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19-acre lake in Renfrew County, Ontario. The lake tops out around 34 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 1976, a decades-old survey (a transect sounding survey). Here is how the season plays out for each species, straight from the data behind the map.
On the chart, McDonald Lake draws 19 acres inside 1.2 miles of shoreline. The shoreline is moderately structured (index 2) — enough points and pockets to pattern. 88% of the surface is littoral (under ~15 ft) — cover, weeds and forage water. Figure 0.4 mi of water from one end to the other, 0.2 mi at the beam. The water lies in Renfrew County. The nearest mapped water is Murphys Lake, 2 mi to the southwest.
Spring puts brook trout in skinny water — 2 to 15 ft is the zone. Warm water sends them out to 10 to 30 ft; cold water stacks them in 3 to 20 ft. Deep basin is the standout, a deep basin at roughly 28 ft, rated prime for summer brook trout. Plan around early morning and the evening in the warm months. A small spoon fished deep or a trolled lake-clear wobbler + worm covers the summer program.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Start at | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 2 to 15 ft | dawn & dusk | Main-lake point (2 ft) | Small inline spinner (gold), Tiny spoon |
| Summer | 10 to 30 ft | dawn & dusk | Deep basin (28 ft) | Small spoon fished deep, Trolled lake-clear wobbler + worm |
| Fall | 2 to 15 ft | midday & dawn | Main-lake point (2 ft) | Small spoon (orange), Spinner |
| Winter | 3 to 20 ft | dawn | Break off the point (2 ft) | Small jigging spoon, Tungsten jig + plastic |
Spring pumpkinseed on McDonald Lake hold shallow, usually 1 to 8 ft. By summer they slide out to 2 to 10 ft, and by winter most fish are in 6 to 18 ft. The chart's best answer is Shallow bay flat — weed flat, 3 ft, prime for spring. Prime time lands in the evening and early morning. The summer box starts with a micro tube or a sponge spider (fly).
| Season | Depth | Best window | Start at | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 1 to 8 ft | midday & dusk | Shallow bay flat (3 ft) | Micro jig under a float, Tiny beetle-spin |
| Summer | 2 to 10 ft | dusk & dawn | Shallow bay flat (3 ft) | Micro tube, Sponge spider (fly) |
| Fall | 4 to 14 ft | dusk & dawn | Shallow bay flat (3 ft) | Micro jig + waxworm, Small spoon tipped |
| Winter | 6 to 18 ft | dawn | Shallow bay flat (3 ft) | Tungsten ice jig + plastic, Tiny spoon |
4 pieces of structure are mapped here — Deep basin, around 28 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 McDonald Lake specifically, so confirm the current rules before you fish.
Check the official Ontario fishing regulations →
McDonald Lake is about 34 ft (10 m) deep at its deepest point. The depth data here comes from the Ontario MNRF survey of 1976, a decades-old survey (a transect sounding survey).
Anglers target brook trout, pumpkinseed on McDonald Lake.
Shallow bay flat is the top-rated area: a weed flat in about 3 ft of water that rates prime for pumpkinseed in spring. The interactive chart above rates every 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 McDonald 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.
Murphys Lake 2 mi · Island Lake 2 mi · Martineau Lake 2 mi · Couchain Lake 3 mi · Stringers Lake 3 mi · Jocko Lake 3 mi · Robitaille Lake 4 mi · Basin Lake 4 mi · Lafleur Lake 4 mi · Curriers Lake 5 mi · McGuire Lake 5 mi · Aylen Lake 5 mi
See how McDonald Lake stacks up: best brook trout lakes in Ontario · best pumpkinseed lakes in Ontario
More water nearby: Renfrew County fishing maps (298 charts). Browse all Ontario fishing maps or 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.