A field guide to American water
Lake guides, state by state, before you drive out
Lake Locate is a growing directory of American lakes with plain-spoken guides to fishing, boating and paddling, lakeside camping and the gear you actually carry down to the dock.
Fresh off the shoreline
Latest lake guides
How to Deal with a Dead Battery on the Water: Safe Steps (2026)
How to deal with a dead battery on the water safely in : anchor up, signal for help, test voltage, jump-start the…
What to Do If Lightning Starts While Boating (2026)
Learn what to do if lightning starts while boating in : gear to check first, how to reach shelter, and why you…
How to Handle a Boat in Rough Lake Chop (October 2026)
Learn how to handle a boat in rough lake chop in : match speed to the waves, trim the bow up, take…
How to Read Weather on a Lake: 7 Simple Checks (2026)
Learn how to read weather on a lake using forecasts, radar, wind, clouds, lightning and water signs, then decide whether to launch,…
How to Check a Boat Before Leaving the Ramp in 2026
How to check a boat before leaving the ramp in : a 10-step walk-around covering safety gear, fuel, battery, bilge, trailer and…
How to Flush an Outboard Motor After Use: Safe Steps 2026
How to flush an outboard motor after use in : the freshwater, timing, drain steps and checks that block corrosion and protect…
How to Drive a Pontoon Boat for the First Time (October 2026)
Learn how to drive a pontoon boat for the first time in : pre-launch checks, the controls, low-speed steering, docking, and beginner…
How to Winterize a Boat Engine: A Safe Step-by-Step (2026)
How to winterize a boat engine step by step in : stabilize fuel, drain and antifreeze the cooling system, fog cylinders, change…
How to Handle No Wake Zones: Safe Rules for Boating (2026)
Learn how to handle no wake zones safely in : read the signs, get to idle before the marker, hold a steady…
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A note on the shoreline
The water is better for the people who leave it the way they found it.
Pack out everything you bring in, line and bait wrappers included, and keep a bag in the boat for whatever the last group left behind. Rinse hulls and waders between lakes, and give nesting birds and anglers on the bank a wide berth.