How to Use Downloads

Information that enhances angling experiences

Swan Valley Sport Fishing Enhancement (SVSFE) recognizes the value in providing the angling public with GIS (geographic information system) data to enhance their angling experiences. The downloadable files provide anglers with vital information to help plan and strategize their fishing trips.One of SVSFE’s objectives is to provide lake depth and access data in multiple different formats for the lakes and rivers/streams in the Parkland area. There are popular technologies for users to display such data; on a personal computer, on a Garmin GPS, or on a mobile smartphone. Data is provided in four different formats; as a PDF (Portable Document Format), and JPEG (a compressed image format), and GPX (GPX Exchange), and a KMZ (Keyhole Markup Language). Each of these file types provide different avenues for users to view and utilize depth and access data of a specific lake.

Image Files

PDFs and JPEGS can be downloaded on to personal computers and/or smartphones. These images can be used with multiple different programs, all of which come preinstalled on computers and smartphones. By simply downloading these files onto a computer or phone, users should be able to visualize the aesthetic depth maps.

Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Files

The formats including GPX, and KMZ files are much more useful because these file types are geo-referenced. This simply means that each data point (or contour line) is linked to a specific geographic position on earth. For example, with this technology users can take data files, download them onto their smartphones or Garmin GPS, and use them to help find lakes and specific structure or depths. A GPS or offline mapping application on a smartphone is constantly updating geographic locations using satellites, therefore the software identifies locations even when out of cell service. For example, as users are boating in the summer or snowmobiling in the winter, the device(GPS or smartphone) will indicate the depth of the water at that exact location. This is a major fishing advantage.There are various programs available to display this data from free to paid subscriptions software/apps. Essentially, a KMZ file and a GPX file are the exact same thing, as they provide the same geographic information. The only difference is that KMZs are compatible with some applications while GPXs are compatible with others. Data is provided in both types to give users options so they can use their favorite applications/programs/software.

Computers

For use of data information on a personal computer, JPEGs, PDFs, KMZs and GPXs can all be supported with compatible programming. JPEGs and PDFs can be viewed in default operating programs. KMZ files are compatible with Google products such as Google Maps and Google Earth. GPX files are compatible with Garmin products such as BaseCamp, MapSource, and DNR Garmin. There is an endless list of mapping programs that anglers may prefer to use besides the ones listed above.

Garmin Handhelds

Access Uploads

Regarding access information, consider Garmin Software such as Basecamp or MapSource as the medium to transfer the data onto your GPS. By simply importing the data (“LakeName”Trail.GPX) onto either of these programs, you can to send to your device through the function “Transfer – Send to Device” on MapSource, and/or “Device – Send to Device” on Basecamp.

Garmin MapSource

Garmin BaseCamp

Contour Uploads

The best way to visualize depth data on a handheld GPS is to import a georeferenced image of the depth map to your device (.KMZ). On the SVSFE website, these files types are titled “Lake_Name”_Overlay.KMZ. To upload the georeferenced KMZ file images on handhelds, simply download the file onto a computer. From the computer, right click the .KMZ image and select “Save Place As”.  Once a Garmin handheld device is plugged into the computer, save the file in the /Garmin/CustomMaps/ directory. If preferred, the file can be saved to a microSD card, in a /Garmin/CustomMaps/ directory as well.
NOTE: Users can technically upload depth data (.GPX) to a handheld device, however because the data is not visually appealing this method is not recommended. The problem is that each contour line is represented as a track file, meaning users will only be able to visualize one isobath at a time.
After completion, contour data on a GPS will visually look like this;

Smart Phones/Devices

Smartphones are arguably the most popular user medium for displaying depth information. In order to visualize depth information on smartphones in locations without cellular service, an “Offline Map Application” will need to be chosen and downloaded. There are various programs available to display this data. Each user has their own preference. Listed are a few popular options:

