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137-acre lake in Nipissing District, Ontario. The lake tops out around 10 ft. The depth data here comes from a transect sounding survey by the Ontario MNRF. The season-by-season read for each species follows, from the map's own numbers.
On the chart, Bonita Lake draws 138 acres inside 3.5 miles of shoreline — one island included. Index 2.1 on the shoreline: a few honest points and pockets, nothing labyrinthine. Nothing on this chart breaks 15 ft, which makes the whole surface littoral: weeds, bait and ambush cover everywhere. End to end it runs roughly 0.8 mi, about 0.6 mi across. You'll find it in Nipissing District. For a second option, Sam Lake lies 1 mi northwest.
The spring pattern is a shallow one: lake trout in 3 to 10 ft. The depth story barely changes: 3 to 10 ft through summer, 3 to 10 ft in winter. The spot to know is Deep basin, a deep basin in about 10 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 | 3 to 10 ft | dawn & dusk | Main-lake point (6 ft) | Casting spoon over shoals, Jerkbait (shallow) |
| Summer | 3 to 10 ft | dawn | Deep basin (10 ft) | White tube jig (deep), Magnum spoon on downrigger |
| Fall | 2 to 10 ft | dusk & dawn | Main-lake point (6 ft) | Heavy casting spoon, Jigging rap over reefs |
| Winter | 3 to 10 ft | dawn | Deep basin (10 ft) | White tube jig, Airplane jig |
Come spring, look for cisco (lake herring) tight to the bank in 3 to 10 ft. Through summer count on 3 to 10 ft; the winter hold is 3 to 10 ft. If you only fish one area, make it Deep basin: a deep basin around 10 ft that scores prime in spring. Best bite is early morning. A vertical flutter spoon (small) or a drop-shot micro plastic is the honest summer answer here.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Start at | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 3 to 10 ft | dawn & dusk | Deep basin (10 ft) | Small silver spoon, Tiny swim jig (white) |
| Summer | 3 to 10 ft | dawn | Deep basin (10 ft) | Vertical flutter spoon (small), Drop-shot micro plastic |
| Fall | 2 to 10 ft | dusk & dawn | Break off the point (10 ft) | Small casting spoon, Inline spinner (silver) |
| Winter | 3 to 10 ft | dawn | Deep basin (10 ft) | Small jigging spoon (glow/silver), Tungsten jig + minnow head |
Early season yellow perch use the shallows, holding in 3 to 10 ft. Even in summer they hold at 3 to 10 ft; winter keeps them in 3 to 10 ft. The chart's best answer is Back-bay flat — weed flat, 3 ft, prime for spring. Best bite is early morning. Tie on a drop-shot micro plastics or a small spoon tipped with worm and you're in the game.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Start at | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 3 to 10 ft | midday & dawn | Back-bay flat (3 ft) | Small jig + curly tail, Perch-pattern micro crank |
| Summer | 3 to 10 ft | dawn | Deep basin (10 ft) | Drop-shot micro plastics, Small spoon tipped with worm |
| Fall | 3 to 10 ft | midday | Deep basin (10 ft) | Jigging spoon (small), Perch rig / spreader |
| Winter | 3 to 10 ft | midday & dawn | Deep basin (10 ft) | Tungsten jig + spikes, Rattle spoon (small) |
In spring, smallmouth bass run shallow here, mostly 3 to 10 ft. Summer keeps them at 3 to 10 ft, and they winter in 3 to 10 ft. Fall smallmouth bass concentrate at Main-lake point, a prime-rated point around 6 ft. Fish it in early morning and the evening and you'll meet the bite. You won't need more than a drop shot (goby/minnow) or a ned rig most summer days.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Start at | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 3 to 10 ft | dawn & dusk | Main-lake point (6 ft) | Ned rig, Tube jig |
| Summer | 3 to 10 ft | dawn & dusk | Break off the point (10 ft) | Drop shot (goby/minnow), Ned rig |
| Fall | 3 to 10 ft | midday & dawn | Main-lake point (6 ft) | Jerkbait, Blade bait |
| Winter | 3 to 10 ft | midday | Break off the point (10 ft) | Blade bait, Hair jig |
Come spring, look for pumpkinseed tight to the bank in 1 to 8 ft. They move out to 2 to 10 ft in summer and finish the year down in 3 to 10 ft. If you only fish one area, make it Shallow bay flat: a weed flat around 2 ft that scores prime in spring. Best bite is the evening and early morning. A micro tube or a sponge spider (fly) is the honest summer answer here.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Start at | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 1 to 8 ft | midday & dusk | Shallow bay flat (2 ft) | Micro jig under a float, Tiny beetle-spin |
| Summer | 2 to 10 ft | dusk & dawn | Shallow bay flat (2 ft) | Micro tube, Sponge spider (fly) |
| Fall | 3 to 10 ft | dusk & dawn | Back-bay flat (3 ft) | Micro jig + waxworm, Small spoon tipped |
| Winter | 3 to 10 ft | dawn | Back-bay flat (3 ft) | Tungsten ice jig + plastic, Tiny spoon |
The chart marks 6 structure features on Bonita Lake; the deepest is Deep basin at about 10 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 Bonita Lake specifically, so confirm the current rules before you fish.
Check the official Ontario fishing regulations →
Bonita Lake is about 10 ft (3 m) deep at its deepest point. The depth data here comes from a transect sounding survey by the Ontario MNRF.
Anglers target lake trout, cisco (lake herring), yellow perch, smallmouth bass, pumpkinseed on Bonita Lake.
Deep basin is the top-rated area: a deep basin in about 10 ft of water that rates prime for lake trout in summer. The interactive chart above rates every spot for each species and season.
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 Bonita 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.
Sam Lake 1 mi · Tea Lake 1 mi · Coot Lake 2 mi · Drummer Lake 2 mi · Swan Lake 2 mi · Namakootchie Creek 2 mi · Smoke Lake 2 mi · Little Drummer Lake 2 mi · Canoe Lake 2 mi · Namakootchie Lake 2 mi · Scott Lake 3 mi · Tonakela Lake 3 mi
See how Bonita Lake stacks up: best smallmouth bass lakes in Ontario · best yellow perch lakes in Ontario · best lake trout lakes in Ontario · best cisco (lake herring) lakes in Ontario
More water nearby: Nipissing District fishing maps (683 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.