Lake depth chart
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18-acre lake in Mineral County, Montana. The lake tops out around 25 ft. The depth chart comes from published agency bathymetric survey data, so the contours are survey-derived rather than computer-modeled. What the data behind the map says about each species, season by season:
On the chart, Diamond Lake (Mineral) draws 18 acres inside 0.7 miles of shoreline. At index 1.1 the outline is almost a bowl — read the depth changes, not the shoreline. 45% of the surface is littoral (under ~15 ft) — cover, weeds and forage water. Call it 0.3 mi long. The water lies in Mineral County. Closest neighbour on DepthScout: Cliff Lake (Mineral), 1 mi southwest of here.
Spring walleye on Diamond Lake (Mineral) hold shallow, usually 4 to 15 ft. They move out to 8 to 25 ft in summer and finish the year down in 8 to 25 ft. Put Break off the point first on the milk run — a drop-off near 16 ft that grades prime for fall. The feeding windows run the evening and early morning. The summer box starts with a crawler harness on bottom bouncer or a deep crankbait (trolled).
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 | 4 to 15 ft | dusk & dawn | Main-lake point (5 ft) | 1/8 oz jig + minnow, Hair jig |
| Summer | 8 to 25 ft chart-limited; documented 15 to 35 ft | dusk & dawn | Break off the point (16 ft) | Crawler harness on bottom bouncer, Deep crankbait (trolled) |
| Fall | 8 to 25 ft chart-limited; documented 12 to 40 ft | dusk & night | Break off the point (16 ft) | Jigging rap, Jig + big minnow |
| Winter | 8 to 25 ft chart-limited; documented 20 to 40 ft | dusk & dawn | Deep basin (24 ft) | Jigging spoon + minnow head, Rattle bait |
In spring, northern pike run shallow here, mostly 2 to 8 ft. Summer pushes them deeper, 8 to 20 ft, and winter fish settle into 5 to 15 ft. Break off the point is the standout, a drop-off at roughly 16 ft, rated prime for fall northern pike. Time it for early morning and the evening. You won't need more than a bucktail or a weedless spoon over cabbage most summer days.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Start at | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 2 to 8 ft | midday & dawn | open water | #5 inline spinner, Spoon (red/white) |
| Summer | 8 to 20 ft | dawn & dusk | Break off the point (16 ft) | Bucktail, Weedless spoon over cabbage |
| Fall | 6 to 18 ft | midday & dawn | Break off the point (16 ft) | Big rubber (Bull Dawg style), Husky-style jerkbait |
| Winter | 5 to 15 ft | midday | Main-lake point (5 ft) | Tip-ups, Large jigging spoon |
Early season yellow perch use the shallows, holding in 3 to 12 ft. Expect a summer slide to 8 to 25 ft, then a winter hold in 8 to 25 ft. Put Deep basin first on the milk run — a deep basin near 24 ft that grades prime for fall. In summer the feeding windows fall in early morning. Tie on a drop-shot micro plastics or a small spoon tipped with worm 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 | 3 to 12 ft | midday & dawn | open water | Small jig + curly tail, Perch-pattern micro crank |
| Summer | 8 to 25 ft chart-limited; documented 10 to 30 ft | dawn | Deep basin (24 ft) | Drop-shot micro plastics, Small spoon tipped with worm |
| Fall | 8 to 25 ft chart-limited; documented 12 to 35 ft | midday | Deep basin (24 ft) | Jigging spoon (small), Perch rig / spreader |
| Winter | 8 to 25 ft chart-limited; documented 15 to 35 ft | midday & dawn | Deep basin (24 ft) | Tungsten jig + spikes, Rattle spoon (small) |
In spring, smallmouth bass run shallow here, mostly 3 to 12 ft. Summer pushes them deeper, 8 to 25 ft, and winter fish settle into 8 to 25 ft. Break off the point is the standout, a drop-off at roughly 16 ft, rated prime for winter smallmouth bass. Time it for early morning and the evening. You won't need more than a drop shot (goby/minnow) or a ned rig most summer days.
