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300-acre lake in Kenora District, Ontario. The lake tops out around 105 ft. The depth data here comes from a transect sounding survey by the Ontario MNRF. Here's the year, species by species, as the scoring engine sees it.
Balmain Lake maps at 301 acres behind 4.5 miles of shoreline, broken up by an island. A middling shoreline index (1.9) gives it some bays to work without being a maze. Littoral water — the productive band under ~15 ft — makes up 10% of this chart. Figure 1.9 mi of water from one end to the other, 0.4 mi at the beam. It sits in Kenora District. Lift Lake sits 1 mi southwest — the closest neighbouring chart.
Early season lake trout use the shallows, holding in 10 to 40 ft. Expect a summer slide to 32 to 105 ft, then a winter hold in 20 to 80 ft. Put Deep basin first on the milk run — a deep basin near 105 ft that grades prime for summer. In summer the feeding windows fall in early morning. Tie on a white tube jig (deep) or a magnum spoon on downrigger and you're in the game.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Start at | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 10 to 40 ft | dawn & dusk | Secondary point (18 ft) | Casting spoon over shoals, Jerkbait (shallow) |
| Summer | 32 to 105 ft | dawn | Deep basin (105 ft) | White tube jig (deep), Magnum spoon on downrigger |
| Fall | 10 to 50 ft | dusk & dawn | Secondary point (18 ft) | Heavy casting spoon, Jigging rap over reefs |
| Winter | 20 to 80 ft | dawn | Break off the point (31 ft) | White tube jig, Airplane jig |
Spring puts yellow perch in skinny water — 3 to 12 ft is the zone. Warm water sends them out to 10 to 30 ft; cold water stacks them in 15 to 35 ft. Break off the point is the standout, a drop-off at roughly 31 ft, rated prime for fall yellow perch. Plan around early morning in the warm months. A drop-shot micro plastics or a small spoon tipped with worm covers the summer program.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Start at | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 3 to 12 ft | midday & dawn | Back-bay flat (10 ft) | Small jig + curly tail, Perch-pattern micro crank |
| Summer | 10 to 30 ft | dawn | Break off the point (31 ft) | Drop-shot micro plastics, Small spoon tipped with worm |
| Fall | 12 to 35 ft | midday | Break off the point (31 ft) | Jigging spoon (small), Perch rig / spreader |
| Winter | 15 to 35 ft | midday & dawn | Break off the point (31 ft) | Tungsten jig + spikes, Rattle spoon (small) |
Early season burbot use the shallows, holding in 25 to 70 ft. Expect a summer slide to 32 to 105 ft, then a winter hold in 15 to 60 ft. Put Deep basin first on the milk run — a deep basin near 105 ft that grades prime for summer. In summer the feeding windows fall in after dark and midday. Tie on a heavy jig + cut bait and you're in the game.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Start at | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 25 to 70 ft | night & dusk | Break off the point (31 ft) | Glow jigging spoon + cut bait, Rattle bait (dark) |
| Summer | 32 to 105 ft | night & midday | Deep basin (105 ft) | Heavy jig + cut bait |
| Fall | 30 to 80 ft | night & dusk | Break off the point (31 ft) | Glow spoon + minnow head, Blade bait (slow) |
| Winter | 15 to 60 ft | night & dusk | Break off the point (31 ft) | Glow tungsten + cut bait, Rattle spoon + minnow head |
The chart marks 6 structure features on Balmain Lake; the deepest is Deep basin at about 105 ft.
Season dates, license requirements, and size and bag limits for Ontario waters are set by the Ontario fishing regulations (FMZ summary) — and special regulations can apply to Balmain Lake specifically, so confirm the current rules before you fish.
Check the official Ontario fishing regulations →
Balmain Lake is about 105 ft (32 m) deep at its deepest point. The depth data here comes from a transect sounding survey by the Ontario MNRF.
Anglers target lake trout, yellow perch, burbot on Balmain Lake.
Deep basin is the top-rated area: a deep basin in about 105 ft of water that rates prime for lake trout in summer. Every other rated spot, per species and season, is on the map above.
For lake trout, the summer bite is best in early morning. Each species page section below lists the seasonal windows, and the map shows a live NOW badge when you're inside one.
Fishing on Balmain Lake is regulated by the Ontario fishing regulations (FMZ summary). Check the official Ontario regulations for current license requirements, season dates, and size and bag limits — special regulations can apply to this specific water.
Lift Lake 1 mi · Augite Lake 1 mi · Little Gordon Lake 2 mi · Anteater Lake 2 mi · Gordon Lake 2 mi · George Lake 2 mi · Medicine Lake 2 mi · VF41-11, L. 3 mi · Tay L. (VF52-08, L.) 3 mi · Horseshoe L. 4 mi · Peterson Lake 4 mi · Lacourse Lake 4 mi
See how Balmain Lake stacks up: best yellow perch lakes in Ontario · best lake trout lakes in Ontario · best burbot lakes in Ontario
More water nearby: Kenora District fishing maps (1173 charts). Browse all Ontario fishing maps or see every water on DepthScout. Bathymetry credit: state fisheries survey programs. How we build these maps. Fish here with a sonar unit that logs? Send us your depth data and we'll improve this chart, credited to you. For fishing guidance only, never navigation.