Lake depth chart
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Rating depth structure for rainbow trout.
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166-acre lake in Bulkley-Nechako Regional District, British Columbia. The lake tops out around 39 ft. Contours on this water are modeled from its actual shoreline and max depth. Good for finding likely water, never for navigation. Every species below gets its seasonal read from the same numbers driving the chart.
The drawn water covers 166 acres wrapped in 2.5 miles of bank. Nearly circular (index 1.4), so the story is the bottom, not the bank. About 57% of the surface sits shallower than 15 ft on the modeled chart — that's the weed-and-bait zone. Figure 0.9 mi of water from one end to the other, 0.5 mi at the beam. It sits in Bulkley-Nechako Regional District. Its nearest charted neighbour, Zippermouth Lake, is 4 mi to the southeast.
Spring brook trout on Barton Lake hold shallow, usually 2 to 15 ft. By summer they slide out to 10 to 30 ft, and by winter most fish are in 3 to 20 ft. The chart's best answer is Break off the point — drop-off, 18 ft, prime for summer. Prime time lands in early morning and the evening. The summer box starts with a small spoon fished deep or a trolled lake-clear wobbler + worm.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Start at | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 2 to 15 ft | dawn & dusk | Main-lake point (10 ft) | Small inline spinner (gold), Tiny spoon |
| Summer | 10 to 30 ft | dawn & dusk | Break off the point (18 ft) | Small spoon fished deep, Trolled lake-clear wobbler + worm |
| Fall | 2 to 15 ft | midday & dawn | Main-lake point (10 ft) | Small spoon (orange), Spinner |
| Winter | 3 to 20 ft | dawn | Break off the point (18 ft) | Small jigging spoon, Tungsten jig + plastic |
Early season rainbow trout use the shallows, holding in 5 to 20 ft. Expect a summer slide to 8 to 30 ft, then a winter hold in 8 to 39 ft. Put Break off the point first on the milk run — a drop-off near 18 ft that grades prime for winter. In summer the feeding windows fall in early morning and the evening. Tie on a dodger + spoon (deep troll) or a flutter spoon and you're in the game.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Start at | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 5 to 20 ft | dawn & dusk | Main-lake point (10 ft) | Inline spinner (silver), Small spoon |
| Summer | 8 to 30 ft | dawn & dusk | Break off the point (18 ft) | Dodger + spoon (deep troll), Flutter spoon |
| Fall | 10 to 35 ft | dawn & dusk | Main-lake point (10 ft) | Casting spoon, Jerkbait over shoals |
| Winter | 8 to 39 ft | dawn | Break off the point (18 ft) | Jigging spoon, Tube jig (white) |
The spring pattern is a shallow one: lake whitefish in 12 to 39 ft. The depth story barely changes: 12 to 39 ft through summer, 12 to 39 ft in winter. Top water on the chart: Deep basin, a deep basin in the 33 ft range, prime in summer. Time it for early morning. Summer baits: a blade bait vertical or a small jigging spoon gets it done.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Start at | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 12 to 39 ft | midday & dawn | Break off the point (18 ft) | Small jig + waxworm, Blade bait (small) |
| Summer | 12 to 39 ft | dawn | Deep basin (33 ft) | Blade bait vertical, Small jigging spoon |
| Fall | 8 to 30 ft | dusk | Break off the point (18 ft) | Small spoon (gold), Jig + plastic larva |
| Winter | 12 to 39 ft | midday & dawn | Deep basin (33 ft) | Jigging spoon + bead chain, Tungsten jig + waxie |
The chart marks 6 structure features on Barton Lake; the deepest is Deep basin at about 33 ft.
Access data: British Columbia Recreation Sites and Trails - Recreation Sites Subset. Confirm conditions and fees locally before you launch.
Season dates, license requirements, and size and bag limits for British Columbia waters are set by the BC freshwater fishing synopsis — and special regulations can apply to Barton Lake specifically, so confirm the current rules before you fish.
Check the official British Columbia fishing regulations →
Barton Lake is about 39 ft (12 m) deep at its deepest point. The contours here are modeled from the water's real shape and maximum depth, so treat them as a rough guide.
Anglers target brook trout, rainbow trout, lake whitefish on Barton Lake.
Deep basin is the top-rated area: a deep basin in about 33 ft of water that rates prime for lake whitefish in summer. Open the map above to see every rated spot for each species and season.
For brook trout, the summer bite is best in early morning and the evening. Each species page section below lists the seasonal windows, and the map shows a live NOW badge when you're inside one.
Fishing on Barton Lake is regulated by the BC freshwater fishing synopsis. Check the official British Columbia regulations for current license requirements, season dates, and size and bag limits — special regulations can apply to this specific water.
Zippermouth Lake 4 mi · Meadow Lake 7 mi · Naltesby Lake 11 mi · Tagai Lake 11 mi · Sheein Lake 13 mi · Pelican Lake 14 mi · Little Bobtail Lake 15 mi · Cleswuncut Lake 16 mi · Punchaw Lake 17 mi · Cotsworth Lake 17 mi · Erickson Lake 19 mi · Eulatazella Lake 19 mi
See how Barton Lake stacks up: best rainbow trout lakes in British Columbia · best brook trout lakes in British Columbia · best lake whitefish lakes in British Columbia
More water nearby: Bulkley-Nechako Regional District fishing maps (324 charts). Browse all British Columbia fishing maps or see every water on DepthScout. 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.