Florida Now Covered by LakeMaster High-Def Charts

LITTLE FALLS, Minn. (Mar. 2012) – Long considered the premier brand of electronic fishing charts in the Upper Midwest, LakeMaster® continues to expand its coverage to additional states in 2012.  States include Indiana, Ohio, Alabama, Georgia and Florida. In addition to an expansive number of lakes and waterways that will be covered in these states, charts will also include inshore ocean mapping for coastal regions.

LakeMaster charts provide unparalleled detail with contour lines at one-foot increments for many lakes. LakeMaster uses proprietary on-the-water survey techniques to acquire high-definition digital marine bathymetry. An internally developed data processing technology is then used to create the high-definition lake charts that have given LakeMaster an unrivaled reputation.

“We continue to be extremely well received when we expand our products into new states,” said Dale Logue, brand manager, LakeMaster. “Anglers often inform us our products are the highest definition and most detailed of any electronic charts they've used. A big reason our charts have such good fishing information is our surveyors and GIS engineers are anglers themselves.”

In 2011, the company released products that covered an expansive number of lakes and waterways in Iowa, Nebraska, Kansas, Oklahoma, Missouri and Texas.  LakeMaster is already an established and highly popular brand in Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan, South Dakota, North Dakota and Illinois.

Background

In 1992, Mike Wood founded WayPoint Technologies as a Geographic Information Systems (GIS) consulting and application development firm. Wood, an avid fisherman, eventually identified an opportunity to combine highly accurate GIS data for inland lakes and waterways with GPS and sonar technologies to create accurate lake charts that benefitted anglers. Thus in 1999, the Little Falls, Minnesota-based company released its first PC-based program, now marketed as LakeMaster Contour Pro. By 2001, LakeMaster launched its brand of digital electronic inland U.S lake charts.

In July of 2011, Johnson Outdoors Marine Electronics, Inc. announced the acquisition of WayPoint Technologies whose assets included Pro Map Technologies and LakeMaster's proprietary surveying techniques.

In announcing the acquisition, Kelly T. Grindle, senior group vice president – Marine Electronics & Watercraft for Johnson Outdoors said, “We know that whether you're fishing for fun or in professional competition, it's all about catching fish. That's why we're focused on innovation that gives anglers a real edge out on the water.  LakeMaster is the perfect complement to our marine electronics portfolio, which is known for innovation like Humminbird® Side Imaging® Sonar technology and Minn Kota® i-Pilot™ for wireless hands-free steering and boat positioning.”

Next Steps

LakeMaster continues to operate out of its facilities in Little Falls, Minnesota and Mike Wood serves as business development director. Future plans call for continued expansion of the high-definition electronic fishing charts into additional states, eventually covering the entire continental United States.

“Because of the attention to detail and accurate mapping techniques, we know anglers all over the country will be anxious to use our charts as a tool to help them catch more fish,” said Logue. “And helping anglers catch fish is what we are all about.”

For more information visit www.lakemap.com, or contact bigfish@lakemap.com, or call (320) 632-6300.

Johnson Outdoors Marine Electronics, Inc. consists of the LakeMaster, Humminbird, Geonav, Minn Kota and Cannon brands. LakeMaster® is the premier brand of high-definition electronic fishing charts. Humminbird® is a leading innovator and manufacturer of fishfinders, fishfinder/GPS combo units, ice flashers and digital depth gauges. Geonav® develops and manufactures state-of-the-art integrated navigation systems and autopilots for blue-water fishing and cruising yachts. Minn Kota® is the world's leading manufacturer of electric trolling motors, as well as offers a complete line of shallow water anchors, battery chargers and marine accessories. Cannon® is the leader in controlled-depth fishing and includes a full line of downrigger products and accessories.