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Rating depth structure for smallmouth bass.
Recent public catches load as you reach this section.
1,544-acre lake in Manitoba. The lake tops out around 20 ft. The depth chart comes from published agency bathymetric survey data, so the contours are survey-derived rather than computer-modeled. The season-by-season read for each species follows, from the map's own numbers.
Traced from the shoreline, Black Lake runs 1,552 acres with 31.7 miles of edge, broken up by 17 islands. That shoreline is heavily fingered (development index 5.7) — bays, points and pockets everywhere, which multiplies the fishable edge. About 95% of the surface sits shallower than 15 ft — that's the weed-and-bait zone. End to end it runs roughly 5.6 mi, about 1.1 mi across. You'll find it in Division No. 19. For a second option, Tooth Lake lies 7 mi north.
Come spring, look for walleye tight to the bank in 4 to 15 ft. Expect a summer slide to 6 to 20 ft, then a winter hold in 6 to 20 ft. Start at Deep basin. It's a deep basin holding about 20 ft of water and rates prime come winter. Prime time lands in the evening and early morning. A crawler harness on bottom bouncer or a deep crankbait (trolled) is the honest summer answer here.
Depth note: when a documented seasonal range extends below this chart, the table shows the deepest mapped working water, not a verified holding depth.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Start at | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 4 to 15 ft | dusk & dawn | Secondary point (10 ft) | 1/8 oz jig + minnow, Hair jig |
| Summer | 6 to 20 ft chart-limited; documented 15 to 35 ft | dusk & dawn | Secondary point (10 ft) | Crawler harness on bottom bouncer, Deep crankbait (trolled) |
| Fall | 6 to 20 ft chart-limited; documented 12 to 40 ft | dusk & night | Secondary point (10 ft) | Jigging rap, Jig + big minnow |
| Winter | 6 to 20 ft chart-limited; documented 20 to 40 ft | dusk & dawn | Deep basin (20 ft) | Jigging spoon + minnow head, Rattle bait |
Start shallow in spring: northern pike sit in 2 to 8 ft that time of year. Warm water sends them out to 8 to 20 ft; cold water stacks them in 5 to 15 ft. Top water on the chart: Shallow bay flat, a weed flat in the 4 ft range, prime in spring. Fish it in early morning and the evening and you'll meet the bite. Throw a bucktail or a weedless spoon over cabbage until the fish tell you otherwise.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Start at | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 2 to 8 ft | midday & dawn | Shallow bay flat (4 ft) | #5 inline spinner, Spoon (red/white) |
| Summer | 8 to 20 ft | dawn & dusk | Secondary point (10 ft) | Bucktail, Weedless spoon over cabbage |
| Fall | 6 to 18 ft | midday & dawn | Secondary point (10 ft) | Big rubber (Bull Dawg style), Husky-style jerkbait |
| Winter | 5 to 15 ft | midday | Shallow bay flat (4 ft) | Tip-ups, Large jigging spoon |
Start shallow in spring: smallmouth bass sit in 3 to 12 ft that time of year. Warm water sends them out to 6 to 20 ft; cold water stacks them in 6 to 20 ft. Top water on the chart: Secondary point, a point in the 10 ft range, prime in fall. Fish it in early morning and the evening and you'll meet the bite. Throw a drop shot (goby/minnow) or a ned rig until the fish tell you otherwise.
Depth note: when a documented seasonal range extends below this chart, the table shows the deepest mapped working water, not a verified holding depth.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Start at | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 3 to 12 ft | dawn & dusk | Secondary point (10 ft) | Ned rig, Tube jig |
| Summer | 6 to 20 ft chart-limited; documented 10 to 30 ft | dawn & dusk | Secondary point (10 ft) | Drop shot (goby/minnow), Ned rig |
| Fall | 6 to 20 ft chart-limited; documented 8 to 25 ft | midday & dawn | Secondary point (10 ft) | Jerkbait, Blade bait |
| Winter | 6 to 20 ft chart-limited; documented 20 to 45 ft | midday | Break off the point (3 ft) | Blade bait, Hair jig |
Come spring, look for yellow perch tight to the bank in 3 to 12 ft. They move out to 6 to 20 ft in summer and finish the year down in 6 to 20 ft. If you only fish one area, make it Shallow bay flat: a weed flat around 4 ft that scores prime in spring. Best bite is early morning. A drop-shot micro plastics or a small spoon tipped with worm is the honest summer answer here.
