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.
529-acre lake in Nanaimo Regional District, British Columbia. The lake tops out around 63 ft. The contours are modeled from the water's real shoreline and maximum depth. Treat them as a rough guide, and never use them for navigation. Here is how the season plays out for each species, straight from the data behind the map.
Nanaimo Lakes maps at 529 acres behind 5.6 miles of shoreline. With a 1.7 development index there's bank structure worth casting at, in moderation. The shallow band under 15 ft claims about 64% of the surface on the model — that's where the groceries are. Call it 2.2 mi long by 0.8 mi wide at the broadest reach. It sits in Nanaimo Regional District. Blackjack Lake sits 4 mi north — the closest neighbouring chart.
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 28 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 (16 ft) | Inline spinner (silver/gold), Small spoon |
| Summer | 10 to 35 ft | dawn & dusk | Break off the point (28 ft) | Trolled spoon (small), Inline spinner |
| Fall | 5 to 25 ft | dawn & dusk | Main-lake point (16 ft) | Casting spoon, Inline spinner |
| Winter | 10 to 40 ft | dawn | Break off the point (28 ft) | Small jigging spoon, Marabou jig |
Spring kokanee on Nanaimo Lakes hold shallow, usually 10 to 30 ft. By summer they slide out to 19 to 63 ft, and by winter most fish are in 16 to 63 ft. The chart's best answer is Deep basin — deep basin, 54 ft, prime for summer. Prime time lands in early morning. The summer box starts with a dodger + pink/orange squid on downrigger or a kokanee bug + corn.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Start at | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 10 to 30 ft | dawn | Break off the point (28 ft) | Small dodger + squid (pink), Wedding-ring spinner + corn |
| Summer | 19 to 63 ft | dawn | Deep basin (54 ft) | Dodger + pink/orange squid on downrigger, Kokanee bug + corn |
| Fall | 5 to 40 ft | dawn | Break off the point (28 ft) | Dodger + squid (deeper red/purple), Small spoon |
| Winter | 16 to 63 ft | dawn | Deep basin (54 ft) | Small glow jig + corn or maggot, Tiny spoon |
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 28 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 (16 ft) | Inline spinner (silver), Small spoon |
| Summer | 8 to 30 ft | dawn & dusk | Break off the point (28 ft) | Dodger + spoon (deep troll), Flutter spoon |
| Fall | 10 to 35 ft | dawn & dusk | Main-lake point (16 ft) | Casting spoon, Jerkbait over shoals |
| Winter | 8 to 40 ft | dawn | Break off the point (28 ft) | Jigging spoon, Tube jig (white) |
The chart marks 6 structure features on Nanaimo Lakes; the deepest is Deep basin at about 54 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 Nanaimo Lakes specifically, so confirm the current rules before you fish.
Check the official British Columbia fishing regulations →
Nanaimo Lakes is about 63 ft (19 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, kokanee, rainbow trout on Nanaimo Lakes.
Break off the point is the top-rated area: a drop-off in about 28 ft of water that rates prime for cutthroat trout in summer. Scroll up to the map for the complete spot list by 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 Nanaimo Lakes 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.
Blackjack Lake 4 mi · Barsby Lake 4 mi · Lucid Lake 5 mi · Cottle Lake 5 mi · Boomerang Lake 6 mi · Round Lake 7 mi · Kidney Lake 7 mi · Third Lake 7 mi · Shelton Lake 8 mi · Healy Lake 8 mi · Westwood Lake 8 mi · Rhododendron Lake 9 mi
See how Nanaimo Lakes stacks up: best rainbow trout lakes in British Columbia · best kokanee lakes in British Columbia · best cutthroat trout lakes in British Columbia
More water nearby: Nanaimo Regional District fishing maps (33 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.