5 must-have fishing apps for bank anglers

(catch more from shore with apps made for bank anglers)

Author

Keith Lusher
September 17, 2025

Hey, Keith here.

Have you hesitated to try fishing apps because you think you aren't tech savvy? You might be surprised how simple these apps can actually be.

Most fishing apps focus on boat anglers, leaving shore anglers to figure out access points and parking, wondering whether they can even reach the water on foot.

Bank anglers need apps that specifically help locate accessible shoreline, parking areas, and spots you can actually walk to.

Today, I'm ranking the top five fishing apps that will help you find productive spots you can reach without a boat.

BEST LINKS

What I looked at this week

Deals of the week

  • Optics Planet is offering up to 66% off on hundreds of fishing electronics products, including top brands like Garmin, Humminbird, Vexilar, and Scotty. 

  • Berkeley marked down a pack of Powerbait the Champ Swimmer from $7.99 to $4.00.

  • Walmart has a 10-pack of lead jig heads on sale for $1.28 marked down from $3.98.

DEEP DIVE 

Why I gave in and downloaded a fishing app

If you're anything like me, you probably know there are fishing apps out there but you won't download one, either because you're intimidated by technology or you just don't feel like taking the time to learn how to use them.

I was exactly like this for years, and it cost me countless opportunities to find new fishing spots. That all changed when I finally bit the bullet and downloaded the AllTrails app.

What I discovered was an accessible canal that led to years of catching bass and bream from a spot I never would have found otherwise.

That single download taught me a valuable lesson: the time I spent avoiding technology was actually costing me more than the time it would take to learn it.

The truth is most fishing apps are designed to be user-friendly because developers want as many anglers as possible using their products.

The key is to understand that not all fishing apps serve bank anglers and boat anglers equally well.

Most are designed to be used with a boat, focusing on deep water structure rather than shoreline access and walking paths.

So, I tested dozens of fishing apps to identify the ones that actually help shore-based anglers find spots they can reach on foot.

5 essential apps for success on the bank

  • 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 anglers. It's the ultimate app for shore-based fishing because it's built specifically for wade anglers who need foot access to water.

The app provides detailed maps and reams of information about streams and rivers across the United States.

What makes it appealing to me is that even though TroutRoutes is intended for wade anglers, it provides immense value for any bank angler, with river gauges, local information, and public access points.

I like the icons for trusted outfitters and tackle shops because they help me find local knowledge when I'm fishing new areas.

The app is worth the annual subscription fee of $58.99 for real-time information on water level, clarity, and flow.

  • Fishing log

  • Weather

  • Interactive fishing spots map

  • Social community

  • Depth maps

Fishbrain's power comes from its massive community of 15 million users sharing real-time fishing reports and catch locations.

Using the interactive map and detailed fishing log, you can record your catches and see where and how other anglers are fishing from shore.

I think its real strength is being more than just a fishing log; you can access fishing forecasts, as well as rules and regulations, and tap into 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.

While you can access many great features on the free version, upgrading to Fishbrain Pro for $6.69–$12.99 per month unlocks the best features. 

Access precise locations and tackle details, detailed depth maps and waypoints, and fishing forecasts that help you plan bank fishing trips around optimal conditions.

Fishbrain is the Facebook of fishing apps.

  • 3D satellite imagery

  • Street view

  • Easy to use

  • Available on phone, tablet, and laptop

Google Earth doesn't cost a penny and remains essential for bank anglers because it provides detailed 3D satellite imagery that reveals parking areas, walking paths, and shoreline access points.

I like that the street-view feature allows you to investigate potential parking spots and assess how far you'll need to walk to reach the water.

You can click on locations and businesses to find out the hours of business. 

The images are bright and easy to navigate, and you can tilt and manipulate the map for a better view of terrain and access routes.

Its real strength activates when you upgrade to Google Earth Pro, which is now free for everyone. 

From there you can download third-party mapping for even more information, including boat ramps, fishing piers, and public access points that are crucial for shore anglers.

  • Comprehensive trail database

  • User-friendly interface

  • Rich visual information

  • Offline maps

AllTrails transforms hiking trail maps into a bank fishing goldmine by showing you walking access to remote waterways.

The app's comprehensive trail database reveals paths to secluded ponds, streams, and river access points that most anglers never discover.

What makes it particularly appealing to me is that each trail comes with a cover photo and detailed description, which allows anglers to pick out new fishing spots before ever stepping onto the trail.

You can filter trails by proximity, difficulty, and length, making it easy to find accessible fishing locations that match your walking stamina and time constraints.

I was surprised by how much I appreciate the app's important information like trail length, elevation change, and user reviews. 

The $2.99 per month (or $35.99 per year) is totally worth it.

I used the AllTrails App to find this fishing spot. It’s just outside of Fontainebleau State Park in Mandeville, LA.

  • Private land boundaries

  • Public land designations

  • Offline use capability

  • Multiple map layers

  • Waypoint functionality

OnX Maps excels at showing private land boundaries, which is crucial for bank anglers who need to know where they can legally access water.

You can toggle between satellite imagery, a topo map, and a hybrid map, all of which come in handy at different times.

I think its real strength is the built-in layers that include recreational points of interest with up-to-date weather information and public land designations.

The private land layer makes planning a trip far-from-home much easier, since you can quickly see whether the spot you want to hit is accessible.

What makes it appealing to me is that you can save areas of 5, 10, or 150 miles wide for offline use in the field, so you can see your GPS location compared to your waypoints without cell service. 

A Premium Membership for OnX Maps runs $34.99 per year, and that covers one state. 

What started out as primarily a hunting app, On X has morphed into a fishing app as well.