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804-acre lake in Algoma District, Ontario. The lake tops out around 144 ft. The depth data here comes from the Ontario MNRF survey of 1983 (a transect sounding survey). Below is the species-by-species picture, pulled from the same data the map uses.
On the chart, May Lake draws 807 acres inside 13.9 miles of shoreline, broken up by 7 islands. A development index of 3.5 means a maze of bays and points: far more casting targets than a round bowl of the same size. The shallow band under 15 ft claims about 15% of the surface — that's where the groceries are. Figure 2.2 mi of water from one end to the other, 1.7 mi at the beam. You'll find it in Algoma District. The nearest mapped water is Lizotte Lake, 1 mi to the northeast.
Spring puts lake trout in skinny water — 10 to 40 ft is the zone. Warm water sends them out to 50 to 120 ft; cold water stacks them in 20 to 80 ft. Main-lake point is the standout, a point at roughly 24 ft, rated prime for spring 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.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Start at | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 10 to 40 ft | dawn & dusk | Main-lake point (24 ft) | Casting spoon over shoals, Jerkbait (shallow) |
| Summer | 50 to 120 ft | dawn | Deep basin (144 ft) | White tube jig (deep), Magnum spoon on downrigger |
| Fall | 10 to 50 ft | dusk & dawn | Main-lake point (24 ft) | Heavy casting spoon, Jigging rap over reefs |
| Winter | 20 to 80 ft | dawn | Break off the point (11 ft) | White tube jig, Airplane jig |
Early season lake whitefish use the shallows, holding in 15 to 45 ft. Summer is a 40 to 90 ft game here, winter a 25 to 70 ft one. The chart's best answer is Feeding flat — feeding flat, 37 ft, prime for spring. Best bite is early morning. Tie on a blade bait vertical or a small jigging spoon and you're in the game.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Start at | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 15 to 45 ft | midday & dawn | Feeding flat (37 ft) | Small jig + waxworm, Blade bait (small) |
| Summer | 40 to 90 ft | dawn | Feeding flat (37 ft) | Blade bait vertical, Small jigging spoon |
| Fall | 8 to 30 ft | dusk | Break off the point (11 ft) | Small spoon (gold), Jig + plastic larva |
| Winter | 25 to 70 ft | midday & dawn | Feeding flat (37 ft) | Jigging spoon + bead chain, Tungsten jig + waxie |
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 Break off the point: a drop-off around 11 ft that scores prime in summer. 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 | Shallow bay flat (10 ft) | Small jig + curly tail, Perch-pattern micro crank |
| Summer | 10 to 30 ft | dawn | Break off the point (11 ft) | Drop-shot micro plastics, Small spoon tipped with worm |
| Fall | 12 to 35 ft | midday | Break off the point (11 ft) | Jigging spoon (small), Perch rig / spreader |
| Winter | 15 to 35 ft | midday & dawn | Deep basin (144 ft) | Tungsten jig + spikes, Rattle spoon (small) |
Early season pumpkinseed use the shallows, holding in 1 to 8 ft. Summer is a 2 to 10 ft game here, winter a 6 to 18 ft one. The chart's best answer is Back-bay flat — feeding flat, 4 ft, prime for spring. Best bite is the evening and early morning. Tie on a micro tube or a sponge spider (fly) and you're in the game.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Start at | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 1 to 8 ft | midday & dusk | Back-bay flat (4 ft) | Micro jig under a float, Tiny beetle-spin |
| Summer | 2 to 10 ft | dusk & dawn | Shallow bay flat (10 ft) | Micro tube, Sponge spider (fly) |
| Fall | 4 to 14 ft | dusk & dawn | Shallow bay flat (10 ft) | Micro jig + waxworm, Small spoon tipped |
| Winter | 6 to 18 ft | dawn | Shallow bay flat (10 ft) | Tungsten ice jig + plastic, Tiny spoon |
Spring puts burbot in skinny water — 25 to 70 ft is the zone. Warm water sends them out to 50 to 120 ft; cold water stacks them in 15 to 60 ft. Deep basin is the standout, a deep basin at roughly 144 ft, rated prime for summer burbot. Plan around after dark and midday in the warm months. A heavy jig + cut bait covers the summer program.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Start at | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 25 to 70 ft | night & dusk | Deep basin (144 ft) | Glow jigging spoon + cut bait, Rattle bait (dark) |
| Summer | 50 to 120 ft | night & midday | Deep basin (144 ft) | Heavy jig + cut bait |
| Fall | 30 to 80 ft | night & dusk | Deep basin (144 ft) | Glow spoon + minnow head, Blade bait (slow) |
| Winter | 15 to 60 ft | night & dusk | Break off the point (11 ft) | Glow tungsten + cut bait, Rattle spoon + minnow head |
7 pieces of structure are mapped here — Deep basin, around 144 ft, is the deepest of them.
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 May Lake specifically, so confirm the current rules before you fish.
Check the official Ontario fishing regulations →
May Lake is about 144 ft (44 m) deep at its deepest point. The depth data here comes from the Ontario MNRF survey of 1983 (a transect sounding survey).
Anglers target lake trout, lake whitefish, yellow perch, pumpkinseed, burbot on May Lake.
Break off the point is the top-rated area: a drop-off in about 11 ft of water that rates prime for yellow perch in summer. Scroll up to the map for the complete spot list by species and season.
For lake trout, 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 May 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.
Lizotte Lake 1 mi · Hough Lake 2 mi · Ouellette Lake 2 mi · Tees Lake 2 mi · Popeye Lake 3 mi · Vanhorn Lake 3 mi · Teasdale Lake 3 mi · Elephant Lake 3 mi · Flying Goose Lake 4 mi · Pardee Lake 4 mi · Pecors Lake 4 mi · McCabe Lake 4 mi
See how May Lake stacks up: best yellow perch lakes in Ontario · best lake trout lakes in Ontario · best lake whitefish lakes in Ontario · best burbot lakes in Ontario
More water nearby: Algoma District fishing maps (1026 charts). Browse all Ontario fishing maps or see every water on DepthScout. Bathymetry credit: state fisheries survey programs. 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.