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1,227-acre lake in Kenora District, Ontario. The lake tops out around 59 ft. The depth data here comes from the Ontario MNRF survey of 1997 (a transect sounding survey). Here's the year, species by species, as the scoring engine sees it.
On the chart, Grist Lake draws 1,233 acres inside 23.9 miles of shoreline — 12 islands included. With a shoreline index of 4.9, this water is all arms and coves — edge habitat well beyond its acreage. 35% of the surface is littoral (under ~15 ft) — cover, weeds and forage water. Tip to tip the water measures near 4.9 mi with a 1.7-mi widest point. The water lies in Kenora District. Closest neighbour on DepthScout: Cleveland Lake, 6 mi north of here.
Come spring, look for lake whitefish tight to the bank in 15 to 45 ft. Expect a summer slide to 18 to 59 ft, then a winter hold in 18 to 59 ft. Start at Deep basin. It's a deep basin holding about 59 ft of water and rates prime come summer. Prime time lands in early morning. A blade bait vertical or a small jigging spoon is the honest summer answer here.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Start at | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 15 to 45 ft | midday & dawn | Break off the point (38 ft) | Small jig + waxworm, Blade bait (small) |
| Summer | 18 to 59 ft | dawn | Deep basin (59 ft) | Blade bait vertical, Small jigging spoon |
| Fall | 8 to 30 ft | dusk | Secondary point (19 ft) | Small spoon (gold), Jig + plastic larva |
| Winter | 18 to 59 ft | midday & dawn | Deep basin (59 ft) | Jigging spoon + bead chain, Tungsten jig + waxie |
Spring walleye on Grist Lake hold shallow, usually 4 to 15 ft. They move out to 15 to 35 ft in summer and finish the year down in 20 to 40 ft. Put Break off the point first on the milk run — a drop-off near 38 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).
| Season | Depth | Best window | Start at | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 4 to 15 ft | dusk & dawn | Main-lake point (7 ft) | 1/8 oz jig + minnow, Hair jig |
| Summer | 15 to 35 ft | dusk & dawn | Secondary point (19 ft) | Crawler harness on bottom bouncer, Deep crankbait (trolled) |
| Fall | 12 to 40 ft | dusk & night | Break off the point (38 ft) | Jigging rap, Jig + big minnow |
| Winter | 20 to 40 ft | dusk & dawn | Break off the point (38 ft) | Jigging spoon + minnow head, Rattle bait |
Early season yellow perch use the shallows, holding in 3 to 12 ft. Expect a summer slide to 10 to 30 ft, then a winter hold in 15 to 35 ft. Put Shallow bay flat first on the milk run — a weed flat near 5 ft that grades prime for spring. 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.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Start at | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 3 to 12 ft | midday & dawn | Shallow bay flat (5 ft) | Small jig + curly tail, Perch-pattern micro crank |
| Summer | 10 to 30 ft | dawn | Shallow feeding flat (20 ft) | Drop-shot micro plastics, Small spoon tipped with worm |
| Fall | 12 to 35 ft | midday | Break off the point (38 ft) | Jigging spoon (small), Perch rig / spreader |
| Winter | 15 to 35 ft | midday & dawn | Shallow feeding flat (20 ft) | Tungsten jig + spikes, Rattle spoon (small) |
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. Shallow bay flat is the standout, a weed flat at roughly 5 ft, rated prime for spring 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 | Shallow bay flat (5 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 | Shallow bay flat (5 ft) | Big rubber (Bull Dawg style), Husky-style jerkbait |
| Winter | 5 to 15 ft | midday | Shallow bay flat (5 ft) | Tip-ups, Large jigging spoon |
The spring pattern is a shallow one: burbot in 18 to 59 ft. The depth story barely changes: 18 to 59 ft through summer, 15 to 59 ft in winter. Top water on the chart: Deep basin, a deep basin in the 59 ft range, prime in spring. Time it for after dark and midday. Summer baits: a heavy jig + cut bait gets it done.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Start at | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 18 to 59 ft | night & dusk | Deep basin (59 ft) | Glow jigging spoon + cut bait, Rattle bait (dark) |
| Summer | 18 to 59 ft | night & midday | Deep basin (59 ft) | Heavy jig + cut bait |
| Fall | 18 to 59 ft | night & dusk | Deep basin (59 ft) | Glow spoon + minnow head, Blade bait (slow) |
| Winter | 15 to 59 ft | night & dusk | Deep basin (59 ft) | Glow tungsten + cut bait, Rattle spoon + minnow head |
Count 8 structure marks on this chart. The deepest, Deep basin, sits near 59 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 Grist Lake specifically, so confirm the current rules before you fish.
Check the official Ontario fishing regulations →
Grist Lake is about 59 ft (18 m) deep at its deepest point. The depth data here comes from the Ontario MNRF survey of 1997 (a transect sounding survey).
Anglers target lake whitefish, walleye, yellow perch, northern pike, burbot on Grist Lake.
Deep basin is the top-rated area: a deep basin in about 59 ft of water that rates prime for lake whitefish in summer. The map above holds the full rated-spot list for every species and season.
For lake whitefish, 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 Grist 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.
Cleveland Lake 6 mi · McInnes Lake 9 mi · Critchell Lake 11 mi · Unnamed Lake 14 mi · Culverson Lake 15 mi · Barton Lake 16 mi · Old Shoes Lake 16 mi · Meddick Lake 17 mi · Bullock Lake 18 mi · Apps Lake 20 mi · Warwick Lake 20 mi · Hanging Lake 21 mi
See how Grist Lake stacks up: best walleye lakes in Ontario · best northern pike lakes in Ontario · best yellow perch lakes in Ontario · best lake whitefish lakes in Ontario
More water nearby: Kenora District fishing maps (1173 charts). Browse all Ontario fishing maps or see every water on DepthScout. Bathymetry credit: state fisheries survey programs. 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.