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Rating depth structure for lake trout.
Recent public catches load as you reach this section.
29-acre lake in Nipissing District, Ontario. The lake tops out around 20 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 1974, a decades-old survey (a transect sounding survey). The rest of this page walks each species through its year, using the map's own scoring.
The outline encloses 30 acres, worked by 1.3 miles of shoreline. With a 1.7 development index there's bank structure worth casting at, in moderation. 58% of the surface is littoral (under ~15 ft) — cover, weeds and forage water. The basin spans about 0.5 mi end to end and 0.2 mi across at its widest. Nipissing District claims this one. If the bite dies, Philip Lake is 1 mi to the north.
These fish are listed in an exact-water agency record as forage or ecological context. They are not target-species profiles and do not affect DepthScout's Prime, Good, or Fair spot ratings.
Official Ontario MNRF Fish ON-Line record. The listing documents source-recorded presence, not present abundance or guaranteed catchability.
Spring brook trout on Charles Lake hold shallow, usually 2 to 15 ft. They move out to 6 to 20 ft in summer and finish the year down in 3 to 20 ft. Put Deep basin first on the milk run — a deep basin near 20 ft that grades prime for summer. The feeding windows run early morning and the evening. The summer box starts with a small spoon fished deep or a trolled lake-clear wobbler + worm.
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 | 2 to 15 ft | dawn & dusk | Main-lake point (4 ft) | Small inline spinner (gold), Tiny spoon |
| Summer | 6 to 20 ft chart-limited; documented 10 to 30 ft | dawn & dusk | Deep basin (20 ft) | Small spoon fished deep, Trolled lake-clear wobbler + worm |
| Fall | 2 to 15 ft | midday & dawn | Main-lake point (4 ft) | Small spoon (orange), Spinner |
| Winter | 3 to 20 ft | dawn | Deep basin (20 ft) | Small jigging spoon, Tungsten jig + plastic |
Come spring, look for lake trout tight to the bank in 5 to 20 ft. Through summer count on 6 to 20 ft; the winter hold is 5 to 20 ft. If you only fish one area, make it Deep basin: a deep basin around 20 ft that scores prime in summer. Best bite is early morning. A white tube jig (deep) or a magnum spoon on downrigger 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 | 5 to 20 ft chart-limited; documented 10 to 40 ft | dawn & dusk | Secondary point (12 ft) | Casting spoon over shoals, Jerkbait (shallow) |
| Summer | 6 to 20 ft chart-limited; documented 50 to 120 ft | dawn | Deep basin (20 ft) | White tube jig (deep), Magnum spoon on downrigger |
| Fall | 4 to 20 ft chart-limited; documented 10 to 50 ft | dusk & dawn | Main-lake point (4 ft) | Heavy casting spoon, Jigging rap over reefs |
| Winter | 5 to 20 ft chart-limited; documented 20 to 80 ft | dawn | Deep basin (20 ft) | White tube jig, Airplane jig |
Count 5 structure marks on this chart. The deepest, Deep basin, sits near 20 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 Charles Lake specifically, so confirm the current rules before you fish.
Check the official Ontario fishing regulations →
Charles Lake is about 20 ft (6 m) deep at its deepest point. The depth data here comes from the Ontario MNRF survey of 1974, a decades-old survey (a transect sounding survey).
Anglers target brook trout, lake trout on Charles Lake.
Deep basin is the top-rated area: a deep basin in about 20 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.
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 Charles 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.
Philip Lake 1 mi · Farncomb Lake 5 mi · Big Crow Lake 5 mi · Hogan Lake 5 mi · Little Crow Lake 7 mi · Lake Lavieille 7 mi · Catfish Lake 8 mi · Calumet Lake 8 mi · Radiant Lake 8 mi · Thomas Lake 8 mi · Cedar Lake 9 mi · Cuckoo Lake 9 mi
See how Charles Lake stacks up: best lake trout lakes in Ontario · best brook trout lakes in Ontario
More water nearby: Nipissing District fishing maps (683 charts). Browse all Ontario 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.