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 Tie Down a Kayak on a Car: Safe Roof Rack Setup 2026
Learn how to tie down a kayak on a car safely in , choose the right roof rack and cam straps, balance…
How to Transport a Kayak Without a Roof Rack (2026)
How to transport a kayak without a roof rack using truck beds, trailers, temporary bars, or interior loading, plus the tie-down and…
How to Get Into a Kayak From a Dock: 7 Safe Steps 2026
Learn how to get into a kayak from a dock safely in , with step-by-step boarding for sit-on-top and sit-in boats, plus…
How to Paddle a Kayak Straight: 7 Easy Techniques (October 2026)
How to paddle a kayak straight: sit square, plant near your toes, exit at your hip, and use equal strokes plus small…
How to Turn a Kayak Quickly: 5 Paddling Moves (2026)
Learn how to turn a kayak quickly with wide sweep strokes, reverse strokes, edging and torso rotation for safer, more responsive steering…
How to Fish Safely from a Kayak: Beginner’s Guide 2026
Learn how to fish safely from a kayak in with practical guidance on gear checks, seated casting, weather awareness, fish handling, and…
How to Stay Safe Fishing Alone: A Practical Checklist 2026
Learn how to stay safe fishing alone with a practical checklist covering float plans, flotation, communication, weather checks, gear inspections, and…
How to Identify a Northern Pike vs Muskie: 4 Checks (2026)
Learn how to identify a northern pike vs muskie in with four field checks: tail shape, body pattern, jaw pore count, and…
How to Handle a Toothy Fish Safely: Angler Guide 2026
Learn how to handle a toothy fish safely when landing, unhooking, securing, weighing, and releasing a big catch without injury at the…
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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.