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 | 3 to 12 ft | dawn & dusk | Main-lake point (5 ft) | Ned rig, Tube jig |
| Summer | 8 to 25 ft chart-limited; documented 10 to 30 ft | dawn & dusk | Break off the point (16 ft) | Drop shot (goby/minnow), Ned rig |
| Fall | 8 to 25 ft | midday & dawn | Break off the point (16 ft) | Jerkbait, Blade bait |
| Winter | 8 to 25 ft chart-limited; documented 20 to 45 ft | midday | Break off the point (16 ft) | Blade bait, Hair jig |
Start shallow in spring: rainbow trout sit in 5 to 20 ft that time of year. Warm water sends them out to 7 to 25 ft; cold water stacks them in 5 to 25 ft. Top water on the chart: Break off the point, a drop-off in the 16 ft range, prime in winter. Fish it in early morning and the evening and you'll meet the bite. Throw a dodger + spoon (deep troll) or a flutter spoon 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 | 5 to 20 ft | dawn & dusk | Main-lake point (5 ft) | Inline spinner (silver), Small spoon |
| Summer | 7 to 25 ft chart-limited; documented 8 to 30 ft | dawn & dusk | Break off the point (16 ft) | Dodger + spoon (deep troll), Flutter spoon |
| Fall | 7 to 25 ft chart-limited; documented 10 to 35 ft | dawn & dusk | Break off the point (16 ft) | Casting spoon, Jerkbait over shoals |
| Winter | 5 to 25 ft chart-limited; documented 8 to 40 ft | dawn | Break off the point (16 ft) | Jigging spoon, Tube jig (white) |
The spring pattern is a shallow one: lake trout in 6 to 25 ft. The depth story barely changes: 8 to 25 ft through summer, 6 to 25 ft in winter. Top water on the chart: Deep basin, a deep basin in the 24 ft range, prime in summer. Time it for early morning. Summer baits: a white tube jig (deep) or a magnum spoon on downrigger gets it done.
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 | 6 to 25 ft chart-limited; documented 10 to 40 ft | dawn & dusk | Main-lake point (5 ft) | Casting spoon over shoals, Jerkbait (shallow) |
| Summer | 8 to 25 ft chart-limited; documented 50 to 120 ft | dawn | Deep basin (24 ft) | White tube jig (deep), Magnum spoon on downrigger |
| Fall | 5 to 25 ft chart-limited; documented 10 to 50 ft | dusk & dawn | Main-lake point (5 ft) | Heavy casting spoon, Jigging rap over reefs |
| Winter | 6 to 25 ft chart-limited; documented 20 to 80 ft | dawn | Deep basin (24 ft) | White tube jig, Airplane jig |
Diamond Lake (Mineral) also holds crappie (10 to 25 ft in summer), channel catfish (8 to 25 ft in summer), brook trout (8 to 25 ft in summer), cutthroat trout (7 to 25 ft in summer). Pick any of them on the map above for rated spots and bait picks.
4 pieces of structure are mapped here — Deep basin, around 24 ft, is the deepest of them.
Season dates, license requirements, and size and bag limits for Montana waters are set by the Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks — and special regulations can apply to Diamond Lake (Mineral) specifically, so confirm the current rules before you fish.
Check the official Montana fishing regulations →
Diamond Lake (Mineral) is about 25 ft (8 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 walleye, northern pike, yellow perch, smallmouth bass, rainbow trout, lake trout, crappie, channel catfish, brook trout, cutthroat trout on Diamond Lake (Mineral). This isn't a survey of the water — none is published for it — but an informed estimate from the species common to the region, narrowed by this water's depth, size and each species' range.
Break off the point is the top-rated area: a drop-off in about 16 ft of water that rates prime for walleye in fall. Every other rated spot, per species and season, is on the map above.
For walleye, the summer bite is best in the evening and 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 Diamond Lake (Mineral) is regulated by the Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks. Check the official Montana regulations for current license requirements, season dates, and size and bag limits — special regulations can apply to this specific water.
Cliff Lake (Mineral) 1 mi · Lost Lake (Mineral) 4 mi · Moore Lake (Mineral) 4 mi · Bonanza Lake, Upper 4 mi · Oregon Lake, Middle 8 mi · Hoodoo Lake 14 mi · Crystal Lake (Mineral) 15 mi · Hidden Lake (Mineral) 17 mi · French Lake 17 mi · Pearl Lake 17 mi · Trio Lakes 18 mi · Crater Lake 21 mi
See how Diamond Lake (Mineral) stacks up: best smallmouth bass lakes in Montana · best walleye lakes in Montana · best northern pike lakes in Montana · best crappie lakes in Montana
More water nearby: Mineral County fishing maps (19 charts). Browse all Montana 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.