Predictive mapping system for anglers

Abstract

A method includes receiving, at a computing device, a search request that includes one or more search criteria for a body of water. The one or more search criteria include an identification of a fish species. One or more locations on the body of water that satisfy the one or more search criteria are identified. The one or more locations include at least one predicted location of the fish species within the body of water. The one or more locations are highlighted on a map of the body of water.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method comprising:
 receiving, at a computing device, a search request that includes one or more search criteria for a body of water, wherein the search request is to identify all locations on the body of water that satisfy the one or more search criteria;   analyzing by the computing device, in response to the search request, a data file including a plurality of cells that correspond to the entire body of water, wherein each cell corresponds to a given location on the body of water,   identifying, by the computing device, all of the locations on the body of water that satisfy the one or more search criteria; and   providing, in response to the search request, an identification of all of the locations on the body of water that satisfy the one or more search criteria.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein providing the identification comprises highlighting all locations on the body of water that satisfy the one or more search criteria on a map of the body of water. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein identifying a given location on the body of water comprises identifying at least one value in a pixel string associated with a cell that corresponds to the given location. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein the at least one value in the pixel string represents an attribute of the body of water that is relevant to the search request. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein the attribute comprises at least one of a depth associated with the cell, a type of bottom structure associated with the cell, or an amount of sunlight associated with the cell. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein attribute data for the body of water originates from one or more geographical information system (GIS) files. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein attribute data for the body of water originates from user entered data related to a previous fishing trip on the body of water. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising receiving a fishing log entry corresponding to a fishing trip on the body of water, wherein the fishing log entry comprises one or more attributes associated with a location of the fishing trip on the body of water, a number of fish caught on the fishing trip, and a type of the fish caught on the fishing trip. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 providing a three dimensional view of a bottom surface of the body of water; and   receiving a selection of a location on the bottom surface of the body of water.   
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , further comprising exporting coordinates of the location on the bottom surface of the body of water to a global positioning system (GPS) device. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the selection of the location on the bottom surface of the body of water comprises the search request. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the one or more search criteria comprise one or more attributes of the location on the bottom surface of the body of water. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein all of the identified locations on the body of water include the one or more attributes of the location on the bottom surface of the body of water. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising receiving a water level correction value, wherein the water level correction value comprises an amount by which a water level of the body of water is higher or lower than normal, and wherein the one or more identified locations are based at least in part on the water level correction value. 
     
     
         15 . A system comprising:
 a memory configured to store information regarding a body of water; and   a processor operatively coupled to the memory and configured to:
 receive a search request that includes one or more search criteria for the body of water, wherein the search request is to identify all locations on the body of water that satisfy the one or more search criteria; 
 analyze, in response to the search request, a data file including a plurality of cells that correspond to the entire body of water, wherein each cell corresponds to a given location on the body of water, 
 identify all of the locations on the body of water that satisfy the one or more search criteria; and 
 provide, in response to the search request, an identification of all of the locations on the body of water that satisfy the one or more search criteria. 
   
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 15 , wherein the processor is further configured to:
 provide a three dimensional view of a bottom surface of the body of water; and   receive a selection of a location on the bottom surface of the body of water.   
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 16 , wherein the selection of the location on the bottom surface of the body of water comprises the search request. 
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 17 , wherein the one or more search criteria comprise one or more attributes of the location on the bottom surface of the body of water, and wherein all of the identified locations on the body of water include the one or more attributes of the location on the bottom surface of the body of water. 
     
     
         19 . A non-transitory computer-readable medium having instructions stored thereon, the instructions comprising:
 instructions to receive a search request that includes one or more search criteria for the body of water, wherein the search request is to identify all locations on the body of water that satisfy the one or more search criteria;   instructions to analyze, in response to the search request, a data file including a plurality of cells that correspond to the entire body of water, wherein each cell corresponds to a given location on the body of water;   instructions to identify all of the locations on the body of water that satisfy the one or more search criteria; and
 instructions to provide, in response to the search request, an identification of all of the locations on the body of water that satisfy the one or more search criteria. 
   
     
     
         20 . The non-transitory computer-readable medium of  claim 19 , further comprising:
 instructions to provide a three dimensional view of a bottom surface of the body of water; and   instructions to receive a selection of a location on the bottom surface of the body of water, wherein the selection of the location on the bottom surface of the body of water comprises the search request.