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Rating depth structure for lake trout.
Recent public catches load as you reach this section.
101-acre lake in Thunder Bay District, Ontario. The lake tops out around 39 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 1978, a decades-old survey (a transect sounding survey). Here is how the season plays out for each species, straight from the data behind the map.
On the chart, Cliff Lake draws 101 acres inside 1.9 miles of shoreline. Its 1.4 shoreline index means few bank features; the contours below do the pattern work. About 35% of the surface sits shallower than 15 ft — that's the weed-and-bait zone. Call it 0.7 mi long by 0.4 mi wide at the broadest reach. The water lies in Thunder Bay District. Closest neighbour on DepthScout: Pringle Lake, 1 mi northeast of here.
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.
Start shallow in spring: lake trout sit in 10 to 39 ft that time of year. They don't go far with the seasons — 12 to 39 ft covers summer, 10 to 39 ft covers winter. The spot to know is Deep basin, a deep basin in about 39 ft of water that rates prime for lake trout in summer. Warm-month bites cluster around early morning. Throw a white tube jig (deep) or a magnum spoon on downrigger 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 | 10 to 39 ft chart-limited; documented 10 to 40 ft | dawn & dusk | Main-lake point (12 ft) | Casting spoon over shoals, Jerkbait (shallow) |
| Summer | 12 to 39 ft chart-limited; documented 50 to 120 ft | dawn | Deep basin (39 ft) | White tube jig (deep), Magnum spoon on downrigger |
| Fall | 8 to 39 ft chart-limited; documented 10 to 50 ft | dusk & dawn | Main-lake point (12 ft) | Heavy casting spoon, Jigging rap over reefs |
| Winter | 10 to 39 ft chart-limited; documented 20 to 80 ft | dawn | Deep basin (39 ft) | White tube jig, Airplane jig |
Cliff Lake carries 6 mapped structure features, topping out (or rather bottoming out) at Deep basin, about 39 ft down.
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 Cliff Lake specifically, so confirm the current rules before you fish.
Check the official Ontario fishing regulations →
Cliff Lake is about 39 ft (12 m) deep at its deepest point. The depth data here comes from the Ontario MNRF survey of 1978, a decades-old survey (a transect sounding survey).
Anglers target lake trout on Cliff Lake.
Deep basin is the top-rated area: a deep basin in about 39 ft of water that rates prime for lake trout in summer. Scroll up to the map for the complete spot list by 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 Cliff 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.
Pringle Lake 1 mi · Elm Lake 3 mi · Black Mountain Lake 3 mi · Little Moraine Lake 3 mi · Moraine Lake 5 mi · Unknown Lake 5 mi · Sturge Lake 7 mi · Anders Lake 7 mi · Wolfpup Lake 8 mi · Eskwanonwatin Lake 11 mi · Disraeli Lake 11 mi · Golden Gate Lake 12 mi
See how Cliff Lake stacks up: best lake trout lakes in Ontario
More water nearby: Thunder Bay District fishing maps (662 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.