Lake depth chart
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467-acre lake in Kenora District, Ontario. The lake tops out around 16 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 1978, a decades-old survey (an MNRF lake survey). Here is how the season plays out for each species, straight from the data behind the map.
Drawn out, this is 467 acres of water rimmed by 7.3 miles of bank, with a single island in the mix. A development index of 2.4 means a maze of bays and points: far more casting targets than a round bowl of the same size. Figure 1.5 mi of water from one end to the other, 0.9 mi at the beam. You'll find it in Kenora District. The nearest mapped water is Gibraltar Lake, 1 mi to the east.
Come spring, look for walleye tight to the bank in 4 to 15 ft. Expect a summer slide to 5 to 16 ft, then a winter hold in 5 to 16 ft. Start at Break off the point. It's a drop-off holding about 5 ft of water and rates prime come fall. Prime time lands in the evening and early morning. A crawler harness on bottom bouncer or a deep crankbait (trolled) 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 | 4 to 15 ft | dusk & dawn | Break off the point (5 ft) | 1/8 oz jig + minnow, Hair jig |
| Summer | 5 to 16 ft chart-limited; documented 15 to 35 ft | dusk & dawn | Break off the point (5 ft) | Crawler harness on bottom bouncer, Deep crankbait (trolled) |
| Fall | 5 to 16 ft chart-limited; documented 12 to 40 ft | dusk & night | Break off the point (5 ft) | Jigging rap, Jig + big minnow |
| Winter | 5 to 16 ft chart-limited; documented 20 to 40 ft | dusk & dawn | Deep basin (13 ft) | Jigging spoon + minnow head, Rattle bait |
Come spring, look for yellow perch tight to the bank in 3 to 12 ft. They move out to 5 to 16 ft in summer and finish the year down in 5 to 16 ft. If you only fish one area, make it Deep basin: a deep basin around 13 ft that scores prime in fall. Best bite is early morning. A drop-shot micro plastics or a small spoon tipped with worm 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 | 3 to 12 ft | midday & dawn | Shallow bay flat (1 ft) | Small jig + curly tail, Perch-pattern micro crank |
| Summer | 5 to 16 ft chart-limited; documented 10 to 30 ft | dawn | Deep basin (13 ft) | Drop-shot micro plastics, Small spoon tipped with worm |
| Fall | 5 to 16 ft chart-limited; documented 12 to 35 ft | midday | Deep basin (13 ft) | Jigging spoon (small), Perch rig / spreader |
| Winter | 5 to 16 ft chart-limited; documented 15 to 35 ft | midday & dawn | Deep basin (13 ft) | Tungsten jig + spikes, Rattle spoon (small) |
Start shallow in spring: northern pike sit in 2 to 8 ft that time of year. Warm water sends them out to 5 to 16 ft; cold water stacks them in 5 to 15 ft. Top water on the chart: Break off the point, a drop-off in the 5 ft range, prime in fall. Fish it in early morning and the evening and you'll meet the bite. Throw a bucktail or a weedless spoon over cabbage until the fish tell you otherwise.
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 | 2 to 8 ft | midday & dawn | Shallow bay flat (1 ft) | #5 inline spinner, Spoon (red/white) |
| Summer | 5 to 16 ft chart-limited; documented 8 to 20 ft | dawn & dusk | Break off the point (5 ft) | Bucktail, Weedless spoon over cabbage |
| Fall | 5 to 16 ft chart-limited; documented 6 to 18 ft | midday & dawn | Break off the point (5 ft) | Big rubber (Bull Dawg style), Husky-style jerkbait |
| Winter | 5 to 15 ft | midday | Break off the point (5 ft) | Tip-ups, Large jigging spoon |
Spring puts burbot in skinny water — 5 to 16 ft is the zone. Summer fish stay in 5 to 16 ft, and winter fish hold in 4 to 16 ft. Deep basin is the standout, a deep basin at roughly 13 ft, rated prime for spring burbot. Plan around after dark and midday in the warm months. A heavy jig + cut bait 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 | 5 to 16 ft chart-limited; documented 25 to 70 ft | night & dusk | Deep basin (13 ft) | Glow jigging spoon + cut bait, Rattle bait (dark) |
| Summer | 5 to 16 ft chart-limited; documented 50 to 120 ft | night & midday | Deep basin (13 ft) | Heavy jig + cut bait |
| Fall | 5 to 16 ft chart-limited; documented 30 to 80 ft | night & dusk | Deep basin (13 ft) | Glow spoon + minnow head, Blade bait (slow) |
| Winter | 4 to 16 ft chart-limited; documented 15 to 60 ft | night & dusk | Deep basin (13 ft) | Glow tungsten + cut bait, Rattle spoon + minnow head |
Malta Lake carries 6 mapped structure features, topping out (or rather bottoming out) at Deep basin, about 13 ft down.
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 Malta Lake specifically, so confirm the current rules before you fish.
Check the official Ontario fishing regulations →
Malta Lake is about 16 ft (5 m) deep at its deepest point. The depth data here comes from the Ontario MNRF survey of 1978, a decades-old survey (an MNRF lake survey).
Anglers target walleye, yellow perch, northern pike, burbot on Malta Lake.
Break off the point is the top-rated area: a drop-off in about 5 ft of water that rates prime for walleye in fall. Open the map above to see every rated spot for each species and season.
For walleye, the summer bite is best in the evening and 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 Malta 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.
Gibraltar Lake 1 mi · Ten Mile Lake 2 mi · Handcuff Lake 3 mi · Paris Lake 3 mi · Corsica Lake 3 mi · Divided Lake 4 mi · Dizzy Lake 5 mi · Graystone Lake 5 mi · Conver Lake 6 mi · Penassi Lake 7 mi · Jessie Lake 7 mi · Sahara Lake 7 mi
See how Malta Lake stacks up: best walleye lakes in Ontario · best northern pike lakes in Ontario · best yellow perch lakes in Ontario · best burbot lakes in Ontario
More water nearby: Kenora District fishing maps (1173 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.