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Rating depth structure for rainbow trout.
Recent public catches load as you reach this section.
10-acre lake in Cochrane District, Ontario. The lake tops out around 20 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 1986 (a transect sounding survey). Here's the year, species by species, as the scoring engine sees it.
On the chart, Howells L. 74 draws 10 acres inside 0.5 miles of shoreline. At index 1.1 the outline is almost a bowl — read the depth changes, not the shoreline. The water lies in Cochrane District. For a second option, Baker Lake lies 1 mi northeast.
Start shallow in spring: rainbow trout sit in 5 to 20 ft that time of year. They don't go far with the seasons — 5 to 20 ft covers summer, 4 to 20 ft covers winter. Top water on the chart: Shoreline break, a drop-off in the 9 ft range, prime in winter. Fish it in early morning and the evening and you'll meet the bite. Throw a dodger + spoon (deep troll) or a flutter spoon until the fish tell you otherwise.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Start at | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 5 to 20 ft | dawn & dusk | Shoreline break (9 ft) | Inline spinner (silver), Small spoon |
| Summer | 5 to 20 ft | dawn & dusk | Shoreline break (9 ft) | Dodger + spoon (deep troll), Flutter spoon |
| Fall | 6 to 20 ft | dawn & dusk | Shoreline break (9 ft) | Casting spoon, Jerkbait over shoals |
| Winter | 4 to 20 ft | dawn | Shoreline break (9 ft) | Jigging spoon, Tube jig (white) |
3 pieces of structure are mapped here — Deep basin, around 13 ft, is the deepest of them.
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 Howells L. 74 specifically, so confirm the current rules before you fish.
Check the official Ontario fishing regulations →
Howells L. 74 is about 20 ft (6 m) deep at its deepest point. The depth data here comes from the Ontario MNRF survey of 1986 (a transect sounding survey).
Anglers target rainbow trout on Howells L. 74.
Shoreline break is the top-rated area: a drop-off in about 9 ft of water that rates prime for rainbow trout in winter. Every other rated spot, per species and season, is on the map above.
For rainbow 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 Howells L. 74 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.
Baker Lake 1 mi · Fraserdale Lake 2 2 mi · Howells L. 92 2 mi · Howells No. 19 3 mi · Howells Lake 4 mi · Smith Lake 5 mi · Howells L. 6 5 mi · Overhill L. 5 mi · Nonigose Lake 8 mi · Clay Lake 10 mi · Gravel Pit L. 12 mi · Mowbray Lake 14 mi
See how Howells L. 74 stacks up: best rainbow trout lakes in Ontario
More water nearby: Cochrane District fishing maps (673 charts). Browse all Ontario fishing maps or 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.