Sonar technology divides angler community | Arkansas Democrat Gazette

Forward-facing sonar is reshaping recreational fishing and sparking a wider debate within the angler community, according to reporting from North Dakota. The technology mounts on the bow or stern of a boat and sends sound frequencies that return as real-time images, allowing anglers to pinpoint fish positions and even view lures. Garmin’s Dave Dunn said a full setup costs about $2,500 and can be connected to a trolling motor for scanning water below. Supporters argue it improves time efficiency, with Minnesota angler Terry Rehm citing limited lake time and faster targeting. Usage is rising sharply, with surveys on Minnesota lakes showing user rates as high as 63% last fall. Critics, including fishing writer Gary Korsgaden, say the tools change the sport toward numbers and can turn discussions personal online, with tournament anglers reportedly banning him from Facebook pages.