Sign inSign up free Sign inSign up free Sign inSign up freeLake depth chart
Today's read
Rating depth structure for rainbow trout.
Recent public catches load as you reach this section.
553-acre lake in Bulkley-Nechako Regional District, British Columbia. The lake tops out around 48 ft. Bathymetry on this water is estimated from its real outline and maximum depth. Use it to shortlist water, then verify with your electronics — and never navigate by it. Here is how the season plays out for each species, straight from the data behind the map.
The outline encloses 553 acres, worked by 7.5 miles of shoreline, broken up by 2 islands. With a shoreline index of 2.3, this water is all arms and coves — edge habitat well beyond its acreage. 23% of the surface is littoral (under ~15 ft), per the model — cover, weeds and forage water. Figure 2.8 mi of water from one end to the other, 0.6 mi at the beam. It sits in Bulkley-Nechako Regional District. If the bite dies, Dennis Lake is 7 mi to the east.
Spring puts cutthroat trout in skinny water — 3 to 15 ft is the zone. Warm water sends them out to 10 to 35 ft; cold water stacks them in 10 to 40 ft. Break off the point is the standout, a drop-off at roughly 22 ft, rated prime for summer cutthroat trout. Plan around early morning and the evening in the warm months. A trolled spoon (small) or an inline spinner covers the summer program.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Start at | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 3 to 15 ft | dawn & dusk | Main-lake point (12 ft) | Inline spinner (silver/gold), Small spoon |
| Summer | 10 to 35 ft | dawn & dusk | Break off the point (22 ft) | Trolled spoon (small), Inline spinner |
| Fall | 5 to 25 ft | dawn & dusk | Main-lake point (12 ft) | Casting spoon, Inline spinner |
| Winter | 10 to 40 ft | dawn | Break off the point (22 ft) | Small jigging spoon, Marabou jig |
Early season rainbow trout use the shallows, holding in 5 to 20 ft. Expect a summer slide to 8 to 30 ft, then a winter hold in 8 to 40 ft. Put Break off the point first on the milk run — a drop-off near 22 ft that grades prime for winter. In summer the feeding windows fall in early morning and the evening. Tie on a dodger + spoon (deep troll) or a flutter spoon and you're in the game.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Start at | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 5 to 20 ft | dawn & dusk | Main-lake point (12 ft) | Inline spinner (silver), Small spoon |
| Summer | 8 to 30 ft | dawn & dusk | Break off the point (22 ft) | Dodger + spoon (deep troll), Flutter spoon |
| Fall | 10 to 35 ft | dawn & dusk | Main-lake point (12 ft) | Casting spoon, Jerkbait over shoals |
| Winter | 8 to 40 ft | dawn | Break off the point (22 ft) | Jigging spoon, Tube jig (white) |
Count 6 structure marks on this chart. The deepest, Deep basin, sits near 41 ft.
Season dates, license requirements, and size and bag limits for British Columbia waters are set by the BC freshwater fishing synopsis — and special regulations can apply to Mcdonell Lake specifically, so confirm the current rules before you fish.
Check the official British Columbia fishing regulations →
Mcdonell Lake is about 48 ft (15 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 cutthroat trout, rainbow trout on Mcdonell Lake.
Break off the point is the top-rated area: a drop-off in about 22 ft of water that rates prime for cutthroat trout in summer. The map above holds the full rated-spot list for every species and season.
For cutthroat 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 Mcdonell Lake is regulated by the BC freshwater fishing synopsis. Check the official British Columbia regulations for current license requirements, season dates, and size and bag limits — special regulations can apply to this specific water.
Dennis Lake 7 mi · Aldrich Lake 9 mi · Kitseguecla Lake 11 mi · Taltzen Lake 11 mi · Toboggan Lake 15 mi · Kathlyn Lake 16 mi · Bigelow Lake 17 mi · Seymour Lake 18 mi · Duckbill Lake 21 mi · Duckwing Lake 21 mi · Tyhee Lake 23 mi · Kleanza Lake 23 mi
See how Mcdonell Lake stacks up: best rainbow trout lakes in British Columbia · best cutthroat trout lakes in British Columbia
More water nearby: Bulkley-Nechako Regional District fishing maps (324 charts). Browse all British Columbia 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.