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253-acre lake in Kenora District, Ontario. The lake tops out around 56 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 1980 (an MNRF lake survey). The season-by-season read for each species follows, from the map's own numbers.
Drum Lake maps at 258 acres behind 8.4 miles of shoreline. An index of 3.7 puts the bank firmly in maze territory: point after pocket after cove, every one a casting target. 89% of the surface is littoral (under ~15 ft) — cover, weeds and forage water. End to end it runs roughly 1.8 mi, about 0.6 mi across. It sits in Kenora District. If the bite dies, Osprey Lake is 2 mi to the south.
In spring, walleye run shallow here, mostly 4 to 15 ft. Midsummer fish sit out in 15 to 35 ft before dropping to 20 to 40 ft for winter. Winter walleye concentrate at Deep basin, a prime-rated deep basin around 43 ft. Fish it in the evening and early morning and you'll meet the bite. You won't need more than a crawler harness on bottom bouncer or a deep crankbait (trolled) most summer days.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Start at | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 4 to 15 ft | dusk & dawn | Main-lake point (1 ft) | 1/8 oz jig + minnow, Hair jig |
| Summer | 15 to 35 ft | dusk & dawn | open water | Crawler harness on bottom bouncer, Deep crankbait (trolled) |
| Fall | 12 to 40 ft | dusk & night | Deep basin (43 ft) | Jigging rap, Jig + big minnow |
| Winter | 20 to 40 ft | dusk & dawn | Deep basin (43 ft) | Jigging spoon + minnow head, Rattle bait |
The spring pattern is a shallow one: yellow perch in 3 to 12 ft. Midsummer fish sit out in 10 to 30 ft before dropping to 15 to 35 ft for winter. The spot to know is Back-bay flat, a weed flat in about 3 ft of water that rates prime for yellow perch in spring. Plan around early morning in the warm months. Summer baits: a drop-shot micro plastics or a small spoon tipped with worm gets it done.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Start at | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 3 to 12 ft | midday & dawn | Back-bay flat (3 ft) | Small jig + curly tail, Perch-pattern micro crank |
| Summer | 10 to 30 ft | dawn | Back-bay flat (3 ft) | Drop-shot micro plastics, Small spoon tipped with worm |
| Fall | 12 to 35 ft | midday | Deep basin (43 ft) | Jigging spoon (small), Perch rig / spreader |
| Winter | 15 to 35 ft | midday & dawn | Deep basin (43 ft) | Tungsten jig + spikes, Rattle spoon (small) |
When the water first warms, northern pike slide up into 2 to 8 ft. Summer is an 8 to 20 ft game here, winter a 5 to 15 ft one. Start at Back-bay flat. It's a weed flat holding about 3 ft of water and rates prime come spring. The feeding windows run early morning and the evening. Keep a bucktail or a weedless spoon over cabbage rigged through the warm months.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Start at | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 2 to 8 ft | midday & dawn | Back-bay flat (3 ft) | #5 inline spinner, Spoon (red/white) |
| Summer | 8 to 20 ft | dawn & dusk | Back-bay flat (3 ft) | Bucktail, Weedless spoon over cabbage |
| Fall | 6 to 18 ft | midday & dawn | Back-bay flat (3 ft) | Big rubber (Bull Dawg style), Husky-style jerkbait |
| Winter | 5 to 15 ft | midday | Back-bay flat (3 ft) | Tip-ups, Large jigging spoon |
When the water first warms, burbot slide up into 17 to 56 ft. There's no big seasonal slide here — summer means 17 to 56 ft, winter 14 to 56 ft. If you only fish one area, make it Deep basin: a deep basin around 43 ft that scores prime in spring. In summer the feeding windows fall in after dark and midday. Keep a heavy jig + cut bait rigged through the warm months.
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 | 17 to 56 ft chart-limited; documented 25 to 70 ft | night & dusk | Deep basin (43 ft) | Glow jigging spoon + cut bait, Rattle bait (dark) |
| Summer | 17 to 56 ft chart-limited; documented 50 to 120 ft | night & midday | Deep basin (43 ft) | Heavy jig + cut bait |
| Fall | 17 to 56 ft chart-limited; documented 30 to 80 ft | night & dusk | Deep basin (43 ft) | Glow spoon + minnow head, Blade bait (slow) |
| Winter | 14 to 56 ft chart-limited; documented 15 to 60 ft | night & dusk | Deep basin (43 ft) | Glow tungsten + cut bait, Rattle spoon + minnow head |
Structure-wise the chart holds 6 features, led in depth by Deep basin at roughly 43 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 Drum Lake specifically, so confirm the current rules before you fish.
Check the official Ontario fishing regulations →
Drum Lake is about 56 ft (17 m) deep at its deepest point. The depth data here comes from the Ontario MNRF survey of 1980 (an MNRF lake survey).
Anglers target walleye, yellow perch, northern pike, burbot on Drum Lake.
Back-bay flat is the top-rated area: a weed flat in about 3 ft of water that rates prime for yellow perch in spring. The map above holds the full rated-spot list for every species and season.
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 Drum 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.
Osprey Lake 2 mi · Bending Lake 2 mi · WE65-39, L. 2 mi · WE55-04, L. 3 mi · WE55-08, L. 3 mi · WE55-29, L. 3 mi · WE65-43, L. 3 mi · WE55-33, L. 4 mi · WE55-32, L. 4 mi · WE55-27, L. 4 mi · Sandbar Lake 4 mi · Beak Lake 4 mi
See how Drum Lake stacks up: best walleye lakes in Ontario · best northern pike lakes in Ontario · best yellow perch lakes in Ontario · best burbot lakes in Ontario
More water nearby: Kenora District fishing maps (1173 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.