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92-acre lake in Thunder Bay District, Ontario. The lake tops out around 85 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 1990 (an MNRF lake survey). Here's the year, species by species, as the scoring engine sees it.
On the chart, Esker Lake draws 91 acres inside 2.2 miles of shoreline. The shoreline is moderately structured (index 1.6) — enough points and pockets to pattern. 87% of the surface is littoral (under ~15 ft) — cover, weeds and forage water. End to end it runs roughly 0.9 mi, about 0.2 mi across. You'll find it in Thunder Bay District. For a second option, Cairngorm Lake lies 6 mi south.
In spring, brook trout run shallow here, mostly 2 to 15 ft. Summer pushes them deeper, 10 to 30 ft, and winter fish settle into 3 to 20 ft. Main-lake point is the standout, a point at roughly 1 ft, rated prime for spring brook trout. Time it for early morning and the evening. You won't need more than a small spoon fished deep or a trolled lake-clear wobbler + worm most summer days.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Start at | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 2 to 15 ft | dawn & dusk | Main-lake point (1 ft) | Small inline spinner (gold), Tiny spoon |
| Summer | 10 to 30 ft | dawn & dusk | Break off the point (1 ft) | Small spoon fished deep, Trolled lake-clear wobbler + worm |
| Fall | 2 to 15 ft | midday & dawn | Main-lake point (1 ft) | Small spoon (orange), Spinner |
| Winter | 3 to 20 ft | dawn | Break off the point (1 ft) | Small jigging spoon, Tungsten jig + plastic |
Spring puts lake trout in skinny water — 10 to 40 ft is the zone. Warm water sends them out to 26 to 85 ft; cold water stacks them in 20 to 80 ft. Deep basin is the standout, a deep basin at roughly 83 ft, rated prime for summer lake trout. Plan around early morning in the warm months. A white tube jig (deep) or a magnum spoon on downrigger covers the summer program.
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 | 10 to 40 ft | dawn & dusk | Main-lake point (1 ft) | Casting spoon over shoals, Jerkbait (shallow) |
| Summer | 26 to 85 ft chart-limited; documented 50 to 120 ft | dawn | Deep basin (83 ft) | White tube jig (deep), Magnum spoon on downrigger |
| Fall | 10 to 50 ft | dusk & dawn | Main-lake point (1 ft) | Heavy casting spoon, Jigging rap over reefs |
| Winter | 20 to 80 ft | dawn | Deep basin (83 ft) | White tube jig, Airplane jig |
Come spring, look for walleye tight to the bank in 4 to 15 ft. Expect a summer slide to 15 to 35 ft, then a winter hold in 20 to 40 ft. Start at Break off the point. It's a drop-off holding about 1 ft of water and rates good come fall. Prime time lands in the evening and early morning. A crawler harness on bottom bouncer or a deep crankbait (trolled) is the honest summer answer here.
| 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 | Break off the point (1 ft) | Jigging rap, Jig + big minnow |
| Winter | 20 to 40 ft | dusk & dawn | open water | Jigging spoon + minnow head, Rattle bait |
Structure-wise the chart holds 6 features, led in depth by Deep basin at roughly 83 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 Esker Lake specifically, so confirm the current rules before you fish.
Check the official Ontario fishing regulations →
Esker Lake is about 85 ft (26 m) deep at its deepest point. The depth data here comes from the Ontario MNRF survey of 1990 (an MNRF lake survey).
Anglers target brook trout, lake trout, walleye on Esker Lake.
Deep basin is the top-rated area: a deep basin in about 83 ft of water that rates prime for lake trout in summer. The map above holds the full rated-spot list for every species and season.
For brook trout, 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 Esker 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.
Cairngorm Lake 6 mi · Catlonite Lake 10 mi · Steel Lake 10 mi · Diablo Lake 12 mi · Campcot Lake 12 mi · Foxtrap Lake 13 mi · Craig Lake 13 mi · Found Lake 13 mi · Caragana Lake 13 mi · Fishnet Lake 14 mi · Santoy Lake 14 mi · Box Lake 14 mi
See how Esker Lake stacks up: best walleye lakes in Ontario · best lake trout lakes in Ontario · best brook trout 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.