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125-acre lake near Lake County. The lake tops out around 53 ft. The depth chart comes from Minnesota Department of Natural Resources bathymetric survey data, so the contours are survey-derived rather than computer-modeled. The depth data here comes from the Minnesota DNR survey of 1972, a decades-old survey (the DNR's original lake-survey map). The season-by-season read for each species follows, from the map's own numbers.
The outline encloses 125 acres, worked by 4.6 miles of shoreline. The 3 development index tells the story — a convoluted bank whose fishable edge far outruns the acreage. 95% of the surface is littoral (under ~15 ft) — cover, weeds and forage water. End to end it runs roughly 1.3 mi, about 0.5 mi across. It sits in Lake County. If the bite dies, Makwa is 1 mi to the southwest.
Come spring, look for northern pike tight to the bank in 2 to 8 ft. They move out to 8 to 20 ft in summer and finish the year down in 5 to 15 ft. If you only fish one area, make it Break off the point: a drop-off around 7 ft that scores prime in fall. Best bite is early morning and the evening. A bucktail or a weedless spoon over cabbage is the honest summer answer here.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Start at | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 2 to 8 ft | midday & dawn | Shallow bay flat (1 ft) | #5 inline spinner, Spoon (red/white) |
| Summer | 8 to 20 ft | dawn & dusk | Shallow feeding flat (20 ft) | Bucktail, Weedless spoon over cabbage |
| Fall | 6 to 18 ft | midday & dawn | Break off the point (7 ft) | Big rubber (Bull Dawg style), Husky-style jerkbait |
| Winter | 5 to 15 ft | midday | Break off the point (7 ft) | Tip-ups, Large jigging spoon |
Come spring, look for burbot tight to the bank in 16 to 53 ft. Through summer count on 16 to 53 ft; the winter hold is 13 to 53 ft. Start at Deep basin. It's a deep basin holding about 50 ft of water and rates prime come spring. Prime time lands in after dark and midday. A heavy jig + cut bait is the honest summer answer here.
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 | 16 to 53 ft chart-limited; documented 25 to 70 ft | night & dusk | Deep basin (50 ft) | Glow jigging spoon + cut bait, Rattle bait (dark) |
| Summer | 16 to 53 ft chart-limited; documented 50 to 120 ft | night & midday | Deep basin (50 ft) | Heavy jig + cut bait |
| Fall | 16 to 53 ft chart-limited; documented 30 to 80 ft | night & dusk | Deep basin (50 ft) | Glow spoon + minnow head, Blade bait (slow) |
| Winter | 13 to 53 ft chart-limited; documented 15 to 60 ft | night & dusk | Deep basin (50 ft) | Glow tungsten + cut bait, Rattle spoon + minnow head |
Structure-wise the chart holds 7 features, led in depth by Deep basin at roughly 50 ft.
Season dates, license requirements, and size and bag limits for Minnesota waters are set by the Minnesota DNR — and special regulations can apply to Elton specifically, so confirm the current rules before you fish.
Check the official Minnesota fishing regulations →
Elton is about 53 ft (16 m) deep at its deepest point. The depth data here comes from the Minnesota DNR survey of 1972, a decades-old survey (the DNR's original lake-survey map).
Anglers target northern pike, burbot on Elton.
Deep basin is the top-rated area: a deep basin in about 50 ft of water that rates prime for burbot in spring. Open the map above to see every rated 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 Elton is regulated by the Minnesota DNR. Check the official Minnesota regulations for current license requirements, season dates, and size and bag limits — special regulations can apply to this specific water.
Makwa 1 mi · Little Saganaga 2 mi · Rattle 3 mi · Gabimichigami 3 mi · Elm 4 mi · West Fern 4 mi · Ecstasy 4 mi · Peter 4 mi · Adams 4 mi · Mueller 5 mi · Powell 5 mi · Mora 5 mi
See how Elton stacks up: best northern pike lakes in Minnesota · best burbot lakes in Minnesota
More water nearby: Lake County fishing maps (313 charts). Browse all Minnesota 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.