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16-acre lake in Missoula County, Montana. The lake tops out around 27 ft. The depth chart comes from published agency bathymetric survey data, so the contours are survey-derived rather than computer-modeled. Every species below gets its seasonal read from the same numbers driving the chart.
The outline encloses 16 acres, worked by 0.6 miles of shoreline. The basin is a simple one (shoreline index 1.1) — close to a bowl, so the structure on the chart matters more than the bank. The shallow band under 15 ft claims about 54% of the surface — that's where the groceries are. It sits in Missoula County. If the bite dies, Farmers Lake #6 is 1 mi to the southeast.
In spring, walleye run shallow here, mostly 4 to 15 ft. Midsummer fish sit out in 8 to 27 ft before dropping to 8 to 27 ft for winter. Fall walleye concentrate at Break off the point, a prime-rated drop-off around 26 ft. Fish it in the evening and early morning and you'll meet the bite. You won't need more than a crawler harness on bottom bouncer or a deep crankbait (trolled) most summer days.
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 | Main-lake point (14 ft) | 1/8 oz jig + minnow, Hair jig |
| Summer | 8 to 27 ft chart-limited; documented 15 to 35 ft | dusk & dawn | Break off the point (26 ft) | Crawler harness on bottom bouncer, Deep crankbait (trolled) |
| Fall | 8 to 27 ft chart-limited; documented 12 to 40 ft | dusk & night | Break off the point (26 ft) | Jigging rap, Jig + big minnow |
| Winter | 8 to 27 ft chart-limited; documented 20 to 40 ft | dusk & dawn | Deep basin (27 ft) | Jigging spoon + minnow head, Rattle bait |
When the water first warms, northern pike slide up into 2 to 8 ft. Summer is an 8 to 20 ft game here, winter a 5 to 15 ft one. Start at Main-lake point. It's a point holding about 14 ft of water and rates prime come fall. The feeding windows run early morning and the evening. Keep a bucktail or a weedless spoon over cabbage rigged through the warm months.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Start at | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 2 to 8 ft | midday & dawn | open water | #5 inline spinner, Spoon (red/white) |
| Summer | 8 to 20 ft | dawn & dusk | Main-lake point (14 ft) | Bucktail, Weedless spoon over cabbage |
| Fall | 6 to 18 ft | midday & dawn | Main-lake point (14 ft) | Big rubber (Bull Dawg style), Husky-style jerkbait |
| Winter | 5 to 15 ft | midday | Main-lake point (14 ft) | Tip-ups, Large jigging spoon |
The spring pattern is a shallow one: yellow perch in 3 to 12 ft. Midsummer fish sit out in 8 to 27 ft before dropping to 8 to 27 ft for winter. The spot to know is Deep basin, a deep basin in about 27 ft of water that rates prime for yellow perch in fall. Plan around early morning in the warm months. Summer baits: a drop-shot micro plastics or a small spoon tipped with worm gets it done.
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 | open water | Small jig + curly tail, Perch-pattern micro crank |
| Summer | 8 to 27 ft chart-limited; documented 10 to 30 ft | dawn | Deep basin (27 ft) | Drop-shot micro plastics, Small spoon tipped with worm |
| Fall | 8 to 27 ft chart-limited; documented 12 to 35 ft | midday | Deep basin (27 ft) | Jigging spoon (small), Perch rig / spreader |
| Winter | 8 to 27 ft chart-limited; documented 15 to 35 ft | midday & dawn | Deep basin (27 ft) | Tungsten jig + spikes, Rattle spoon (small) |
When the water first warms, smallmouth bass slide up into 3 to 12 ft. Summer is an 8 to 27 ft game here, winter an 8 to 27 ft one. Start at Main-lake point. It's a point holding about 14 ft of water and rates prime come fall. The feeding windows run early morning and the evening. Keep a drop shot (goby/minnow) or a ned rig rigged through the warm months.
