Trolling the Great Lakes Without a Fish Hawk: Lake Erie & Lake Ontario

Whether you're trolling Lake Superior, Lake Michigan, Lake Huron, Lake Erie, or Lake Ontario, current is part of the picture when fishing for salmon and other Great Lakes species. Water moving under the surface can differ from what you see at the boat. The Currents layer gives you a forecast view of flow direction and speed across the lake, so you can compare conditions before leaving the dock.

The layer uses NOAA model forecasts, not a sensor at your boat. NOAA describes its operational forecast systems as providing guidance for currents and water temperature in the Great Lakes and other coastal waters. See NOAA's forecast information and the data sources used by this map.

Fishing without a Fish Hawk probe

Fish Hawk systems used with downriggers show water temperature and speed at the depth of the downrigger weight. If you don't own a probe, the Currents layer is a free way to get a broad picture of modeled flow without adding equipment. It can help you see which way water is moving, compare current speed across areas, and check how the pattern changes with depth.

Use it as a starting point for a plan, not as an exact reading at your lure. The map does not measure your down-speed or show where fish are holding. Conditions around your boat can differ from a model forecast.

Fishing with a Fish Hawk

If you already have a Fish Hawk, the map can help before you launch. Compare the forecast for different locations, depths, and times, then decide what areas or depths to check first. Once you're on the water, use your probe for readings at your downrigger and adjust your plan to what you're seeing. The map provides a broader forecast picture; your probe provides measurements at your gear.

How to read the Currents layer

1. Open the map and choose Currents from the Layer menu.
2. Set the Forecast to Now or a future hour, and move the Depth control to the surface or the depth you want to review.
3. Use Animated flow to see the movement over time, or choose Static arrows for a still view. The arrows point toward the direction the water is moving.
4. Set the Background to Current speed to see the model's speed shading. Click a location to inspect its forecast current speed and direction by depth.

Currents are model estimates and can miss local effects, especially near shore, in bays and harbours, or after storms. Compare the map with on-water readings and check official marine forecasts before heading out. The map is not for navigation; see the forecast limitations.