistencies all the time.  I even see some maps with some 10' contour intervals and 20' intervals on the same map.  They are good to give one a general idea regarding where to go though.  Where did you say the 40 ft hole was?   

[BudMan]

I'm guessing it takes a lot of time to contour a lake bottom. We have a lot of lakes in new york. The smaller lakes probably don't get the same amount of attention the larger lakes do. Even the GPS navionics type maps don't have every detail accounted for. They are good to give you a general idea of where depths are.

[rgfixit]

They're free and give a pretty good general lay of a lake bottom. They're not navigational maps. Take a copy with you next time...mark it up

Rg

[bigfish1212]

Loon lake in Chesterton has a similar feature. And there is fish in that hole two

[yuranB]

Thanks for the replies guys. I guess i just found my first honey hole

[nessman]

According to the DEC's website:

http://www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/9920.html

"Maps are to be used as a fishing aid only and are not intended for navigation."

[yuranB]

I found the maps to be pretty accurate most of the time, but never seen such a big difference from 5 feet to 40.

[FISHN NIK]

FYI they,re charts not maps


                 FN

[Reel_Force]

Just remember too... some are old - very old. Some list species that have disappeared from that body of water, while other don't list new species introduced to that body of water.

[icecaptain14]

try out navionics web app system seems to work really good when I use it then go out to see some small lakes they don't have on there for depths but most of them they do

[merkleyb]

I'd keep that 40' hole a secret....As long as its not a protruding rock or some sort of a hazard, I wouldn't tell anyone...

[bassaddict380]

try out navionics web app system seems to work really good when I use it then go out to see some small lakes they don't have on there for depths but most of them they do

I second that the navionics app is amazing so good that I paid for all the upgrades I mark out way points and go to exact spots when I get to a new body of water !

[eyesfishing]

FYI they,re charts not maps


                 FN

Why charts not maps?
Strange..DEC calls them contour maps. I thought by definition a navigational chart shows navigational conditions and other meteorological and hydrographic conditions. The DEC maps show only contours, and even those they explicitly state are not for navigational purposes.

[JHNMCGGH]

Can't believe the question is about a specific spot on an unknown 100 acrelake(pond) hope you weren't really expecting an answer to the question. You'll have to figure it out yourself or make rom on that 100 acre pond for crowd that is sure to move in to your productive hot spot/pond.

[fishermantim]

Is it a spring fed pond?

[yuranB]

Is it a spring fed pond?

Yes it is

[EatenByLimestone]

I've seen springs dig out holes.