Geographic Information System

i was wondering if anyone knew of any GIS services that were free which would allow me to overlay data to use for fishing maps?

DNR Data Deli has a ton of stuff. There is other data available from the MN Geospatial Commons. Of course ESRI has basemaps that are handy.

Hey Chris, that’s a trick question!

Yes, there are GIS services that are free. Q-GIS is probably the most widely utilized and recognized, but you can also download a version of the industry standard (ArcGIS) for personal, non-commercial purposes only, for $100. If you really get serious about it, that’s what I’d recommend. Until then, trial versions of ArcGIS or Q would be what I recommend.

That said, much of the data you’re looking for is not geographically registered. Especially the DNR Lakemaps from MN. That said, there are some bathymetry data available – https://gisdata.mn.gov/dataset/water-lake-bathymetry, and a host of other data which you’re probably thinking of as well. For a list of that, check out – http://www.mngeo.state.mn.us/chouse/water_lakes.html.

The Data Deli has been put into retirement, so the statewide plan for MN is Geospatial Commons. That’s where I’d look to find additional datasets.

That said, Google Earth and its multi-year layers of imagery are important sources of information, but it’s just not as easily transferrable.

Hopefully that’s a good start!

Joel