Sign inSign up freeRecent catches at Merton Lake
Shared by DepthScout anglers. Exact spots stay private, always.
Fishing Merton Lake: what the data says
1,077-acre lake in British Columbia. The lake tops out around 80 ft. Depth here is modeled from the true shoreline and max depth rather than surveyed; use it to plan, not to navigate. Here is how the season plays out for each species, straight from the data behind the map.
On the chart, Merton Lake draws 1,074 acres inside 9.5 miles of shoreline. The shoreline is moderately structured (index 2.1) — enough points and pockets to pattern. 46% of the surface is littoral (under ~15 ft), per the model — cover, weeds and forage water.
Burbot fishing at Merton Lake
Spring puts burbot in skinny water — 25 to 70 ft is the zone. As the season builds they drop to 24 to 80 ft, wintering in 15 to 60 ft. Spring burbot concentrate at Deep basin, a prime-rated deep basin around 68 ft. Warm-month bites cluster around after dark and midday. A heavy jig + cut bait covers the summer program.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Start at | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 25 to 70 ft | night & dusk | Deep basin (68 ft) | Glow jigging spoon + cut bait, Rattle bait (dark) |
| Summer | 24 to 80 ft | night & midday | Deep basin (68 ft) | Heavy jig + cut bait |
| Fall | 30 to 80 ft | night & dusk | Deep basin (68 ft) | Glow spoon + minnow head, Blade bait (slow) |
| Winter | 15 to 60 ft | night & dusk | Deep basin (68 ft) | Glow tungsten + cut bait, Rattle spoon + minnow head |
Rainbow Trout fishing at Merton Lake
Spring puts rainbow trout in skinny water — 5 to 20 ft is the zone. Warm water sends them out to 8 to 30 ft; cold water stacks them in 8 to 40 ft. Break off the point is the standout, a drop-off at roughly 36 ft, rated prime for winter rainbow trout. Plan around early morning and the evening in the warm months. A dodger + spoon (deep troll) or a flutter spoon covers the summer program.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Start at | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 5 to 20 ft | dawn & dusk | Main-lake point (20 ft) | Inline spinner (silver), Small spoon |
| Summer | 8 to 30 ft | dawn & dusk | Main-lake point (20 ft) | Dodger + spoon (deep troll), Flutter spoon |
| Fall | 10 to 35 ft | dawn & dusk | Main-lake point (20 ft) | Casting spoon, Jerkbait over shoals |
| Winter | 8 to 40 ft | dawn | Break off the point (36 ft) | Jigging spoon, Tube jig (white) |
Lake Whitefish fishing at Merton Lake
Early season lake whitefish use the shallows, holding in 15 to 45 ft. Expect a summer slide to 24 to 80 ft, then a winter hold in 25 to 70 ft. Put Deep basin first on the milk run — a deep basin near 68 ft that grades prime for summer. In summer the feeding windows fall in early morning. Tie on a blade bait vertical or a small jigging spoon and you're in the game.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Start at | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 15 to 45 ft | midday & dawn | Break off the point (36 ft) | Small jig + waxworm, Blade bait (small) |
| Summer | 24 to 80 ft | dawn | Deep basin (68 ft) | Blade bait vertical, Small jigging spoon |
| Fall | 8 to 30 ft | dusk | Main-lake point (20 ft) | Small spoon (gold), Jig + plastic larva |
| Winter | 25 to 70 ft | midday & dawn | Deep basin (68 ft) | Jigging spoon + bead chain, Tungsten jig + waxie |
Notable structure
- Deep basin: deep basin, around 68 ft
- Break off the point: drop-off, around 36 ft
- Main-lake point: point, around 20 ft
- Secondary point: point, around 20 ft
- Shallow bay flat: weed flat, around 6 ft
- Back-bay flat: weed flat, around 6 ft
Merton Lake fishing regulations
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 Merton Lake specifically, so confirm the current rules before you fish.
Check the official British Columbia fishing regulations →
Common questions
How deep is Merton Lake?
Merton Lake is about 80 ft (24 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.
What fish are in Merton Lake?
Anglers target rainbow trout, lake whitefish, burbot on Merton Lake.
Where is the best fishing spot on Merton Lake?
Deep basin is the top-rated area: a deep basin in about 68 ft of water that rates prime for burbot in spring. The interactive chart above rates every spot for each species and season.
When is the best time to fish Merton Lake?
For burbot, the summer bite is best in after dark and midday. Each species page section below lists the seasonal windows, and the map shows a live NOW badge when you're inside one.
What are the fishing regulations for Merton Lake?
Fishing on Merton 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.
Nearby waters
Tyee Lake 4 mi · Peculiar Lake 4 mi · Fisher Lake 7 mi · Terrapin Lake 9 mi · Racoon Lake 9 mi · Davie Lake 10 mi · Weedon Lake 11 mi · Joanne Lake 11 mi · Hawk Lake 12 mi · Square Lake 12 mi · Dominion Lake 12 mi · Mossvale Lake 12 mi
See how Merton Lake stacks up: best rainbow trout lakes in British Columbia · best lake whitefish lakes in British Columbia · best burbot lakes in British Columbia
Browse all British Columbia fishing maps or see every water on DepthScout. How we build these maps. For fishing guidance only, never navigation.