I learned the hard way that guessing where fish are hiding wastes a lot of time. On a week-long camping trip at Jordan Lake three years ago, I spent two full mornings casting blind into water that looked perfect but held nothing. A fish finder would have saved me hours and pointed me to where the bass were actually stacked up near submerged timber.
What matters in a fish finder for camping is portability, battery life, and whether it actually shows you fish and structure clearly. You need something that packs small, sets up fast, and works from shore, kayak, or a small boat. GPS is nice but not essential. What is essential is a screen you can read in sunlight and sonar that penetrates deep enough for the lakes you fish.
1. Striker 4
The Striker 4 is what I'd grab for a solid, no-nonsense fish finder that mounts on a small boat or sits in a kayak. The CHIRP sonar gives you clearer fish arcs than older finders, and the built-in GPS lets you mark productive spots so you can return to them next trip. The 3.5-inch screen is small but readable even in bright sun.
I like that it's simple. No touchscreen to fumble with when your hands are wet. The buttons work, the unit is light, and the transducer that comes with it does the job for depth and fish detection in freshwater lakes. It's not fancy, but it works every time.
Pros:
- CHIRP sonar shows fish and structure with good detail
- GPS lets you save waypoints for productive fishing spots
- Screen is bright enough for daytime use
- Compact and light, easy to mount or move
- Reliable Garmin build quality
Cons:
- Small screen can feel cramped if you're used to larger units
- No advanced features like side imaging
- Black casing shows fingerprints
2. Lucky Kayak Portable Fish Depth Finder
If you fish from a kayak or need something you can literally toss into the water, the Lucky handheld finder is lightweight and simple. You cast the sensor out, it floats, and it sends depth and fish data back to the screen. It's not as detailed as mounted units, but for quick scouting or shore fishing, it gets the job done.
The LCD is basic but readable. You'll see depth readings and fish icons. It won't replace a full sonar setup, but for camping trips where you're moving around a lot or fishing different spots each day, this thing is hard to beat for portability. Runs on batteries, so keep spares.
Pros:
- Compact and easy to carry anywhere
- Castable sensor works from shore, kayak, or boat
- Simple LCD display shows depth and fish location
- Lightweight, won't weigh down your gear
- Good for scouting new water quickly
Cons:
- Limited detail compared to fixed-mount finders
- Small screen can be hard to read in some light
- Not ideal for deep water or complex structure
3. Deeper Start Fish Finder
The Deeper Start connects to your phone via an app, which means no extra screen to carry. You cast it out like a bobber, and it transmits sonar data to your smartphone. The app shows depth, fish, and bottom contours in real time. For shore fishing or kayak trips where you're already carrying your phone, this setup makes sense.
I've used similar castable units and they work well when you fish spots with no obstructions. The app is intuitive, and you can save maps of the bottom for future reference. Battery lasts a few hours, which is enough for a morning session. Just don't drop your phone in the water while watching the screen.
Pros:
- No separate screen, uses your phone
- Castable design works from shore or kayak
- App is easy to use with clear visuals
- Portable and lightweight
- Saves maps for later trips
Cons:
- Requires smartphone, which adds risk near water
- Battery life is limited on longer trips
- Not as detailed as dedicated fish finders
4. Venterior Portable Rechargeable Fish Finder
The Venterior has a color display that shows fish size, water temp, and bottom contour. It's wireless, rechargeable, and fits in a small bag. The color screen is easier on the eyes than black-and-white displays, especially when you're staring at it for a while trying to figure out where fish are holding.
I appreciate that it shows fish size, which helps you decide if what you're seeing is worth targeting. The temperature reading is useful too, especially for species like trout that are sensitive to water temp. It's compact enough for backpack trips but substantial enough to feel like a real tool.
Pros:
- Color display is clear and easy to read
- Shows fish size, depth, and temperature
- Rechargeable battery, no need for disposables
- Wireless sonar sensor is convenient
- Compact and portable
Cons:
- Battery may need recharging on multi-day trips
- Screen visibility can struggle in direct sunlight
- Not ideal for saltwater use
5. Reelsonar Portable Fish Finder
Reelsonar works with your phone like the Deeper, but it has a longer battery life (10+ hours) and can read depths to 135 feet. That's deeper than most lake fishing requires, but it's good to have the range if you fish varied water. The app works on both iOS and Android, so no compatibility issues.
This one is tiny. You can clip it to your line or just toss it out. The app shows real-time sonar data, and the wireless range is solid. For campers who fish a lot of different lakes and don't want to haul a dedicated fish finder, this is a smart pick.
Pros:
- Long battery life for extended trips
- Works with both iOS and Android
- Compact and extremely portable
- Depth range of 135 feet covers most lakes
- Real-time wireless data to your phone
Cons:
- Only available in one color
- Small size makes it easy to lose
- Requires a smartphone to function
6. Zxbvsu Underwater Fishing Camera
This isn't a fish finder in the traditional sense. It's an underwater camera with a 100-foot cable and infrared night vision. You drop it down and watch fish in real time on the 5-inch LCD. For ice fishing or checking out underwater structure, it's unbeatable. You see exactly what's down there.
I've used underwater cameras for scouting structure and they're addictive. You can watch bass cruise by, see how trout react to your bait, and map out submerged logs or rocks. The infrared works in murky water where sonar struggles. It's heavier than a sonar unit and takes more setup, but the visuals are worth it.
Pros:
- Infrared night vision works in low light and murky water
- 100-foot cable lets you explore deep water
- 5-inch screen shows clear underwater video
- HD lens provides sharp images
- Great for ice fishing and structure scouting
Cons:
- Heavier and bulkier than sonar units
- Takes longer to set up
7. Portable Fish Finder
This wireless fish finder has a large HD display and reads depths to 147 feet. It's castable, rechargeable, and shows fish location, temperature, and depth all on one screen. The display is bigger than most portable units, which makes it easier to see what's happening below.
For boat fishing or kayak trips where you want a dedicated screen that's bigger than your phone, this unit works well. It's light enough to carry but the screen gives you real information without squinting. Battery life is solid, and it recharges via USB. While you're at it, take a look at our inflatable kayak. While you're at it, take a look at our waterproof phone case.
Pros:
- Large HD display is easy to read
- Wireless and castable for flexibility
- 147-foot depth range covers deep lakes
- Rechargeable battery is convenient
- Shows fish, temp, and depth together
Cons:
- Less effective in very murky water
- Wireless range has limits in some environments
- Screen is smaller than high-end boat units
How to Pick the Right One
- Garmin Striker 4 if you want a reliable fixed-mount unit with GPS for marking spots
- Lucky Kayak Finder if you fish from shore or kayak and need something ultra-portable
- Deeper Start or Reelsonar if you prefer using your phone and want minimal extra gear
- Venterior if you want a color screen and care about water temperature readings
- Zxbvsu Camera if you fish through ice or want to see underwater structure visually
- Portable Fish Finder with Large Display if you need a bigger screen for boat use
Bottom Line
A good fish finder saves time and puts you on fish faster. For lake camping trips, portability and battery life matter as much as sonar quality. For related gear, check out our cooler for your catch.
