Sign inSign up free Sign inSign up free Sign inSign up freeLake depth chart
Today's read
Rating depth structure for rainbow trout.
Recent public catches load as you reach this section.
36-acre lake in Comox Valley Regional District, British Columbia. The lake tops out around 59 ft. The contours come from a model of the real basin shape and its known max depth. Read them as probabilities, not soundings, and keep them out of navigation decisions. What the data behind the map says about each species, season by season:
Traced from the shoreline, Johnston Lake runs 36 acres with 1.4 miles of edge. The shoreline is moderately structured (index 1.7) — enough points and pockets to pattern. Littoral water — the productive band under ~15 ft — makes up 28% of this chart, as modeled. The basin spans about 0.3 mi end to end and 0.3 mi across at its widest. The water lies in Comox Valley Regional District. Closest neighbour on DepthScout: Panther Lake, 1 mi west of here.
In spring, rainbow trout run shallow here, mostly 5 to 20 ft. Midsummer fish sit out in 8 to 30 ft before dropping to 8 to 40 ft for winter. Winter rainbow trout concentrate at Break off the point, a prime-rated drop-off around 27 ft. Fish it in early morning and the evening and you'll meet the bite. You won't need more than a dodger + spoon (deep troll) or a flutter spoon most summer days.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Start at | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 5 to 20 ft | dawn & dusk | Main-lake point (15 ft) | Inline spinner (silver), Small spoon |
| Summer | 8 to 30 ft | dawn & dusk | Break off the point (27 ft) | Dodger + spoon (deep troll), Flutter spoon |
| Fall | 10 to 35 ft | dawn & dusk | Main-lake point (15 ft) | Casting spoon, Jerkbait over shoals |
| Winter | 8 to 40 ft | dawn | Break off the point (27 ft) | Jigging spoon, Tube jig (white) |
Johnston Lake carries 4 mapped structure features, topping out (or rather bottoming out) at Deep basin, about 50 ft down.
Season dates, license requirements, and size and bag limits for British Columbia waters are set by the BC freshwater fishing synopsis — and special regulations can apply to Johnston Lake specifically, so confirm the current rules before you fish.
Check the official British Columbia fishing regulations →
Johnston Lake is about 59 ft (18 m) deep at its deepest point. The contours here are modeled from the water's real shape and maximum depth, so treat them as a rough guide.
Anglers target rainbow trout on Johnston Lake.
Break off the point is the top-rated area: a drop-off in about 27 ft of water that rates prime for rainbow trout in winter. Scroll up to the map for the complete spot list by species and season.
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 Johnston Lake is regulated by the BC freshwater fishing synopsis. Check the official British Columbia regulations for current license requirements, season dates, and size and bag limits — special regulations can apply to this specific water.
Panther Lake 1 mi · Netuts Lake 1 mi · Lake Beautiful 1 mi · Croteau Lake 1 mi · Mariwood Lake 1 mi · Douglas Lake 2 mi · Kwai Lake 2 mi · Pearse Lake 2 mi · Lady Lake 2 mi · Mckenzie Lake 2 mi · Lake Helen Mackenzie 2 mi · Battleship Lake 3 mi
See how Johnston Lake stacks up: best rainbow trout lakes in British Columbia
More water nearby: Comox Valley Regional District fishing maps (30 charts). Browse all British Columbia fishing maps or see every water on DepthScout. 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.