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Fishing Carl Wilson Lake: what the data says
922-acre lake near Ontario. The lake tops out around 76 ft. The contours are modeled from the water's real shoreline and maximum depth. Treat them as a rough guide, and never use them for navigation. Below is the species-by-species picture, pulled from the same data the map uses.
Brook Trout fishing at Carl Wilson Lake
In spring, brook trout run shallow here, mostly 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. If you only fish one area, make it Shallow bay flat: a weed flat around 6 ft that scores good in spring. In summer the feeding windows fall in early morning and the evening. A small spoon fished deep or a trolled lake-clear wobbler + worm covers the summer program.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 2 to 15 ft | dawn & dusk | Small inline spinner (gold), Tiny spoon |
| Summer | 10 to 30 ft | dawn & dusk | Small spoon fished deep, Trolled lake-clear wobbler + worm |
| Fall | 2 to 15 ft | midday & dawn | Small spoon (orange), Spinner |
| Winter | 3 to 20 ft | dawn | Small jigging spoon, Tungsten jig + plastic |
Lake Trout fishing at Carl Wilson Lake
Start shallow in spring: lake trout sit in 10 to 40 ft that time of year. By summer they slide out to 23 to 76 ft, and by winter most fish are in 19 to 76 ft. If you only fish one area, make it Deep basin: a deep basin around 65 ft that scores prime in summer. In summer the feeding windows fall in early morning. A white tube jig (deep) or a magnum spoon on downrigger covers the summer program.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 10 to 40 ft | dawn & dusk | Casting spoon over shoals, Jerkbait (shallow) |
| Summer | 23 to 76 ft | dawn | White tube jig (deep), Magnum spoon on downrigger |
| Fall | 10 to 50 ft | dusk & dawn | Heavy casting spoon, Jigging rap over reefs |
| Winter | 19 to 76 ft | dawn | White tube jig, Airplane jig |
Cisco (Lake Herring) fishing at Carl Wilson Lake
In spring, cisco (lake herring) run shallow here, mostly 10 to 40 ft. They move out to 23 to 76 ft in summer and finish the year down in 20 to 60 ft. Deep basin is the standout, a deep basin at roughly 65 ft, rated prime for summer cisco (lake herring). Plan around early morning in the warm months. Tie on a vertical flutter spoon (small) or a drop-shot micro plastic and you're in the game.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 10 to 40 ft | dawn & dusk | Small silver spoon, Tiny swim jig (white) |
| Summer | 23 to 76 ft | dawn | Vertical flutter spoon (small), Drop-shot micro plastic |
| Fall | 5 to 25 ft | dusk & dawn | Small casting spoon, Inline spinner (silver) |
| Winter | 20 to 60 ft | dawn | Small jigging spoon (glow/silver), Tungsten jig + minnow head |
Burbot fishing at Carl Wilson Lake
In spring, burbot run shallow here, mostly 25 to 70 ft. They move out to 23 to 76 ft in summer and finish the year down in 15 to 60 ft. If you only fish one area, make it Deep basin: a deep basin around 65 ft that scores prime in spring. Best bite is after dark and midday. Summer baits: a heavy jig + cut bait gets it done.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 25 to 70 ft | night & dusk | Glow jigging spoon + cut bait, Rattle bait (dark) |
| Summer | 23 to 76 ft | night & midday | Heavy jig + cut bait |
| Fall | 23 to 76 ft | night & dusk | Glow spoon + minnow head, Blade bait (slow) |
| Winter | 15 to 60 ft | night & dusk | Glow tungsten + cut bait, Rattle spoon + minnow head |
Notable structure
- Deep basin: deep basin, around 65 ft
- Break off the point: drop-off, around 34 ft
- Main-lake point: point, around 19 ft
- Secondary point: point, around 19 ft
- Shallow bay flat: weed flat, around 6 ft
- Back-bay flat: weed flat, around 6 ft
Common questions
How deep is Carl Wilson Lake?
Carl Wilson Lake is about 76 ft 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.
What fish are in Carl Wilson Lake?
Anglers target lake trout, brook trout, burbot, cisco (lake herring) on Carl Wilson Lake.
Where is the best fishing spot on Carl Wilson Lake?
Deep basin is the top-rated area: a deep basin in about 65 ft of water that rates prime for lake trout in summer. Open the map above to see every rated spot for each species and season.
When is the best time to fish Carl Wilson Lake?
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.
Nearby waters
Laurel Lake · Gouinlock Lake · Loxley Lake · Little Cauchon Lake · Luckless Lake · Lynx Lake
See how Carl Wilson Lake stacks up: best lake trout lakes in Ontario · best brook trout lakes in Ontario · best burbot lakes in Ontario · best cisco (lake herring) lakes in Ontario
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