View Full Version : Lake Map for Cisco Chain of Lakes (Watersmeet, MI)
Bobfest
02-08-2002, 08:37 AM
Does anyone know where I can get a good depth contour map for the Cisco chain?
Tried Fishing Hot Spots web site but if they have one, I can't find it.
Any info greatly appreciated.
JimRK
02-08-2002, 08:59 AM
Clarkson Map Company
1225 Delanglade
Kaukauna, Wi. 54130
920-766-3000
Years ago, FHS made a book for the Watersmeet/Cisco Chain area (it was a brown cover). They never released any individual maps to the best of my knowledge (I've researched this quite a bit :-)). The book is virtually impossible to find. The last decent quantities went up in smoke when Northern Highlands bait shop in Boulder Junction burned down years ago. There was a bait shop, "Whities", very close to Big Lake. Whitie had a number of these books as well, but the shop closed down several years ago. I've had luck finding copies of the book by putting out posts on various fishing web sites. I've spoken with FHS a number of times regarding the Cisco Chain, but they have little to no interest in publishing maps for this body of water, I would imagine this is due to low perceived sales. My feeling is that the book was pulled from print because FHS can make more money selling individual maps - I don't disagree with this in terms of a business decision. It's a shame though that a great deal of lake information is essentially gone with the elimination of this book (and many other FHS books as well). FHS does produce a "Musky" book and there are portions of the Cisco Chain in this book, but the slant is towards musky fishing locations. I guess in some twisted and selfish way I'm not too upset that these maps are no longer available from FHS :-). If I can help you at all with fishing the Cisco Chain don't hesitate to contact me, it's one of my favorite bodies of water. Keep your eyes open for the book, you can find them at garage sales and the internet is a great searching tool. I'm going to check out the maps from the other post, I'm very interested.
Best Regards,
FJH
Russ Warye
02-08-2002, 09:45 AM
A couple of further comments to FJH's thoughts. I wrote the Cisco Chain - Land O' Lakes book for Fishing Hot Spots. Yes, the last group of them were lost in the fire in Boulder Junction at Northern Highland Spots. Maps for the Michigan side can be obtained from the Michigan United Conservation Clubs in Lansing, MI (as they are the vendors for Michigan). However, we mapped hydrographs several lakes of the Chain that were never previously mapped including Morley (Big and Little), Fish Hawk, Lindsley, Poor, East Bay (Crooked), West Bay and Indian. These maps are only available through the original book. The Wisconsin side has competent state maps for Big and Mamie, but never mapped West Bay. Keep looking for them in sales as we discontinued these "area books" in 1994. Yes, the issue is sales! But we are still looking at the possibilities!
Russ Warye
Senior Research Editor
Fishing Hot Spots
Bobfest
02-09-2002, 09:11 AM
Thanks for the info.
FJH1 I would love to pick your brain about fishing the Cisco chain. Can you please foward your email address?
eyeman
02-10-2002, 07:33 PM
Please email me as well? I fished the Chain as a boy mostly on Thousand Island and plan to go back this year for the first time since 82'.
My memories are of descent eyes and smallies, nice perch and lots of small pike and an occasional splake.
Hope it is still unknown by most. (eyeman_1@yahoo.com)
Thanks.
You can e-mail me at jhawley@ochsnerusa.com
Best Regards,
FJH