11 replies to this topic

[Martin Gamache]

I have a symbology quandry. On a map that I am currently working on we have a large quantity of lakes, most of them have fish in them and are popular with anglers. Some are resrtricted and no-fishing is allowed. My client is only interested in symbolising these no-fishing lakes. Two ideas so far, a NF icon on all these lakes or a red colored fish. I have also considred a fish with the circle and bar across, but that seems like too much.

Any thoughts on what might work in this situation. I do like the red fish but I'm afraid it will be misleading. I do not favor the NF as it is not immediately obvious what it refers to and would have readers referring back to the legend. We would prefere not symbolising the lakes themselves.

This fishing/no-fishing information is a very secondary purpose of the map and as such we do not want it to be the main visual focus, another reason why the red fish icon is a bit distracting as it quite visible and detracts from the real information content of the map.


mg

[Polaris]

Martin -

I was just faced with this same quandary a couple of weeks ago and considered the same kind of options. I went with the circle/line over a fish style symbol. The client really liked it, but I was hesitant about it for the same reasons you expressed - it seemed like too much ink - if you go this route, perhaps you could tone down the color of your symbols to put them a bit in the background...

Eric

[frax]

would coloring the lakes in a different shade, or have some hatch pattern be something?

[bchubb]

Perhaps you could work something out with an outline on the fish symbol. There would be lots of possiblities for controlling the prominemce ranging from a wide outline with no fill in the symbol, to very similar symbols with only one having an outline.

[Martin Gamache]

Two constraints that perhaps weren't clear.

We cannot and will not symbolise the lakes themselves. So the lakes will be all the same fill and stroke.

So, that leaves symbols or labels on the lakes. We plan to only symbolise to lakes where fishing is not allowed. So we only require one symbol. The question is what should that symbol be? My concern with any fish symbol (filled or not) is that because it is the only fish icon on the map it may be misleading as to where fishing is allowed.

[bchubb]

My concern with any fish symbol (filled or not) is that because it is the only fish icon on the map it may be misleading as to where fishing is allowed

Then perhaps a single barb fish hook with a red bar and cross would be clear, while less obtrusive at the same time? Perhaps even add some transparency to the symbol....

[Nick Springer]

Here are some ideas:
 no_fishing.jpg   23.2K   228 downloads

[Martin Gamache]

Those are great thanks.

[Nick Springer]

I can't take credit for the fish, that's from the NPS fishing symbol.

[BEAVER]

I spent half my life fishing as well as reading fishing books and maps. In my opinion the third icon on the top row looks the best and sends a clear message that no fishing is alowed. The one with a hook looks even better, but the symbol would have to be large enough to see that small hook on the printed map.

[frax]

if you were a fish, and were swimming navigating with that map, then it might look like no fish are allowed in the lake.

[Jason]

if you were a fish, and were swimming navigating with that map, then it might look like no fish are allowed in the lake.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I agree, the hook implies fishing.