Sign inSign up free Sign inSign up free Sign inSign up freeLake depth chart
Today's read
Rating depth structure for lake trout.
Recent public catches load as you reach this section.
1,108-acre lake in Thunder Bay District, Ontario. The lake tops out around 46 ft. The depth chart comes from Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry bathymetric survey data, so the contours are survey-derived rather than computer-modeled. The depth data here comes from the Ontario MNRF survey of 1979, a decades-old survey (a transect sounding survey). Every species below gets its seasonal read from the same numbers driving the chart.
On the chart, North Whalen Lake draws 1,113 acres inside 19.3 miles of shoreline — 19 islands included. With a shoreline index of 4.1, this water is all arms and coves — edge habitat well beyond its acreage. Roughly 76% of the water is 15 ft or less, the band where the food chain lives. Call it 3.4 mi long by 1.3 mi wide at the broadest reach. You'll find it in Thunder Bay District. For a second option, Vivid Lake lies 4 mi west.
These fish are listed in an exact-water agency record as forage or ecological context. They are not target-species profiles and do not affect DepthScout's Prime, Good, or Fair spot ratings.
Official Ontario MNRF Fish ON-Line record. The listing documents source-recorded presence, not present abundance or guaranteed catchability.
The spring pattern is a shallow one: lake trout in 10 to 40 ft. Midsummer fish sit out in 14 to 46 ft before dropping to 12 to 46 ft for winter. The spot to know is Deep basin, a deep basin in about 43 ft of water that rates prime for lake trout in summer. Plan around early morning in the warm months. Summer baits: a white tube jig (deep) or a magnum spoon on downrigger 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 | 10 to 40 ft | dawn & dusk | Break off the point (12 ft) | Casting spoon over shoals, Jerkbait (shallow) |
| Summer | 14 to 46 ft chart-limited; documented 50 to 120 ft | dawn | Deep basin (43 ft) | White tube jig (deep), Magnum spoon on downrigger |
| Fall | 9 to 46 ft chart-limited; documented 10 to 50 ft | dusk & dawn | Break off the point (12 ft) | Heavy casting spoon, Jigging rap over reefs |
| Winter | 12 to 46 ft chart-limited; documented 20 to 80 ft | dawn | Deep basin (43 ft) | White tube jig, Airplane jig |
The spring pattern is a shallow one: burbot in 14 to 46 ft. The depth story barely changes: 14 to 46 ft through summer, 12 to 46 ft in winter. The spot to know is Deep basin, a deep basin in about 43 ft of water that rates prime for burbot in spring. Plan around after dark and midday in the warm months. Summer baits: a heavy jig + cut bait 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 | 14 to 46 ft chart-limited; documented 25 to 70 ft | night & dusk | Deep basin (43 ft) | Glow jigging spoon + cut bait, Rattle bait (dark) |
| Summer | 14 to 46 ft chart-limited; documented 50 to 120 ft | night & midday | Deep basin (43 ft) | Heavy jig + cut bait |
| Fall | 14 to 46 ft chart-limited; documented 30 to 80 ft | night & dusk | Deep basin (43 ft) | Glow spoon + minnow head, Blade bait (slow) |
| Winter | 12 to 46 ft chart-limited; documented 15 to 60 ft | night & dusk | Deep basin (43 ft) | Glow tungsten + cut bait, Rattle spoon + minnow head |
North Whalen Lake carries 8 mapped structure features, topping out (or rather bottoming out) at Deep basin, about 43 ft down.
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 North Whalen Lake specifically, so confirm the current rules before you fish.
Check the official Ontario fishing regulations →
North Whalen Lake is about 46 ft (14 m) deep at its deepest point. The depth data here comes from the Ontario MNRF survey of 1979, a decades-old survey (a transect sounding survey).
Anglers target lake trout, burbot on North Whalen Lake.
Deep basin is the top-rated area: a deep basin in about 43 ft of water that rates prime for lake trout in summer. Every other rated spot, per species and season, is on the map above.
For lake trout, 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 North Whalen 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.
Vivid Lake 4 mi · Sandison Lake 4 mi · Maggotte Lake 7 mi · Kopka River 7 mi · Awkward Lake 8 mi · Kenakskaniss Lake 8 mi · Beagle Lake 11 mi · Uneven Lake 12 mi · Shawanabis Lake 14 mi · Surprise Lake 14 mi · Collins Lake 15 mi · Cooney Lake 16 mi
See how North Whalen Lake stacks up: best lake trout lakes in Ontario · best burbot lakes in Ontario
More water nearby: Thunder Bay District fishing maps (662 charts). Browse all Ontario 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.