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9,296-acre lake in Kenora District, Ontario. The lake tops out around 30 ft. The depth data here comes from the Ontario MNRF survey of 1977, a decades-old survey (a transect sounding survey). Every species below gets its seasonal read from the same numbers driving the chart.
The drawn water covers 9,338 acres wrapped in 98.5 miles of bank, with 32 islands in the mix. An index of 7.3 puts the bank firmly in maze territory: point after pocket after cove, every one a casting target. Littoral water — the productive band under ~15 ft — makes up 87% of this chart. End to end it runs roughly 12 mi, about 4.9 mi across. Kenora District claims this one. Its nearest charted neighbour, Willis Lake, is 8 mi to the south.
In spring, lake whitefish run shallow here, mostly 9 to 30 ft. Summer keeps them at 9 to 30 ft, and they winter in 9 to 30 ft. Summer lake whitefish concentrate at Deep basin, a prime-rated deep basin around 28 ft. Fish it in early morning and you'll meet the bite. You won't need more than a blade bait vertical or a small jigging spoon most summer days.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Start at | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 9 to 30 ft | midday & dawn | Break off the point (8 ft) | Small jig + waxworm, Blade bait (small) |
| Summer | 9 to 30 ft | dawn | Deep basin (28 ft) | Blade bait vertical, Small jigging spoon |
| Fall | 8 to 30 ft | dusk | Gravel shoal (4 ft) | Small spoon (gold), Jig + plastic larva |
| Winter | 9 to 30 ft | midday & dawn | Deep basin (28 ft) | Jigging spoon + bead chain, Tungsten jig + waxie |
The spring pattern is a shallow one: walleye in 4 to 15 ft. As the season builds they drop to 9 to 30 ft, wintering in 9 to 30 ft. Top water on the chart: Gravel shoal, a gravel shoal in the 4 ft range, prime in spring. Time it for the evening and early morning. Summer baits: a crawler harness on bottom bouncer or a deep crankbait (trolled) gets it done.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Start at | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 4 to 15 ft | dusk & dawn | Gravel shoal (4 ft) | 1/8 oz jig + minnow, Hair jig |
| Summer | 9 to 30 ft | dusk & dawn | Break off the point (8 ft) | Crawler harness on bottom bouncer, Deep crankbait (trolled) |
| Fall | 9 to 30 ft | dusk & night | Break off the point (8 ft) | Jigging rap, Jig + big minnow |
| Winter | 9 to 30 ft | dusk & dawn | Deep basin (28 ft) | Jigging spoon + minnow head, Rattle bait |
The spring pattern is a shallow one: sauger in 4 to 18 ft. Midsummer fish sit out in 10 to 30 ft before dropping to 9 to 30 ft for winter. The spot to know is Deep basin, a deep basin in about 28 ft of water that rates prime for sauger in winter. Plan around early morning and the evening in the warm months. Summer baits: a bottom bouncer + crawler or a 3-way rig with stickbait gets it done.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Start at | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 4 to 18 ft | dawn & dusk | Gravel shoal (4 ft) | 3/8 oz jig + ringworm, Hair jig + minnow |
| Summer | 10 to 30 ft | dawn & dusk | Break off the point (8 ft) | Bottom bouncer + crawler, 3-way rig with stickbait |
| Fall | 9 to 30 ft | dusk & dawn | Break off the point (8 ft) | Jig + big minnow, Blade bait |
| Winter | 9 to 30 ft | dusk | Deep basin (28 ft) | Heavy jigging spoon, Jig + minnow (vertical) |
In spring, yellow perch run shallow here, mostly 3 to 12 ft. Summer pushes them deeper, 10 to 30 ft, and winter fish settle into 9 to 30 ft. Weed flat is the standout, a weed flat at roughly 3 ft, rated prime for spring yellow perch. Time it for early morning. You won't need more than a drop-shot micro plastics or a small spoon tipped with worm most summer days.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Start at | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 3 to 12 ft | midday & dawn | Weed flat (3 ft) | Small jig + curly tail, Perch-pattern micro crank |
| Summer | 10 to 30 ft | dawn | Deep basin (28 ft) | Drop-shot micro plastics, Small spoon tipped with worm |
| Fall | 9 to 30 ft | midday | Deep basin (28 ft) | Jigging spoon (small), Perch rig / spreader |
| Winter | 9 to 30 ft | midday & dawn | Deep basin (28 ft) | Tungsten jig + spikes, Rattle spoon (small) |
Early season northern pike use the shallows, holding in 2 to 8 ft. Expect a summer slide to 8 to 20 ft, then a winter hold in 5 to 15 ft. Put Weed flat first on the milk run — a weed flat near 3 ft that grades prime for spring. In summer the feeding windows fall in early morning and the evening. Tie on a bucktail or a weedless spoon over cabbage and you're in the game.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Start at | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 2 to 8 ft | midday & dawn | Weed flat (3 ft) | #5 inline spinner, Spoon (red/white) |
| Summer | 8 to 20 ft | dawn & dusk | Break off the point (8 ft) | Bucktail, Weedless spoon over cabbage |
| Fall | 6 to 18 ft | midday & dawn | Break off the point (8 ft) | Big rubber (Bull Dawg style), Husky-style jerkbait |
| Winter | 5 to 15 ft | midday | Feeding flat (8 ft) | Tip-ups, Large jigging spoon |
Structure-wise the chart holds 15 features, led in depth by Deep basin at roughly 28 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 Barton Lake specifically, so confirm the current rules before you fish.
Check the official Ontario fishing regulations →
Barton Lake is about 30 ft (9 m) deep at its deepest point. The depth data here comes from the Ontario MNRF survey of 1977, a decades-old survey (a transect sounding survey).
Anglers target lake whitefish, walleye, sauger, yellow perch, northern pike on Barton Lake.
Deep basin is the top-rated area: a deep basin in about 28 ft of water that rates prime for lake whitefish in summer. The interactive chart above rates every spot for each species and season.
For lake whitefish, 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 Barton 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.
Willis Lake 8 mi · Shining Falls Lake 11 mi · Grist Lake 16 mi · Pitangikum Lake 16 mi · Old Shoes Lake 17 mi · McInnes Lake 18 mi · Unnamed Lake 21 mi · Cleveland Lake 21 mi · Stout Lake 21 mi · Unnamed Lake 22 mi · Hornblendite Lake 25 mi · Berens Lake 26 mi
See how Barton Lake stacks up: best walleye lakes in Ontario · best sauger lakes in Ontario · best northern pike lakes in Ontario · best yellow perch 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.