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2,306-acre lake in Kenora District, Ontario. The lake tops out around 20 ft. The depth data here comes from the Ontario MNRF survey of 1978, 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.
The drawn water covers 2,316 acres wrapped in 23.7 miles of bank — 3 islands included. With a shoreline index of 3.5, this water is all arms and coves — edge habitat well beyond its acreage. The whole water is littoral — nothing here runs deeper than ~15 ft, so it's all weed-and-bait territory. The basin spans about 5.7 mi end to end and 1.7 mi across at its widest. It sits in Kenora District. Its nearest charted neighbour, Justice Lake, is 13 mi to the south.
Spring puts lake whitefish in skinny water — 6 to 20 ft is the zone. Summer fish stay in 6 to 20 ft, and winter fish hold in 6 to 20 ft. Summer lake whitefish concentrate at Deep basin, a prime-rated deep basin around 19 ft. Warm-month bites cluster around early morning. A blade bait vertical or a small jigging spoon covers the summer program.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Start at | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 6 to 20 ft | midday & dawn | Break off the point (4 ft) | Small jig + waxworm, Blade bait (small) |
| Summer | 6 to 20 ft | dawn | Deep basin (19 ft) | Blade bait vertical, Small jigging spoon |
| Fall | 5 to 20 ft | dusk | Break off the point (4 ft) | Small spoon (gold), Jig + plastic larva |
| Winter | 6 to 20 ft | midday & dawn | Deep basin (19 ft) | Jigging spoon + bead chain, Tungsten jig + waxie |
Start shallow in spring: walleye sit in 4 to 15 ft that time of year. Warm water sends them out to 6 to 20 ft; cold water stacks them in 6 to 20 ft. Top water on the chart: Deep basin, a deep basin in the 19 ft range, prime in winter. Fish it in the evening and early morning and you'll meet the bite. Throw a crawler harness on bottom bouncer or a deep crankbait (trolled) until the fish tell you otherwise.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Start at | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 4 to 15 ft | dusk & dawn | Main-lake point (4 ft) | 1/8 oz jig + minnow, Hair jig |
| Summer | 6 to 20 ft | dusk & dawn | Break off the point (4 ft) | Crawler harness on bottom bouncer, Deep crankbait (trolled) |
| Fall | 6 to 20 ft | dusk & night | Break off the point (4 ft) | Jigging rap, Jig + big minnow |
| Winter | 6 to 20 ft | dusk & dawn | Deep basin (19 ft) | Jigging spoon + minnow head, Rattle bait |
Spring northern pike on McPhail Lake hold shallow, usually 2 to 8 ft. They move out to 8 to 20 ft in summer and finish the year down in 5 to 15 ft. Put Shallow bay flat first on the milk run — a weed flat near 2 ft that grades prime for spring. The feeding windows run early morning and the evening. The summer box starts with a bucktail or a weedless spoon over cabbage.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Start at | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 2 to 8 ft | midday & dawn | Shallow bay flat (2 ft) | #5 inline spinner, Spoon (red/white) |
| Summer | 8 to 20 ft | dawn & dusk | Break off the point (4 ft) | Bucktail, Weedless spoon over cabbage |
| Fall | 6 to 18 ft | midday & dawn | Break off the point (4 ft) | Big rubber (Bull Dawg style), Husky-style jerkbait |
| Winter | 5 to 15 ft | midday | Shallow bay flat (2 ft) | Tip-ups, Large jigging spoon |
The spring pattern is a shallow one: lake sturgeon in 3 to 15 ft. Midsummer fish sit out in 6 to 20 ft before dropping to 6 to 20 ft for winter. The spot to know is Deep basin, a deep basin in about 19 ft of water that rates prime for lake sturgeon in fall. Plan around after dark and the evening in the warm months.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Start at | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 3 to 15 ft | dusk & night | open water | |
| Summer | 6 to 20 ft | night & dusk | Deep basin (19 ft) | |
| Fall | 6 to 20 ft | dusk | Deep basin (19 ft) | |
| Winter | 6 to 20 ft | midday | Deep basin (19 ft) |
Count 6 structure marks on this chart. The deepest, Deep basin, sits near 19 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 McPhail Lake specifically, so confirm the current rules before you fish.
Check the official Ontario fishing regulations →
McPhail Lake is about 20 ft (6 m) deep at its deepest point. The depth data here comes from the Ontario MNRF survey of 1978, a decades-old survey (a transect sounding survey).
Anglers target lake whitefish, walleye, northern pike, lake sturgeon on McPhail Lake.
Deep basin is the top-rated area: a deep basin in about 19 ft of water that rates prime for lake whitefish in summer. Open the map above to see every rated spot for each species and season.
For lake whitefish, 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 McPhail 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.
Justice Lake 13 mi · Windsor Lake 21 mi · Mameigwess Lake 23 mi · Winisk Lake 33 mi · Plant Lake 36 mi · Kemp Lake 43 mi · Wapikopa Lake 46 mi · Kabania Lake 47 mi · Bradden Lake 48 mi · Armatta Lake 50 mi · Gifford Lake 56 mi · Kenozhe Lake 57 mi
See how McPhail Lake stacks up: best walleye lakes in Ontario · best northern pike lakes in Ontario · best lake whitefish lakes in Ontario · best lake sturgeon lakes in Ontario
More water nearby: Kenora District fishing maps (1173 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.