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63-acre lake in Thunder Bay District, Ontario. The lake tops out around 40 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 a transect sounding survey by the Ontario MNRF. Every species below gets its seasonal read from the same numbers driving the chart.
The drawn water covers 64 acres wrapped in 1.9 miles of bank. A middling shoreline index (1.7) gives it some bays to work without being a maze. The shallow band under 15 ft claims about 33% of the surface — that's where the groceries are. The basin spans about 0.7 mi end to end and 0.2 mi across at its widest. Thunder Bay District claims this one. Its nearest charted neighbour, Dunc Lake, is 2 mi to the west.
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 northern pike on Deer Lake hold shallow, usually 2 to 8 ft. By summer they slide out to 8 to 20 ft, and by winter most fish are in 5 to 15 ft. The chart's best answer is Shallow bay flat — weed flat, 7 ft, prime for spring. Prime time lands in early morning and the evening. The summer box starts with a bucktail or a weedless spoon over cabbage.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Start at | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 2 to 8 ft | midday & dawn | Shallow bay flat (7 ft) | #5 inline spinner, Spoon (red/white) |
| Summer | 8 to 20 ft | dawn & dusk | Back-bay flat (10 ft) | Bucktail, Weedless spoon over cabbage |
| Fall | 6 to 18 ft | midday & dawn | Shallow bay flat (7 ft) | Big rubber (Bull Dawg style), Husky-style jerkbait |
| Winter | 5 to 15 ft | midday | Shallow bay flat (7 ft) | Tip-ups, Large jigging spoon |
Early season burbot use the shallows, holding in 12 to 40 ft. Even in summer they hold at 12 to 40 ft; winter keeps them in 10 to 40 ft. The chart's best answer is Deep basin — deep basin, 38 ft, prime for spring. Best bite is after dark and midday. Tie on a heavy jig + cut bait and you're in the game.
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 | 12 to 40 ft chart-limited; documented 25 to 70 ft | night & dusk | Deep basin (38 ft) | Glow jigging spoon + cut bait, Rattle bait (dark) |
| Summer | 12 to 40 ft chart-limited; documented 50 to 120 ft | night & midday | Deep basin (38 ft) | Heavy jig + cut bait |
| Fall | 12 to 40 ft chart-limited; documented 30 to 80 ft | night & dusk | Deep basin (38 ft) | Glow spoon + minnow head, Blade bait (slow) |
| Winter | 10 to 40 ft chart-limited; documented 15 to 60 ft | night & dusk | Deep basin (38 ft) | Glow tungsten + cut bait, Rattle spoon + minnow head |
Structure-wise the chart holds 6 features, led in depth by Deep basin at roughly 38 ft.
Access data: Geospatial Ontario - Fishing Access Points; Government of Ontario - MNR Unpatented Crown Land Shoreline; Government of Ontario - MNR Unpatented Crown Land Shoreline. Confirm conditions and fees locally before you launch.
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 Deer Lake specifically, so confirm the current rules before you fish.
Check the official Ontario fishing regulations →
Deer Lake is about 40 ft (12 m) deep at its deepest point. The depth data here comes from a transect sounding survey by the Ontario MNRF.
Anglers target northern pike, burbot on Deer Lake.
Shallow bay flat is the top-rated area: a weed flat in about 7 ft of water that rates prime for northern pike in spring. Scroll up to the map for the complete spot list by 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 Deer 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.
Dunc Lake 2 mi · Clearwater Lake 2 mi · White Lake 3 mi · Fearless Lake 6 mi · McGill Lake 16 mi · Kwinkwaga Lake 16 mi · Gowan Lake 18 mi · Raven Lake 21 mi · North McCrea Lake 23 mi · Pokei Lake 27 mi · Dayohessarah Lake 29 mi · Gibson Lake 29 mi
See how Deer Lake stacks up: best northern pike lakes in Ontario · best burbot 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.