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Rating depth structure for northern pike.
Shared by DepthScout anglers. Exact spots stay private, always.
2,796-acre lake near Wetaskiwin. The lake tops out around 16 ft. The depth chart comes from published agency bathymetric survey data, so the contours are survey-derived rather than computer-modeled. Here is how the season plays out for each species, straight from the data behind the map.
Traced from the shoreline, Coal Lake runs 2,789 acres with 24.6 miles of edge. A development index of 3.3 means a maze of bays and points: far more casting targets than a round bowl of the same size. About 96% of the surface sits shallower than 15 ft — that's the weed-and-bait zone. Tip to tip the water measures near 10.7 mi with a 2-mi widest point. You'll find it in Division No. 11. Closest neighbour on DepthScout: Telford Lake, 17 mi northwest of here.
Spring puts northern pike in skinny water — 2 to 8 ft is the zone. Warm water sends them out to 5 to 16 ft; cold water stacks them in 5 to 15 ft. Shallow bay flat is the standout, a weed flat at roughly 2 ft, rated prime for spring northern pike. Plan around early morning and the evening in the warm months. A bucktail or a weedless spoon over cabbage covers the summer program.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Start at | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 2 to 8 ft | midday & dawn | Shallow bay flat (2 ft) | #5 inline spinner, Spoon (red/white) |
| Summer | 5 to 16 ft | dawn & dusk | Break off the point (10 ft) | Bucktail, Weedless spoon over cabbage |
| Fall | 5 to 16 ft | midday & dawn | Break off the point (10 ft) | Big rubber (Bull Dawg style), Husky-style jerkbait |
| Winter | 5 to 15 ft | midday | Feeding flat (13 ft) | Tip-ups, Large jigging spoon |
Spring yellow perch on Coal Lake hold shallow, usually 3 to 12 ft. They move out to 5 to 16 ft in summer and finish the year down in 5 to 16 ft. Put Weed flat first on the milk run — a weed flat near 3 ft that grades prime for spring. The feeding windows run early morning. The summer box starts with a drop-shot micro plastics or a small spoon tipped with worm.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Start at | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 3 to 12 ft | midday & dawn | Weed flat (3 ft) | Small jig + curly tail, Perch-pattern micro crank |
| Summer | 5 to 16 ft | dawn | Deep basin (16 ft) | Drop-shot micro plastics, Small spoon tipped with worm |
| Fall | 5 to 16 ft | midday | Deep basin (16 ft) | Jigging spoon (small), Perch rig / spreader |
| Winter | 5 to 16 ft | midday & dawn | Deep basin (16 ft) | Tungsten jig + spikes, Rattle spoon (small) |
14 pieces of structure are mapped here — Deep basin, around 16 ft, is the deepest of them.
Season dates, license requirements, and size and bag limits for Alberta waters are set by the Alberta fishing regulations — and special regulations can apply to Coal Lake specifically, so confirm the current rules before you fish.
Check the official Alberta fishing regulations →
Coal Lake is about 16 ft (5 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 northern pike, yellow perch on Coal Lake.
Shallow bay flat is the top-rated area: a weed flat in about 2 ft of water that rates prime for northern pike in spring. The interactive chart above rates every spot for each species and season.
For northern pike, 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 Coal Lake is regulated by the Alberta fishing regulations. Check the official Alberta regulations for current license requirements, season dates, and size and bag limits — special regulations can apply to this specific water.
Telford Lake 17 mi · Joseph Lake 18 mi · Oliver Lake 19 mi · Miquelon Lakes 20 mi · Samson Lake 22 mi · Wizard Lake 24 mi · Little Beaver Lake 24 mi · Red Deer Lake 26 mi · Cooking Lake 28 mi · Hastings Lake 29 mi · Antler Lake 32 mi · Pigeon Lake 33 mi
See how Coal Lake stacks up: best northern pike lakes in Alberta · best yellow perch lakes in Alberta
More water nearby: Division No. 11 fishing maps (25 charts). Browse all Alberta fishing maps or 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.