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.
95-acre lake in Cowichan Valley Regional District, British Columbia. The lake tops out around 30 ft. The contours come from a model of the real basin shape and its known max depth. Read them as probabilities, not soundings, and keep them out of navigation decisions. What the data behind the map says about each species, season by season:
Drawn out, this is 95 acres of water rimmed by 2 miles of bank — one island included. The shoreline is moderately structured (index 1.5) — enough points and pockets to pattern. The shallow band under 15 ft claims about 63% of the surface on the model — that's where the groceries are. Figure 0.6 mi of water from one end to the other, 0.4 mi at the beam. You'll find it in Cowichan Valley Regional District. Closest neighbour on DepthScout: Priest Lake, 2 mi northeast of here.
When the water first warms, cutthroat trout slide up into 3 to 15 ft. By summer they slide out to 9 to 30 ft, and by winter most fish are in 8 to 30 ft. If you only fish one area, make it Break off the point: a drop-off around 14 ft that scores prime in summer. In summer the feeding windows fall in early morning and the evening. Keep a trolled spoon (small) or an inline spinner rigged through the warm months.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Start at | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 3 to 15 ft | dawn & dusk | Main-lake point (8 ft) | Inline spinner (silver/gold), Small spoon |
| Summer | 9 to 30 ft | dawn & dusk | Break off the point (14 ft) | Trolled spoon (small), Inline spinner |
| Fall | 5 to 25 ft | dawn & dusk | Main-lake point (8 ft) | Casting spoon, Inline spinner |
| Winter | 8 to 30 ft | dawn | Break off the point (14 ft) | Small jigging spoon, Marabou jig |
Spring pumpkinseed on Michael Lake hold shallow, usually 1 to 8 ft. They move out to 2 to 10 ft in summer and finish the year down in 6 to 18 ft. Put Shallow bay flat first on the milk run — a weed flat near 4 ft that grades prime for spring. The feeding windows run 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 (4 ft) | Micro jig under a float, Tiny beetle-spin |
| Summer | 2 to 10 ft | dusk & dawn | Shallow bay flat (4 ft) | Micro tube, Sponge spider (fly) |
| Fall | 4 to 14 ft | dusk & dawn | Shallow bay flat (4 ft) | Micro jig + waxworm, Small spoon tipped |
| Winter | 6 to 18 ft | dawn | Shallow bay flat (4 ft) | Tungsten ice jig + plastic, Tiny spoon |
In spring, rainbow trout run shallow here, mostly 5 to 20 ft. Summer pushes them deeper, 8 to 30 ft, and winter fish settle into 6 to 30 ft. Break off the point is the standout, a drop-off at roughly 14 ft, rated prime for winter rainbow trout. Time it for early morning and the evening. You won't need more than a dodger + spoon (deep troll) or a flutter spoon most summer days.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Start at | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 5 to 20 ft | dawn & dusk | Main-lake point (8 ft) | Inline spinner (silver), Small spoon |
| Summer | 8 to 30 ft | dawn & dusk | Break off the point (14 ft) | Dodger + spoon (deep troll), Flutter spoon |
| Fall | 9 to 30 ft | dawn & dusk | Main-lake point (8 ft) | Casting spoon, Jerkbait over shoals |
| Winter | 6 to 30 ft | dawn | Break off the point (14 ft) | Jigging spoon, Tube jig (white) |
The chart marks 6 structure features on Michael Lake; the deepest is Deep basin at about 26 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 Michael Lake specifically, so confirm the current rules before you fish.
Check the official British Columbia fishing regulations →
Michael Lake is about 30 ft (9 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, pumpkinseed, rainbow trout on Michael Lake.
Break off the point is the top-rated area: a drop-off in about 14 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 Michael 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.
Priest Lake 2 mi · Quennell Lake 2 mi · Greenway Lake 3 mi · Holden Lake 4 mi · Beck Lake 5 mi · Stocking Lake 6 mi · Timberland Lake 6 mi · Blind Lake 7 mi · Holland Lake 7 mi · Mckay Lake 7 mi · Degnen Bay 8 mi · Chemainus Lake 9 mi
See how Michael Lake stacks up: best rainbow trout lakes in British Columbia · best cutthroat trout lakes in British Columbia · best pumpkinseed lakes in British Columbia
More water nearby: Cowichan Valley Regional District fishing maps (30 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.