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 | dawn & dusk | Main-lake point (14 ft) | Ned rig, Tube jig |
| Summer | 8 to 27 ft chart-limited; documented 10 to 30 ft | dawn & dusk | Break off the point (26 ft) | Drop shot (goby/minnow), Ned rig |
| Fall | 8 to 25 ft | midday & dawn | Main-lake point (14 ft) | Jerkbait, Blade bait |
| Winter | 8 to 27 ft chart-limited; documented 20 to 45 ft | midday | Break off the point (26 ft) | Blade bait, Hair jig |
Spring rainbow trout on McKinley Lake hold shallow, usually 5 to 20 ft. By summer they slide out to 7 to 27 ft, and by winter most fish are in 5 to 27 ft. The chart's best answer is Break off the point — drop-off, 26 ft, prime for winter. Prime time lands in early morning and the evening. The summer box starts with a dodger + spoon (deep troll) or a flutter spoon.
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 20 ft | dawn & dusk | Main-lake point (14 ft) | Inline spinner (silver), Small spoon |
| Summer | 7 to 27 ft chart-limited; documented 8 to 30 ft | dawn & dusk | Break off the point (26 ft) | Dodger + spoon (deep troll), Flutter spoon |
| Fall | 8 to 27 ft chart-limited; documented 10 to 35 ft | dawn & dusk | Main-lake point (14 ft) | Casting spoon, Jerkbait over shoals |
| Winter | 5 to 27 ft chart-limited; documented 8 to 40 ft | dawn | Break off the point (26 ft) | Jigging spoon, Tube jig (white) |
When the water first warms, lake trout slide up into 7 to 27 ft. There's no big seasonal slide here — summer means 8 to 27 ft, winter 7 to 27 ft. If you only fish one area, make it Deep basin: a deep basin around 27 ft that scores prime in summer. In summer the feeding windows fall in early morning. Keep a white tube jig (deep) or a magnum spoon on downrigger rigged through the warm months.
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 | 7 to 27 ft chart-limited; documented 10 to 40 ft | dawn & dusk | Main-lake point (14 ft) | Casting spoon over shoals, Jerkbait (shallow) |
| Summer | 8 to 27 ft chart-limited; documented 50 to 120 ft | dawn | Deep basin (27 ft) | White tube jig (deep), Magnum spoon on downrigger |
| Fall | 5 to 27 ft chart-limited; documented 10 to 50 ft | dusk & dawn | Main-lake point (14 ft) | Heavy casting spoon, Jigging rap over reefs |
| Winter | 7 to 27 ft chart-limited; documented 20 to 80 ft | dawn | Deep basin (27 ft) | White tube jig, Airplane jig |
McKinley Lake also holds crappie (10 to 25 ft in summer), channel catfish (8 to 25 ft in summer). Pick any of them on the map above for rated spots and bait picks.
The chart marks 3 structure features on McKinley Lake; the deepest is Deep basin at about 27 ft.
Season dates, license requirements, and size and bag limits for Montana waters are set by the Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks — and special regulations can apply to McKinley Lake specifically, so confirm the current rules before you fish.
Check the official Montana fishing regulations →
McKinley Lake is about 27 ft (8 m) deep at its deepest point. The depth chart comes from published agency bathymetric survey data, so the contours are survey-derived rather than computer-modeled.
Anglers target walleye, northern pike, yellow perch, smallmouth bass, rainbow trout, lake trout, crappie, channel catfish on McKinley Lake. This isn't a survey of the water — none is published for it — but an informed estimate from the species common to the region, narrowed by this water's depth, size and each species' range.
Break off the point is the top-rated area: a drop-off in about 26 ft of water that rates prime for walleye in fall. Scroll up to the map for the complete spot list by 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 McKinley Lake is regulated by the Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks. Check the official Montana regulations for current license requirements, season dates, and size and bag limits — special regulations can apply to this specific water.
Farmers Lake #6 1 mi · Farmers Lake #5 1 mi · Big Lake 2 mi · Sheridan Lake 2 mi · Glacier Lake 2 mi · Little Lake 2 mi · Sanders Lake 3 mi · Rattlesnake Lake #22 5 mi · Boulder Lake 6 mi · Fly Lake (Missoula) 7 mi · Frenchtown Pond 16 mi · St Marys Lake 17 mi
See how McKinley Lake stacks up: best smallmouth bass lakes in Montana · best walleye lakes in Montana · best northern pike lakes in Montana · best crappie lakes in Montana
More water nearby: Missoula County fishing maps (37 charts). Browse all Montana 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.