Google Earth
Maps.Me
Map Plus
Canada Topo
Galileo
GaiaGPS
MotionX
GPS Tracks
GPX Viewer
Google Earth

iOS Compatible: Yes
Android Compatible:Yes
Paid/Free: Free
Supported File Types: .kmz .kml
Offline Capabilities: Online Only
Attractiveness (Poor 0 – Excellent 3):
Contour Data: 3  Access Data: 3
General Comments: Appearance of data uploads are nice but will not work offline.
See what the app looks like….IMG 1, IMG 2, IMG 3
Maps.Me

iOS Compatible: Yes
Android Compatible:Yes
Paid/Free: Free
Supported File Types: .kmz
Offline Capabilities: Online & Offline
Attractiveness (Poor 0 – Excellent 3):
Contour Data: 2  Access Data: 3
General Comments: Data uploads easily. Base maps automatically download for your area, but use little storage space. Ie. Canada Brandon – base map is 38 MB.
See what the app looks like…. IMG 1
Map Plus

iOS Compatible: Yes
Android Compatible:No
Paid/Free: Free
Supported File Types: .kmz .kml .gpx
Offline Capabilities: Online & Offline
Attractiveness (Poor 0 – Excellent 3):
Contour Data: 3  Access Data: 3
General Comments: Most user friendly for iOS. Gpx and kmz files open with different appearances. App has many editing capabilities to customize data. Base map downloads required if detailed maps are preferred when offline (base maps use significant storage space).
See what the app looks like… IMG 1, IMG 2, IMG 3
Canada Topo

iOS Compatible: Yes
Android Compatible:Yes
Paid/Free: Free
Supported File Types: .gpx
Offline Capabilities: Online & Offline
Attractiveness (Poor 0 – Excellent 3):
Contour Data: 1  Access Data: 1
General Comments: Data uploads not very attractive. Base maps downloads are required to view terrain.
See what the app looks like…. IMG 1
Galileo

iOS Compatible: Yes
Android Compatible:No
Paid/Free: Free
Supported File Types: .kml .kmz .gpx
Offline Capabilities: Online & Offline
Attractiveness (Poor 0 – Excellent 3):
Contour Data: 2  Access Data: 2
General Comments: Base maps must be downloaded, but use little data storage. Overlays do not work.
See what the app looks like…. IMG 1
GaiaGPS

iOS Compatible: Yes
Android Compatible:Yes
Paid/Free: Free (Subscription option)
Supported File Types: .kml .kmz .gpx
Offline Capabilities: Online & Offline
Attractiveness (Poor 0 – Excellent 3):
Contour Data: 3  Access Data: 3
General Comments: Free but requires subscription to download alternative basemap layers for offline use. Basemap dowloads use little data storage. Overlays (.kmz) do not work on this app.
See what the app looks like…. IMG 1
MotionX

iOS Compatible: Yes
Android Compatible:No
Paid/Free: Paid
Supported File Types: .gpx
Offline Capabilities: Online & Offline
Attractiveness (Poor 0 – Excellent 3):
Contour Data: 1  Access Data: 2
General Comments: Default data uploads not very attractive, but map has many functions and can be customized.
See what the app looks like…. IMG 1
GPS Tracks

iOS Compatible: Yes
Android Compatible: No
Paid/Free: Paid
Supported File Types: .kml .kmz .gpx
Offline Capabilities: Online & Offline
Attractiveness (Poor 0 – Excellent 3):
Contour Data: 2  Access Data: 2
General Comments: Requires to subscription to pro version to access additional offline base map downloads.
See what the app looks like…. IMG 1, IMG 2
GPX Viewer

iOS Compatible: No
Android Compatible: Yes
Paid/Free: Free (Paid Pro Version)
Supported File Types: .kml .kmz .gpx
Offline Capabilities: Online & Offline
Attractiveness (Poor 0 – Excellent 3):
Contour Data: 2  Access Data: 2
General Comments: User friendly for Androids. Need the pro version for offline mapping. Marker waypoints on contour data can be messy. Overlays do not work.
See what the app looks like…. IMG 1

iOS Favorite Free App- Map Plus

Map Plus has been chosen as a smartphone example. Map Plus is only available on iOS devices but is free, with offline capabilities and is compatible with both .KMZ and .GPX files for all trail, contour and overlay data. Illustrated in the videos is how to import lake and access data after download using the “Map Plus” app, plus how to access basemap downloads for offline use and other setting features. If you are having troubles viewing videos on your computer, right click and either “open view in new tab” or view in “picture in picture”.

Uploading kmz files

Uploading gpx files

Uploading gpx files

Settings and map layers

Android Favorite Free App- GaiaGPS

GaiaGPS is free to use on Androids with some limitations and has offline capabilities. Gaia supports both .KMZ and .GPX files for trail and contour data. Illustrated in the video is how to import this data into the application.

Disclaimer

Reminder, the information provided is trail and contour data. This information is not to be solely used as navigational or mapping purposes. The data is supplied to merely enhance angler experience. Swan Valley Sport Fishing Enhancement makes no warranties regarding the accuracy or completeness of information provided and will not be held liable for any damage or loss resulting from use of information.