TroutRoutes and onWater: Digital Mapping Tools for the Modern Angler
For anglers looking to get off the beaten path or to find good water in unfamiliar locations, these new apps can be essential. Photo courtesy TroutRoutes
When Google Earth first launched, I’d spend hours scrolling and zooming, chasing the hope of unpressured water and a shot at big, dumb fish. Long gone are the days of thumbing through topo maps, waiting for satellite images to load over dial up, and piecing together spots from old guidebooks. Today, two mobile apps, TroutRoutes and onWater, are helping anglers navigate public access, plan fishing days, and explore new water with more confidence and less guesswork.
Each platform brings something different to the table. While they overlap in a few core areas, they serve distinct needs and fishing styles. Many anglers are now using both.
TroutRoutes: Built for the Public-Water Explorer
TroutRoutes is designed for the do-it-yourself trout angler. Owned by and a part of the popular onX mapping platforms—the mapping leader trusted by hunters and outdoor professionals—it is built around a deep and expanding database of public access, easements, and classified streams. The app makes it easier to find overlooked water and make the most of a day on the road.
TroutRoutes is designed specifically for coldwater anglers and offers tons of info and functionality.
Available in 48 states, TroutRoutes maps out stream segments with color-coded classifications; shows parking, trailheads, and bridges; and lets users filter by fishing quality, access type, and proximity. Private-land parcels are clearly marked, and in many areas, public-easement boundaries are overlaid down to the property line.
The Pro version adds offline maps, elevation profiles, stream-gauge integration, and additional access layers. While it doesn’t include guide listings or booking tools, it excels as a planning platform for anglers who want to explore coldwater streams on their own terms. Offline functionality is also a standout. TroutRoutes lets you download full regions with map layers, land boundaries, and even elevation contours, making it a go-to for remote or low signal areas.
onWater: A Comprehensive Trip Companion
onWater takes a wider approach to fishing trip planning. In addition to mapping access points, the app helps anglers find nearby guides, lodging, boat ramps, and gear shops. It supports species beyond trout, including bass, pike, and even saltwater destinations.
The app is built around usability. Each access point includes flow and weather data, licensing info, and suggested use (wading, floating, boat ramp, etc.). Users can log trips, mark catches, and store notes and photos in a personal journal. The design is clean, and the onboarding is intuitive, even for anglers who don’t consider themselves tech savvy.
onWater features a great fishing-log function (left), as well as info-packed maps.
For those traveling to new water or building a multiday plan, onWater offers a streamlined way to scout options, compare logistics, and stay apprised of both water and weather conditions.
One of the strongest features in onWater is the fishing journal. It is quick and easy to log a catch. Just drop in a photo and a few details, and the app saves the exact spot along with the conditions at the time. Once you have logged a few, you can go back and sort by trip, location, weather, or season. It is a clean way to track what worked and when.
Reading Between the Lines
While onWater covers a wide range of species and access points, some of its data is pulled from a mix of public and third-party sources, which can occasionally miss the mark. One example close to home: a canal near my neighborhood, dry and empty for nearly a decade outside of major rain events, is still listed as supporting rainbow trout, largemouth bass, and bluegill, complete with fishing tips for each. Most of the platform’s data is solid, but anglers should keep an eye out and cross reference when needed.
TroutRoutes does not currently serve warmwater or saltwater anglers beyond stream gauges and reservoir levels. It offers limited information for those of us targeting bass, carp, or other non-trout species. But for trout anglers seeking the most detailed and reliable data available, it stands out. TroutRoutes uses proprietary access layers and public land parcel data, now fully supported by onX. That partnership is already adding onX’s powerful datasets and platform technology to TroutRoutes, setting the stage for what could become the most complete digital map available to fly anglers.
The level of information available makes your chances of success significantly greater. Photo courtesy onWater
Different Tools for Different Jobs
TroutRoutes is the strong choice for trout anglers who want detailed maps, public access info, and full offline functionality. It is powered by onX, which brings trusted mapping tools, land data, and outdoor navigation tech into a platform built specifically for coldwater fisheries.
onWater takes a broader approach. It covers more species and water types, including warmwater and saltwater, and includes helpful extras like weather, cell coverage from major carriers, and sourced fishing reports. The journal and trip log features make it easy to keep track of catches, trips, and conditions over time.
Both are available on iOS, Android, and web. Subscription options unlock full features and offline use. Whether you’re chasing native brookies in headwater creeks or planning a hosted trip out of state, these platforms make it easier to spend less time scouting and more time fishing.
