Burbot fishing at Mackay Lake

Spring burbot on Mackay Lake hold shallow, usually 25 to 70 ft. They move out to 31 to 103 ft in summer and finish the year down in 15 to 60 ft. The spot to know is Deep basin, a deep basin in about 88 ft of water that rates prime for burbot in summer. Plan around after dark and midday in the warm months. Summer baits: a heavy jig + cut bait gets it done.

Cisco (Lake Herring) fishing at Mackay Lake

Spring cisco (lake herring) on Mackay Lake hold shallow, usually 10 to 40 ft. They move out to 40 to 80 ft in summer and finish the year down in 20 to 60 ft. If you only fish one area, make it Deep basin: a deep basin around 88 ft that scores prime in summer. In summer the feeding windows fall in early morning. A vertical flutter spoon (small) or a drop-shot micro plastic covers the summer program.

Lake Trout fishing at Mackay Lake

Spring lake trout on Mackay Lake hold shallow, usually 10 to 40 ft. By summer they slide out to 31 to 103 ft, and by winter most fish are in 20 to 80 ft. The spot to know is Deep basin, a deep basin in about 88 ft of water that rates prime for lake trout in summer. In summer the feeding windows fall in early morning. Summer baits: a white tube jig (deep) or a magnum spoon on downrigger gets it done.

Lake Whitefish fishing at Mackay Lake

Start shallow in spring: lake whitefish sit in 15 to 45 ft that time of year. Summer pushes them deeper, 40 to 90 ft, and winter fish settle into 25 to 70 ft. The spot to know is Deep basin, a deep basin in about 88 ft of water that rates prime for lake whitefish in summer. In summer the feeding windows fall in early morning. Tie on a blade bait vertical or a small jigging spoon and you're in the game.

Northern Pike fishing at Mackay Lake

Start shallow in spring: northern pike sit in 2 to 8 ft that time of year. By summer they slide out to 8 to 20 ft, and by winter most fish are in 5 to 15 ft. If you only fish one area, make it Shallow bay flat: a weed flat around 6 ft that scores prime in spring. In summer the feeding windows fall in early morning and the evening. A bucktail or a weedless spoon over cabbage covers the summer program.

Walleye fishing at Mackay Lake

In spring, walleye run shallow here, mostly 4 to 15 ft. By summer they slide out to 15 to 35 ft, and by winter most fish are in 20 to 40 ft. Main-lake point is the standout, a point at roughly 26 ft, rated prime for fall walleye. In summer the feeding windows fall in the evening and early morning. Tie on a crawler harness on bottom bouncer or a deep crankbait (trolled) and you're in the game.

How deep is Mackay Lake?

Mackay Lake is about 103 ft (31 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.

What fish are in Mackay Lake?

Anglers target walleye, northern pike, yellow perch, lake trout, lake whitefish, burbot, cisco (lake herring) on Mackay Lake.

Where is the best fishing spot on Mackay Lake?

Deep basin is the top-rated area: a deep basin in about 88 ft of water that rates prime for burbot in summer. Open the map above to see every rated spot for each species and season.

When is the best time to fish Mackay Lake?

For burbot, the summer bite is best in after dark and midday. Each species page section below lists the seasonal windows, and the map shows a live NOW badge when you're inside one.