The 8 Best Fishing Apps

I’ve been using fishing apps since the first weather and navigation apps became available. Nowadays, fishing apps are just as valuable as my fishing rods and lures. On and off the water, I constantly check my weather and navigation apps. Between fishing trips I log past trips, compare data and follow other anglers to plan my next fishing trip. My fishing apps also connect me to other anglers, keep me up to date on regulations and pinpoint the best fishing locations with expert information on tackle and tactics. Dozens of options are available for weather, fishing logs, community and other information. The eight fishing apps below are the ones I use most often, and provide me with the most important information.

Our Picks for Best Fishing Apps

• Garmin Active Captain
• Google Earth
• FishWeather
• Navionics
• Fishbrain
• TroutRoutes
• Fish Rules
• Tide Alert

Overall Best Fishing App

Garmin Active Captain

• Full line of Navionics charts
• Smartphone access to waypoints and tracks
• Wirelessly update Garmin electronics
• Detailed weather and water information
• Community-sourced area information

I use fish finders from every major brand, and they each have a companion app with navigation and system information. But Garmin is the best example of the features available in a full-service fishing app. The most convenient feature is Garmin’s Navionics charts. The app syncs with the chartplotter on my kayak, so I can explore the charts and see my waypoints from my smartphone. I subscribed to the Navionics Vision+ charts for the incredibly detailed satellite images of land and the sea floor. The relief shading map layer lets me see wrecks, reefs, rocks, sandbars and other underwater structures in photo-like detail. The Active Captain is also my go-to for weather, tide and current flow information up to three days in advance. Most electronics manufacturers offer similar apps, but I like Garmin because I can share information between my boat, kayak and handheld GPS units. I also have a Garmin bike computer and a Garmin InReach personal locator, so the Active Captain fits into the apps for these products.

Best Free Fishing App

Google Earth

• 3D satellite imagery
• Street view
• Easy to use
• Available on phone, tablet and laptop

Many apps in this review have both free and paid versions, but Google Earth doesn’t cost a penny. Even though it’s one of the original mapping apps, Google Earth is still relevant for identifying and exploring new fishing areas. I spend hours scrolling across the map and zooming into likely fishing spots. The street-view feature allows me to investigate potential parking spots. I can click on locations and businesses for more information. The images are bright and easy to navigate and I can tilt and manipulate the map for a better view. Using Google Earth Pro, I download third-party mapping for even more information. For example, I purchased a list of shipwrecks from a cartographer and the files were transferred to my Google Earth account.

Best Fishing Weather App

FishWeather

• Live wind
• AI forecast
• National Weather Service forecast
• Pro meteorologist forecast with subscription
• Detailed wind buoy reports
• Intuitive navigation

If you see me in the morning sitting in my car in the company parking lot scrolling through my phone, chances are I’m looking at FishWeather. Nothing makes the work day go faster than the prospect of fishing in the future and FishWeather is my favorite tool for determining when and where I go fishing. The free version of the app has real-time weather buoy reports and graphics of predicted wind and weather. The Wind Map displays real-time wind conditions at area weather stations. I click on the weather station, and the screen shows me a bright, easy-to-read graphic of the predicted wind speed and direction. Scrolling down, I see predicted precipitation and temperature along with wave height and period. Tabs at the top allow me to jump to the National Weather Service forecast, a staff meteorologist’s predictions and tide and current data. FishWeather regularly offers a free trial of the pro version, and I can add basic water temperature charts and more detailed wind and weather info from more weather stations.

Best Fishing Map App

Navionics

• Detailed free charts with paid upgrades
• Tide and current information
• Weather forecasts
• Downloadable maps
• Save waypoints with notes

Navionics was one of the first fishing apps I downloaded, and I still use it today. The free version of the app has detailed bathymetric charts with buoys and channels. The app’s tide and weather stations offer three days of data. I can mark waypoints and make notes on locations. The app also sets routes, tracks my progress and displays my speed. With the app subscription ($49.99), I access relief shading charts, satellite imagery and sonar map overlays. Now that Navionics has paired up with Garmin, the Navionics app shares the same charts as my GPS.

