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211-acre lake in Timiskaming District, Ontario. The lake tops out around 67 ft. The depth chart comes from Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry bathymetric survey data, so the contours are survey-derived rather than computer-modeled. The depth data here comes from the Ontario MNRF survey of 1970, a decades-old survey (an MNRF lake survey). The season-by-season read for each species follows, from the map's own numbers.
On the chart, Big Chief L. draws 213 acres inside 4.2 miles of shoreline — one island included. Index 2 on the shoreline: a few honest points and pockets, nothing labyrinthine. Littoral water — the productive band under ~15 ft — makes up 73% of this chart. End to end it runs roughly 0.9 mi, about 0.8 mi across. You'll find it in Timiskaming District. For a second option, Klock Lake lies 2 mi southwest.
The spring pattern is a shallow one: brook trout in 2 to 15 ft. As the season builds they drop to 10 to 30 ft, wintering in 3 to 20 ft. Top water on the chart: Break off the point, a drop-off in the 10 ft range, prime in summer. Time it for early morning and the evening. Summer baits: a small spoon fished deep or a trolled lake-clear wobbler + worm gets it done.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Start at | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 2 to 15 ft | dawn & dusk | Main-lake point (1 ft) | Small inline spinner (gold), Tiny spoon |
| Summer | 10 to 30 ft | dawn & dusk | Break off the point (10 ft) | Small spoon fished deep, Trolled lake-clear wobbler + worm |
| Fall | 2 to 15 ft | midday & dawn | Main-lake point (1 ft) | Small spoon (orange), Spinner |
| Winter | 3 to 20 ft | dawn | Break off the point (10 ft) | Small jigging spoon, Tungsten jig + plastic |
The spring pattern is a shallow one: lake trout in 10 to 40 ft. Midsummer fish sit out in 20 to 67 ft before dropping to 17 to 67 ft for winter. The spot to know is Deep basin, a deep basin in about 55 ft of water that rates prime for lake trout in summer. Plan around early morning in the warm months. Summer baits: a white tube jig (deep) or a magnum spoon on downrigger gets it done.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Start at | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 10 to 40 ft | dawn & dusk | Break off the point (10 ft) | Casting spoon over shoals, Jerkbait (shallow) |
| Summer | 20 to 67 ft | dawn | Deep basin (55 ft) | White tube jig (deep), Magnum spoon on downrigger |
| Fall | 10 to 50 ft | dusk & dawn | Break off the point (10 ft) | Heavy casting spoon, Jigging rap over reefs |
| Winter | 17 to 67 ft | dawn | Deep basin (55 ft) | White tube jig, Airplane jig |
Come spring, look for lake whitefish tight to the bank in 15 to 45 ft. They move out to 20 to 67 ft in summer and finish the year down in 20 to 67 ft. If you only fish one area, make it Deep basin: a deep basin around 55 ft that scores prime in summer. Best bite is early morning. A blade bait vertical or a small jigging spoon is the honest summer answer here.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Start at | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 15 to 45 ft | midday & dawn | Break off the point (10 ft) | Small jig + waxworm, Blade bait (small) |
| Summer | 20 to 67 ft | dawn | Deep basin (55 ft) | Blade bait vertical, Small jigging spoon |
| Fall | 8 to 30 ft | dusk | Break off the point (10 ft) | Small spoon (gold), Jig + plastic larva |
| Winter | 20 to 67 ft | midday & dawn | Deep basin (55 ft) | Jigging spoon + bead chain, Tungsten jig + waxie |
Structure-wise the chart holds 6 features, led in depth by Deep basin at roughly 55 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 Big Chief L. specifically, so confirm the current rules before you fish.
Check the official Ontario fishing regulations →
Big Chief L. is about 67 ft (20 m) deep at its deepest point. The depth data here comes from the Ontario MNRF survey of 1970, a decades-old survey (an MNRF lake survey).
Anglers target brook trout, lake trout, lake whitefish on Big Chief L..
Deep basin is the top-rated area: a deep basin in about 55 ft of water that rates prime for lake trout in summer. The interactive chart above rates every 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 Big Chief L. 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.
Klock Lake 2 mi · Planet Lake 3 mi · Lepha Lake 5 mi · Lady Evelyn River 5 mi · Mahon Lake 6 mi · Rainbow L. 6 mi · Kerry Lake 6 mi · Mowat Lake 6 mi · Mendelssohn Lake 6 mi · Slade Lake 6 mi · Munroe Lake 7 mi · Philbrick Lake 7 mi
See how Big Chief L. stacks up: best lake trout lakes in Ontario · best brook trout lakes in Ontario · best lake whitefish lakes in Ontario
More water nearby: Timiskaming District fishing maps (515 charts). Browse all Ontario fishing maps or see every water on DepthScout. Bathymetry: published agency survey data. 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.