Depth note: when a documented seasonal range extends below this chart, the table shows the deepest mapped working water, not a verified holding depth.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Start at | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 3 to 12 ft | midday & dawn | Shallow bay flat (4 ft) | Small jig + curly tail, Perch-pattern micro crank |
| Summer | 6 to 20 ft chart-limited; documented 10 to 30 ft | dawn | Deep basin (20 ft) | Drop-shot micro plastics, Small spoon tipped with worm |
| Fall | 6 to 20 ft chart-limited; documented 12 to 35 ft | midday | Deep basin (20 ft) | Jigging spoon (small), Perch rig / spreader |
| Winter | 6 to 20 ft chart-limited; documented 15 to 35 ft | midday & dawn | Deep basin (20 ft) | Tungsten jig + spikes, Rattle spoon (small) |
Spring puts burbot in skinny water — 6 to 20 ft is the zone. Summer fish stay in 6 to 20 ft, and winter fish hold in 5 to 20 ft. Deep basin is the standout, a deep basin at roughly 20 ft, rated prime for spring burbot. Plan around after dark and midday in the warm months. A heavy jig + cut bait covers the summer program.
Depth note: when a documented seasonal range extends below this chart, the table shows the deepest mapped working water, not a verified holding depth.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Start at | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 6 to 20 ft chart-limited; documented 25 to 70 ft | night & dusk | Deep basin (20 ft) | Glow jigging spoon + cut bait, Rattle bait (dark) |
| Summer | 6 to 20 ft chart-limited; documented 50 to 120 ft | night & midday | Deep basin (20 ft) | Heavy jig + cut bait |
| Fall | 6 to 20 ft chart-limited; documented 30 to 80 ft | night & dusk | Deep basin (20 ft) | Glow spoon + minnow head, Blade bait (slow) |
| Winter | 5 to 20 ft chart-limited; documented 15 to 60 ft | night & dusk | Deep basin (20 ft) | Glow tungsten + cut bait, Rattle spoon + minnow head |
Early season cisco (lake herring) use the shallows, holding in 5 to 20 ft. Even in summer they hold at 6 to 20 ft; winter keeps them in 6 to 20 ft. The chart's best answer is Deep basin — deep basin, 20 ft, prime for spring. Best bite is early morning. Tie on a vertical flutter spoon (small) or a drop-shot micro plastic and you're in the game.
Depth note: when a documented seasonal range extends below this chart, the table shows the deepest mapped working water, not a verified holding depth.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Start at | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 5 to 20 ft chart-limited; documented 10 to 40 ft | dawn & dusk | Deep basin (20 ft) | Small silver spoon, Tiny swim jig (white) |
| Summer | 6 to 20 ft chart-limited; documented 40 to 80 ft | dawn | Deep basin (20 ft) | Vertical flutter spoon (small), Drop-shot micro plastic |
| Fall | 4 to 20 ft chart-limited; documented 5 to 25 ft | dusk & dawn | Break off the point (3 ft) | Small casting spoon, Inline spinner (silver) |
| Winter | 6 to 20 ft chart-limited; documented 20 to 60 ft | dawn | Deep basin (20 ft) | Small jigging spoon (glow/silver), Tungsten jig + minnow head |
6 pieces of structure are mapped here — Deep basin, around 20 ft, is the deepest of them.
Access data: Manitoba — Waterbody Entry Points. Confirm conditions and fees locally before you launch.
Season dates, license requirements, and size and bag limits for Manitoba waters are set by the Manitoba anglers' guide — and special regulations can apply to Black Lake specifically, so confirm the current rules before you fish.
Check the official Manitoba fishing regulations →
Black Lake is about 20 ft (6 m) deep at its deepest point. The depth chart comes from published agency bathymetric survey data, so the contours are survey-derived rather than computer-modeled.
Anglers target walleye, northern pike, smallmouth bass, yellow perch, burbot, cisco (lake herring) on Black Lake.
Deep basin is the top-rated area: a deep basin in about 20 ft of water that rates prime for walleye in winter. Scroll up to the map for the complete spot list by species and season.
For walleye, the summer bite is best in the evening and 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 Black Lake is regulated by the Manitoba anglers' guide. Check the official Manitoba regulations for current license requirements, season dates, and size and bag limits — special regulations can apply to this specific water.
Tooth Lake 7 mi · Wingiskus Lake 13 mi, ON · Bee Lake 13 mi, ON · Bird Lake 13 mi · Narraway Lake 13 mi, ON · Booster Lake 16 mi · Eden Lake 16 mi, ON · Wilson Lake 17 mi, ON · Trident Lake 17 mi, ON · Reynar Lake 17 mi, ON · Chase Lake 18 mi, ON · Irregular Lake 18 mi, ON
See how Black Lake stacks up: best smallmouth bass lakes in Manitoba · best walleye lakes in Manitoba · best northern pike lakes in Manitoba · best yellow perch lakes in Manitoba
More water nearby: Division No. 19 fishing maps (9 charts). Browse all Manitoba fishing maps. 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.