While clear water might seem a prerequisite for underwater viewing, many reservoirs and rivers often called “stained” offer potential, too. In rivers, current often washes particles through the upper or mid-sections of the water column. Water near the bottom is much clearer, quite suitable for viewing. Similarly, plankton blooms may cloud surface waters of lakes and reservoirs, while deeper water is clearer. Cameras often prove useful in such waterways, as well as in obviously clear systems.

Underwater cameras also have been great tools to introduce kids and novice anglers to the world of the fishes, which inevitably proves fascinating. Even experienced anglers often find themselves spending more time gazing at the screen than making casts to targets below. Until recently, underwater viewing pretty much precluded angling, so it worked well to have one angler fish while a partner scanned the scene below, pointing out all the slabs the angler running the boat had fished right through. Since staring at a screen for prolonged periods can cause mild seasickness in some people, trading off after a half hour or so works well.

Nature Vision, a pioneer in the industry, has broken through this barrier with the MAV (Motorized Aqua-Vu), a camera secured to the hull and featuring a foot-operated motor that deploys the lens, raising or lowering it to follow bottom contours and scan structure for fish. A large LCD screen mounted at the bow or console displays what lies below, while the angler is free to watch the camera as well as sonar, while casting.

Several manufacturers offer underwater cameras in a variety of configurations suitable for either open-water or ice fishing. Most offer black & white images. While anglers accustomed to color TVs may seek color versions, present technology and requirements for viewing in sunlight mean that black-white units typically provide better detail, particularly in low-light conditions. Larger monitors have advantages for viewing, especially when shaded with a sunscreen.

Some models offer readouts of water temperature, depth, and give the direction the camera is pointing. Monitor size and quality vary, along with cable lengths and storage systems. For most freshwater viewing, a 50-foot cable is sufficient. Many models come with longer cables, since these units often are used by biologists and law enforcement personnel. Some units feature infrared or colored LED lights to provide better viewing in dim light or at night. Rechargeable battery packs and chargers are typically included, although you can run cameras off your boat’s 12-volt system as well. Video recorder jacks allow you to plug in and record what you see, then replay on a TV.