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253-acre lake in Nipissing District, Ontario. The lake tops out around 40 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 1970, a decades-old survey (a transect sounding survey). Species by species, here's what the data says the year looks like.
On the chart, Little McDougal Lake draws 254 acres inside 3.6 miles of shoreline. The shoreline is moderately structured (index 1.6) — enough points and pockets to pattern. About 39% of the surface sits shallower than 15 ft — that's the weed-and-bait zone. Figure 1.1 mi of water from one end to the other, 0.7 mi at the beam. You'll find it in Nipissing District. Closest neighbour on DepthScout: McAuslan L. 118, 1 mi northwest of here.
These fish are listed in an exact-water agency record as forage or ecological context. They are not target-species profiles and do not affect DepthScout's Prime, Good, or Fair spot ratings.
Official Ontario MNRF Fish ON-Line record. The listing documents source-recorded presence, not present abundance or guaranteed catchability.
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. Break off the point is the standout, a drop-off at roughly 25 ft, rated prime for summer 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 (9 ft) | Small inline spinner (gold), Tiny spoon |
| Summer | 10 to 30 ft | dawn & dusk | Break off the point (25 ft) | Small spoon fished deep, Trolled lake-clear wobbler + worm |
| Fall | 2 to 15 ft | midday & dawn | Main-lake point (9 ft) | Small spoon (orange), Spinner |
| Winter | 3 to 20 ft | dawn | Back-bay flat (6 ft) | Small jigging spoon, Tungsten jig + plastic |
Spring puts lake trout in skinny water — 10 to 40 ft is the zone. Summer fish stay in 12 to 40 ft, and winter fish hold in 10 to 40 ft. Deep basin is the standout, a deep basin at roughly 40 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 (9 ft) | Casting spoon over shoals, Jerkbait (shallow) |
| Summer | 12 to 40 ft chart-limited; documented 50 to 120 ft | dawn | Deep basin (40 ft) | White tube jig (deep), Magnum spoon on downrigger |
| Fall | 8 to 40 ft chart-limited; documented 10 to 50 ft | dusk & dawn | Main-lake point (9 ft) | Heavy casting spoon, Jigging rap over reefs |
| Winter | 10 to 40 ft chart-limited; documented 20 to 80 ft | dawn | Deep basin (40 ft) | White tube jig, Airplane jig |
Spring puts rainbow trout in skinny water — 5 to 20 ft is the zone. As the season builds they drop to 8 to 30 ft, wintering in 8 to 40 ft. Winter rainbow trout concentrate at Break off the point, a prime-rated drop-off around 25 ft. Warm-month bites cluster around early morning and the evening. A dodger + spoon (deep troll) or a flutter spoon covers the summer program.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Start at | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 5 to 20 ft | dawn & dusk | Main-lake point (9 ft) | Inline spinner (silver), Small spoon |
| Summer | 8 to 30 ft | dawn & dusk | Break off the point (25 ft) | Dodger + spoon (deep troll), Flutter spoon |
| Fall | 10 to 35 ft | dawn & dusk | Main-lake point (9 ft) | Casting spoon, Jerkbait over shoals |
| Winter | 8 to 40 ft | dawn | Break off the point (25 ft) | Jigging spoon, Tube jig (white) |
Come spring, look for yellow perch tight to the bank in 3 to 12 ft. They move out to 10 to 30 ft in summer and finish the year down in 15 to 35 ft. If you only fish one area, make it Back-bay flat: a weed flat around 6 ft that scores prime in spring. Best bite is early morning. A drop-shot micro plastics or a small spoon tipped with worm is the honest summer answer here.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Start at | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 3 to 12 ft | midday & dawn | Back-bay flat (6 ft) | Small jig + curly tail, Perch-pattern micro crank |
| Summer | 10 to 30 ft | dawn | Break off the point (25 ft) | Drop-shot micro plastics, Small spoon tipped with worm |
| Fall | 12 to 35 ft | midday | Break off the point (25 ft) | Jigging spoon (small), Perch rig / spreader |
| Winter | 15 to 35 ft | midday & dawn | Deep basin (40 ft) | Tungsten jig + spikes, Rattle spoon (small) |
In spring, splake run shallow here, mostly 5 to 25 ft. Midsummer fish sit out in 12 to 40 ft before dropping to 9 to 40 ft for winter. Summer splake concentrate at Break off the point, a prime-rated drop-off around 25 ft. Fish it in early morning and the evening and you'll meet the bite. You won't need more than a trolled spoon at the thermocline or a white tube jig (deep) 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 | 5 to 25 ft | dawn & dusk | Main-lake point (9 ft) | Small casting spoon (gold/orange), Inline spinner |
| Summer | 12 to 40 ft chart-limited; documented 25 to 60 ft | dawn & dusk | Break off the point (25 ft) | Trolled spoon at the thermocline, White tube jig (deep) |
| Fall | 10 to 35 ft | dawn & dusk | Main-lake point (9 ft) | Casting spoon, Jerkbait |
| Winter | 9 to 40 ft chart-limited; documented 10 to 45 ft | dawn | Break off the point (25 ft) | Jigging spoon tipped with minnow head, Small white tube |
Structure-wise the chart holds 6 features, led in depth by Deep basin at roughly 40 ft.
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 McDougal Lake specifically, so confirm the current rules before you fish.
Check the official Ontario fishing regulations →
Little McDougal Lake is about 40 ft (12 m) deep at its deepest point. The depth data here comes from the Ontario MNRF survey of 1970, a decades-old survey (a transect sounding survey).
Anglers target brook trout, lake trout, rainbow trout, yellow perch, splake on Little McDougal Lake.
Deep basin is the top-rated area: a deep basin in about 40 ft of water that rates prime for lake trout in summer. Open the map above to see every rated spot for each 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 Little McDougal 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.
McAuslan L. 118 1 mi · Wyse Lake 1 mi · Big McDougal Lake 1 mi · Threetrails Lake 2 mi · Norway Lake 2 mi · Pine Lake 2 mi · Dymond Lake 2 mi · Garrow Lake 2 mi · Spring Lake 3 mi · Cut Lake 3 mi · Camp Lake 3 mi · Biber Lake 3 mi
See how Little McDougal Lake stacks up: best rainbow trout lakes in Ontario · best yellow perch lakes in Ontario · best lake trout lakes in Ontario · best brook trout lakes in Ontario
More water nearby: Nipissing District fishing maps (683 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.