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Rating depth structure for kokanee.
Recent public catches load as you reach this section.
571-acre lake near Elkwater. The lake tops out around 27 ft. The depth chart comes from Alberta Geological Survey bathymetric survey data, so the contours are survey-derived rather than computer-modeled. Every species below gets its seasonal read from the same numbers driving the chart.
Drawn out, this is 570 acres of water rimmed by 8.2 miles of bank. With a shoreline index of 2.5, this water is all arms and coves — edge habitat well beyond its acreage. 70% of the surface is littoral (under ~15 ft) — cover, weeds and forage water. Figure 2.4 mi of water from one end to the other, 1.4 mi at the beam. You'll find it in Division No. 1. Closest neighbour on DepthScout: Loch Leven Lake, 36 mi east of here.
The spring pattern is a shallow one: kokanee in 8 to 27 ft. The depth story barely changes: 8 to 27 ft through summer, 7 to 27 ft in winter. Top water on the chart: Deep basin, a deep basin in the 27 ft range, prime in spring. Time it for early morning. Summer baits: a dodger + pink/orange squid on downrigger or a kokanee bug + corn 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 | 8 to 27 ft chart-limited; documented 10 to 30 ft | dawn | Deep basin (27 ft) | Small dodger + squid (pink), Wedding-ring spinner + corn |
| Summer | 8 to 27 ft chart-limited; documented 30 to 70 ft | dawn | Deep basin (27 ft) | Dodger + pink/orange squid on downrigger, Kokanee bug + corn |
| Fall | 3 to 27 ft chart-limited; documented 5 to 40 ft | dawn | Deep basin (27 ft) | Dodger + squid (deeper red/purple), Small spoon |
| Winter | 7 to 27 ft chart-limited; documented 20 to 80 ft | dawn | Deep basin (27 ft) | Small glow jig + corn or maggot, Tiny spoon |
In spring, northern pike run shallow here, mostly 2 to 8 ft. Midsummer fish sit out in 8 to 20 ft before dropping to 5 to 15 ft for winter. Spring northern pike concentrate at Shallow bay flat, a prime-rated weed flat around 2 ft. Fish it in early morning and the evening and you'll meet the bite. 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 | Shallow bay flat (2 ft) | #5 inline spinner, Spoon (red/white) |
| Summer | 8 to 20 ft | dawn & dusk | Break off the point (14 ft) | Bucktail, Weedless spoon over cabbage |
| Fall | 6 to 18 ft | midday & dawn | Break off the point (14 ft) | Big rubber (Bull Dawg style), Husky-style jerkbait |
| Winter | 5 to 15 ft | midday | Shallow bay flat (2 ft) | Tip-ups, Large jigging spoon |
Spring walleye on Elkwater Lake hold shallow, usually 4 to 15 ft. By summer they slide out to 8 to 27 ft, and by winter most fish are in 8 to 27 ft. The chart's best answer is Break off the point — drop-off, 14 ft, prime for fall. Prime time lands in 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 (4 ft) | 1/8 oz jig + minnow, Hair jig |
| Summer | 8 to 27 ft chart-limited; documented 15 to 35 ft | dusk & dawn | Break off the point (14 ft) | Crawler harness on bottom bouncer, Deep crankbait (trolled) |
| Fall | 8 to 27 ft chart-limited; documented 12 to 40 ft | dusk & night | Break off the point (14 ft) | Jigging rap, Jig + big minnow |
| Winter | 8 to 27 ft chart-limited; documented 20 to 40 ft | dusk & dawn | Deep basin (27 ft) | Jigging spoon + minnow head, Rattle bait |
Early season yellow perch use the shallows, holding in 3 to 12 ft. Summer is an 8 to 27 ft game here, winter an 8 to 27 ft one. The chart's best answer is Deep basin — deep basin, 27 ft, prime for fall. Best bite is 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 | Shallow bay flat (2 ft) | Small jig + curly tail, Perch-pattern micro crank |
| Summer | 8 to 27 ft chart-limited; documented 10 to 30 ft | dawn | Deep basin (27 ft) | Drop-shot micro plastics, Small spoon tipped with worm |
| Fall | 8 to 27 ft chart-limited; documented 12 to 35 ft | midday | Deep basin (27 ft) | Jigging spoon (small), Perch rig / spreader |
| Winter | 8 to 27 ft chart-limited; documented 15 to 35 ft | midday & dawn | Deep basin (27 ft) | Tungsten jig + spikes, Rattle spoon (small) |
Structure-wise the chart holds 7 features, led in depth by Deep basin at roughly 27 ft.
Access data: OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL) — community-mapped launches. Confirm conditions and fees locally before you launch.
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 Elkwater Lake specifically, so confirm the current rules before you fish.
Check the official Alberta fishing regulations →
Elkwater Lake is about 27 ft (8 m) deep at its deepest point. The depth chart comes from Alberta Geological Survey bathymetric survey data, so the contours are survey-derived rather than computer-modeled.
Anglers target kokanee, northern pike, walleye, yellow perch on Elkwater Lake.
Deep basin is the top-rated area: a deep basin in about 27 ft of water that rates prime for kokanee in spring. Every other rated spot, per species and season, is on the map above.
For kokanee, 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 Elkwater 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.
Loch Leven Lake 36 mi, SK · Harris Reservoir 37 mi, SK · Blacker Lake 40 mi, SK · Junction Reservoir 40 mi, SK · Cypress Lake 40 mi, SK · BR0045 Reservoir 69 mi, MT · Anita Reservoir 69 mi, MT · Bailey Reservoir 83 mi, MT · Chin Lakes 86 mi · Antelope Lake 94 mi, SK · Tiber Reservoir 99 mi, MT · Reid Lake 99 mi, SK
See how Elkwater Lake stacks up: best walleye lakes in Alberta · best northern pike lakes in Alberta · best yellow perch lakes in Alberta
Browse all Alberta fishing maps. See every water on DepthScout. Depth data: Alberta Geological Survey, Lake bathymetry. 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.