Best Fishing Log App

Fishbrain

• Fishing log
• Weather
• Interactive fishing spots map
• Social community
• Depth maps

Power in numbers. Fishbrain is one of the oldest and largest fishing communities with access to 15 million users logging 14 million catches and 300,000 gear reviews. Using the interactive map and detailed fishing log, I record my catches and see where and how other anglers are fishing. The app is more than a fishing log; I can access fishing forecasts, rules and regulations and a massive fishing community. Fishbrain is the Facebook of fishing, where users post photos and fishing reports on a brag board, and everyone benefits from real-time information. I can even use the app to purchase fishing tackle. The subscription version of the app includes precise locations and tackle, detailed depth maps and waypoints and fishing forecasts. I can create my own groups and share info with my closest friends. Fishbrain is fantastic for obsessive anglers who are into fishing for the social aspect.

Best App to Find Fishing Spots

TroutRoutes

• 48 states
• 350,000 access points
• Covers 360 million acres of public land
• Offline maps
• User-rated fishing locations

TroutRoutes is founded and operated by trout fishermen. The app provides detailed maps and reams of information about streams and rivers across America. Even though TroutRoutes is intended for wade anglers, kayak anglers find value in the river gauges, local information and public access points. I like the icons for trusted outfitters and tackle shops. The app is worth the subscription fee ($58.99) for real-time information on water level, clarity and flow. When I’m traveling to a new area, I review user ratings and reports. On the water, I use the TroutRoute’s detailed maps to navigate the area.

Best App for Fishing Regulations

Fish Rules

• Up-to-date fishing regulations
• Seasons and size limits
• Trip log
• Connected with Fishbrain

I need help keeping up with ever-changing fishing rules and regulations. Making a mistake and harvesting a protected fish could result in fines and punishment. Fishing rules protect the fish, so size and bag limits benefit all anglers. The Fish Rules app is the easiest way to follow the regulations. I open the app, enter my fishing area and search for a species to learn the rules, seasons and other prohibitions. The app even provides detailed photos to help identify my catch. The free version includes updated, complete and accurate fishing regulations for a specific area and fish species. The app also serves as a fishing log by saving species and catch information. Fish Rules’ paid upgrade includes fishing hotspots with locations of reefs and other structures for 13 states.

Best Fishing Tide App

Tide Alert

• 30-day tide graphic
• Graphic display of tide and moon phase
• Compare tide charts
• Voice and smartwatch compatible
• Tide alerts

I live and breathe by the tide change, so I keep Tide Alert on my phone’s home screen. On the interactive map, I save my favorite tide stations and create custom icons. I choose the station where I am fishing and the app displays tide height and time along with sunrise, sunset and moon phase. I love the graphic display of tide level, sunrise and set and moon phase. For a look at tides a week ahead, I scroll through the graphic display. To jump ahead up to a month, I choose the calendar view. The coolest feature is comparing tide charts from multiple locations to predict the water level and current from the start of my trip to my destination. To keep a constant vigil on the tide, I can program the app to send notifications of high and low tide at my favorite locations. Best of all, the best features are available for free.

How We Tested the Best Fishing Apps

Choosing the best fishing app is like choosing a favorite pair of shoes; I look for a balance between function and fit with an appealing appearance. Since I use apps so often, I look for an app that provides the information I need. Some apps are better for bass fishing and others are made for river anglers. I fish coastal waters, so my favorite apps include tide and current information.

I have several weather apps that I compare for a broad coverage of forecasts. But I have one weather app (FishWeather) I find easiest to read with my favorite resources easy to access. I’ve replaced stand-alone apps with total-boat-control apps, like Gamin Active Captain, that combine multiple features in one platform.

I’m not afraid to drop money on a hot new lure or pay a little extra for a nicer rod or reel, and I don’t mind subscribing to my navigation app for more detailed charts, weather forecasts and area information. On the other hand, I find the free version of my weather apps and social media platforms sufficient for my needs. Best yet, I always take advantage of free trials of the premium services. Some apps, like satellite water temperature, that I pay for during the fishing season.

Smartphone apps are as much a part of my fishing as bait and tackle. I probably spend more time thumbing through screens and tapping links than I spend casting lures and reeling in fish. With the information I glean from these resources, I know when and where to go fishing.

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On the water or back at home, the best fishing apps keep me connected to fishing information and the angling community. | Feature photo: Ric Burnley