Fishing Chart of Lake Saint Clair

Fishing map of Lake Saint Clair, just north of downtown Detroit.

Lake Saint Clair is part of the Great Lakes water system, connecting Lake Huron to Lake Erie. The lake bisects Canada and the United States, with Michigan territory shaded in yellow and Ontario colored in orange. Cooperation between the countries has led to the joint maintenance of a deep-water shipping canal, seen in white. The real focus of the map is not, however, on political organization or international commerce, but on fish. Twenty-four separate species, including trout, musky, bass, and catfish are accurately illustrated, with average and record catch sizes provided to titillate the possible angler.

The map provides a myriad of features, including a decorative cartouche, compass rose, local business advertisements, illustrations of lighthouses, ships, and waterfowl, depth soundings, historical details and biology lessons! A true display of broad interests expressed via cartographic ingenuity that borders on chaos. Unfortunately, the stereotypical depiction of the native population reflects attitudes that were largely customary at the time.