MT's tip about line counter reels got me thinking about a better way for me to locate deep water fish like Lakers and Walleye in the summer or at least to get a better sense of optimal trolling depth.  I would like to find some kind of fishing thermometer - a device that I could attach to my line and lower down to take temperature readings at various depths (a digital read out would be best.)  I don't use a depth finder and don't plan to but does anyone know of some kind of small device that would work for my purposes.  I've tried Googling fishing thermometers but haven't found anything that looks very promising.

The best fishing thermometer has a nasty set of trebles.

Not digital, but cheap and accurate enough to get the job done.
I bought it on a whim years ago, but since I'm not a dedicated fisherman, I only brought it once just to see how it worked.

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I think I've found what I'm looking for.  It is expensive so I'll give it some thought but check it out:
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This is a pretty amazing little device - it takes temperature readings every 5 feet up to 300 feet.  When you haul it up it stores and digitally reads out the incremental data.  The video on the site is very cool and compelling.

thermometers can be a handy gadget but you can also employ your noogin. Early in the year just after ice out fish will seek warmth not only to find food that might be attracted by an increase in water temps but also to stimulate egg development.

Surprisingly enough shallow mud bottom bays especially those with emergent timber in the water can hold some of the biggest female walleyes very early on. Small safety pin spinners and original rapalas cast in water as shallow as three feet can take them. Concentrate on any standing timber as the log grabs the suns rays and the water immediately around the timber will be warmer. This pattern happens usually within a few weeks after ice out......very early. I hit on it while casting for largemouth bass and was rewarded with some very big walleyes........since then I have seen it repeated by some pros........

Later on I would focus more on light penetration than actual water temps in canoe country. Clear water usually equals deeper fish. If the water is stained (think lake Conmee) then the fish may reside shallower even during the day.

But since I have never really spent much time tracking water temps  in correlation to fish location except early in the year I might be off base and in need of some furthering education......always more to learn isn't there?