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13-acre lake in Renfrew County, Ontario. The lake tops out around 26 ft. Depth here is modeled from the true shoreline and max depth rather than surveyed; use it to plan, not to navigate. Every species below gets its seasonal read from the same numbers driving the chart.
McCharles Lake maps at 12 acres behind 0.7 miles of shoreline. Its 1.4 shoreline index means few bank features; the contours below do the pattern work. The shallow band under 15 ft claims about 63% of the surface on the model — that's where the groceries are. Figure 0.3 mi of water from one end to the other. It sits in Renfrew County. Its nearest charted neighbour, Hutson Lake, is 2 mi to the south.
When the water first warms, brook trout slide up into 2 to 15 ft. By summer they slide out to 8 to 26 ft, and by winter most fish are in 3 to 20 ft. If you only fish one area, make it Deep basin: a deep basin around 22 ft that scores prime in summer. In summer the feeding windows fall in early morning and the evening. Keep a small spoon fished deep or a trolled lake-clear wobbler + worm rigged through the warm months.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Start at | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 2 to 15 ft | dawn & dusk | Main-lake point (8 ft) | Small inline spinner (gold), Tiny spoon |
| Summer | 8 to 26 ft | dawn & dusk | Deep basin (22 ft) | Small spoon fished deep, Trolled lake-clear wobbler + worm |
| Fall | 2 to 15 ft | midday & dawn | Main-lake point (8 ft) | Small spoon (orange), Spinner |
| Winter | 3 to 20 ft | dawn | Break off the point (12 ft) | Small jigging spoon, Tungsten jig + plastic |
Come spring, look for rainbow trout tight to the bank in 5 to 20 ft. Expect a summer slide to 7 to 26 ft, then a winter hold in 5 to 26 ft. Start at Break off the point. It's a drop-off holding about 12 ft of water and rates prime come winter. Prime time lands in early morning and the evening. A dodger + spoon (deep troll) or a flutter spoon is the honest summer answer here.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Start at | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 5 to 20 ft | dawn & dusk | Main-lake point (8 ft) | Inline spinner (silver), Small spoon |
| Summer | 7 to 26 ft | dawn & dusk | Break off the point (12 ft) | Dodger + spoon (deep troll), Flutter spoon |
| Fall | 7 to 26 ft | dawn & dusk | Main-lake point (8 ft) | Casting spoon, Jerkbait over shoals |
| Winter | 5 to 26 ft | dawn | Break off the point (12 ft) | Jigging spoon, Tube jig (white) |
Structure-wise the chart holds 3 features, led in depth by Deep basin at roughly 22 ft.
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 McCharles Lake specifically, so confirm the current rules before you fish.
Check the official Ontario fishing regulations →
McCharles Lake is about 26 ft (8 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.
Anglers target brook trout, rainbow trout on McCharles Lake.
Break off the point is the top-rated area: a drop-off in about 12 ft of water that rates prime for rainbow trout in winter. 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 McCharles 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.
Hutson Lake 2 mi · Centennial Lake 2 mi · Milty Lake 3 mi · Anna Lake 3 mi · Aird Lake 4 mi · Leatherroot Lake 4 mi · Montserrat Lake 4 mi · Morrow Lake 5 mi · Leclaire Lake 7 mi · Brue Lake 7 mi · Salmond Lake 7 mi · Steer Lake 7 mi
See how McCharles Lake stacks up: best rainbow trout lakes in Ontario · best brook trout lakes in Ontario
More water nearby: Renfrew County fishing maps (298 charts). Browse all Ontario fishing maps or see every water on DepthScout. 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.