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193-acre lake in Thunder Bay District, Ontario. The lake tops out around 26 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 a transect sounding survey by the Ontario MNRF. What the data behind the map says about each species, season by season:
On the chart, Little Dog Lake draws 194 acres inside 4.5 miles of shoreline — 2 islands included. The 2.3 development index tells the story — a convoluted bank whose fishable edge far outruns the acreage. 98% of the surface is littoral (under ~15 ft) — cover, weeds and forage water. Figure 1.4 mi of water from one end to the other, 0.5 mi at the beam. You'll find it in Thunder Bay District. The nearest mapped water is Hawkeye Lake, 6 mi to the east.
Come spring, look for lake whitefish tight to the bank in 8 to 26 ft. Through summer count on 8 to 26 ft; the winter hold is 8 to 26 ft. If you only fish one area, make it Deep basin: a deep basin around 19 ft that scores prime in summer. Best bite is early morning. A blade bait vertical or a small jigging spoon 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 | 8 to 26 ft chart-limited; documented 15 to 45 ft | midday & dawn | Break off the point (12 ft) | Small jig + waxworm, Blade bait (small) |
| Summer | 8 to 26 ft chart-limited; documented 40 to 90 ft | dawn | Deep basin (19 ft) | Blade bait vertical, Small jigging spoon |
| Fall | 7 to 26 ft chart-limited; documented 8 to 30 ft | dusk | Break off the point (12 ft) | Small spoon (gold), Jig + plastic larva |
| Winter | 8 to 26 ft chart-limited; documented 25 to 70 ft | midday & dawn | Deep basin (19 ft) | Jigging spoon + bead chain, Tungsten jig + waxie |
Spring walleye on Little Dog Lake hold shallow, usually 4 to 15 ft. By summer they slide out to 8 to 26 ft, and by winter most fish are in 8 to 26 ft. The chart's best answer is Break off the point — drop-off, 12 ft, prime for fall. Prime time lands in the evening and early morning. The summer box starts with a crawler harness on bottom bouncer or a deep crankbait (trolled).
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 | 4 to 15 ft | dusk & dawn | Main-lake point (5 ft) | 1/8 oz jig + minnow, Hair jig |
| Summer | 8 to 26 ft chart-limited; documented 15 to 35 ft | dusk & dawn | Break off the point (12 ft) | Crawler harness on bottom bouncer, Deep crankbait (trolled) |
| Fall | 8 to 26 ft chart-limited; documented 12 to 40 ft | dusk & night | Break off the point (12 ft) | Jigging rap, Jig + big minnow |
| Winter | 8 to 26 ft chart-limited; documented 20 to 40 ft | dusk & dawn | Deep basin (19 ft) | Jigging spoon + minnow head, Rattle bait |
In spring, northern pike run shallow here, mostly 2 to 8 ft. Midsummer fish sit out in 8 to 20 ft before dropping to 5 to 15 ft for winter. Spring northern pike concentrate at Shallow bay flat, a prime-rated weed flat around 2 ft. Fish it in early morning and the evening and you'll meet the bite. 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 (2 ft) | #5 inline spinner, Spoon (red/white) |
| Summer | 8 to 20 ft | dawn & dusk | Break off the point (12 ft) | Bucktail, Weedless spoon over cabbage |
| Fall | 6 to 18 ft | midday & dawn | Break off the point (12 ft) | Big rubber (Bull Dawg style), Husky-style jerkbait |
| Winter | 5 to 15 ft | midday | Back-bay flat (3 ft) | Tip-ups, Large jigging spoon |
In spring, smallmouth bass run shallow here, mostly 3 to 12 ft. Midsummer fish sit out in 8 to 26 ft before dropping to 8 to 26 ft for winter. Winter smallmouth bass concentrate at Break off the point, a prime-rated drop-off around 12 ft. Fish it in early morning and the evening and you'll meet the bite. You won't need more than a drop shot (goby/minnow) or a ned rig most summer days.
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 | 3 to 12 ft | dawn & dusk | Main-lake point (5 ft) | Ned rig, Tube jig |
| Summer | 8 to 26 ft chart-limited; documented 10 to 30 ft | dawn & dusk | Break off the point (12 ft) | Drop shot (goby/minnow), Ned rig |
| Fall | 8 to 25 ft | midday & dawn | Break off the point (12 ft) | Jerkbait, Blade bait |
| Winter | 8 to 26 ft chart-limited; documented 20 to 45 ft | midday | Break off the point (12 ft) | Blade bait, Hair jig |
The spring pattern is a shallow one: burbot in 8 to 26 ft. The depth story barely changes: 8 to 26 ft through summer, 7 to 26 ft in winter. The spot to know is Deep basin, a deep basin in about 19 ft of water that rates prime for burbot in spring. Plan around after dark and midday in the warm months. Summer baits: a heavy jig + cut bait gets it done.
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 | 8 to 26 ft chart-limited; documented 25 to 70 ft | night & dusk | Deep basin (19 ft) | Glow jigging spoon + cut bait, Rattle bait (dark) |
| Summer | 8 to 26 ft chart-limited; documented 50 to 120 ft | night & midday | Deep basin (19 ft) | Heavy jig + cut bait |
| Fall | 8 to 26 ft chart-limited; documented 30 to 80 ft | night & dusk | Deep basin (19 ft) | Glow spoon + minnow head, Blade bait (slow) |
| Winter | 7 to 26 ft chart-limited; documented 15 to 60 ft | night & dusk | Deep basin (19 ft) | Glow tungsten + cut bait, Rattle spoon + minnow head |
6 pieces of structure are mapped here — Deep basin, around 19 ft, is the deepest of them.
Access data: Geospatial Ontario - Fishing Access Points; Government of Ontario - MNR Unpatented Crown Land Shoreline; Government of Ontario - MNR Unpatented Crown Land Shoreline. Confirm conditions and fees locally before you launch.
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 Little Dog Lake specifically, so confirm the current rules before you fish.
Check the official Ontario fishing regulations →
Little Dog Lake is about 26 ft (8 m) deep at its deepest point. The depth data here comes from a transect sounding survey by the Ontario MNRF.
Anglers target lake whitefish, walleye, northern pike, smallmouth bass, burbot on Little Dog Lake.
Deep basin is the top-rated area: a deep basin in about 19 ft of water that rates prime for lake whitefish in summer. The interactive chart above rates every spot for each 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 Little Dog 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.
Hawkeye Lake 6 mi · Greenhue Lake 8 mi · Wartman Lake 9 mi · Trout Lake 10 mi · Dog Lake 10 mi · Island Lake 10 mi · Two Island Lake 11 mi · Halfway Lake 12 mi · Surprise Lake 12 mi · Mary Lake 13 mi · Thunder Lake 13 mi · Hazelwood Lake 14 mi
See how Little Dog Lake stacks up: best smallmouth bass lakes in Ontario · best walleye lakes in Ontario · best northern pike lakes in Ontario · best lake whitefish 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.