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2,669-acre lake in Kenora District, Ontario. The lake tops out around 39 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 1982 (an MNRF lake survey). What the data behind the map says about each species, season by season:
Drawn out, this is 2,673 acres of water rimmed by 30.8 miles of bank, broken up by 5 islands. With a shoreline index of 4.2, this water is all arms and coves — edge habitat well beyond its acreage. There is no deep basin to speak of — the entire surface is under ~15 ft, prime weed water end to end. The basin spans about 4.1 mi end to end and 2.2 mi across at its widest. The water lies in Kenora District. The nearest mapped water is Philchub Lake, 3 mi to the southeast.
Early season cisco (lake herring) use the shallows, holding in 10 to 39 ft. Even in summer they hold at 12 to 39 ft; winter keeps them in 12 to 39 ft. Put Deep basin first on the milk run — a deep basin near 32 ft that grades prime for spring. In summer the feeding windows fall in early morning. Tie on a vertical flutter spoon (small) or a drop-shot micro plastic and you're in the game.
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 39 ft chart-limited; documented 10 to 40 ft | dawn & dusk | Deep basin (32 ft) | Small silver spoon, Tiny swim jig (white) |
| Summer | 12 to 39 ft chart-limited; documented 40 to 80 ft | dawn | Deep basin (32 ft) | Vertical flutter spoon (small), Drop-shot micro plastic |
| Fall | 5 to 25 ft | dusk & dawn | Sharp break (6 ft) | Small casting spoon, Inline spinner (silver) |
| Winter | 12 to 39 ft chart-limited; documented 20 to 60 ft | dawn | Deep basin (32 ft) | Small jigging spoon (glow/silver), Tungsten jig + minnow head |
Come spring, look for walleye tight to the bank in 4 to 15 ft. They move out to 15 to 35 ft in summer and finish the year down in 12 to 39 ft. If you only fish one area, make it Deep basin: a deep basin around 32 ft that scores prime in winter. Best bite is the evening and early morning. A crawler harness on bottom bouncer or a deep crankbait (trolled) is the honest summer answer here.
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 | 4 to 15 ft | dusk & dawn | Shoreline point (4 ft) | 1/8 oz jig + minnow, Hair jig |
| Summer | 15 to 35 ft | dusk & dawn | Deep basin (32 ft) | Crawler harness on bottom bouncer, Deep crankbait (trolled) |
| Fall | 12 to 39 ft chart-limited; documented 12 to 40 ft | dusk & night | Sharp break (10 ft) | Jigging rap, Jig + big minnow |
| Winter | 12 to 39 ft chart-limited; documented 20 to 40 ft | dusk & dawn | Deep basin (32 ft) | Jigging spoon + minnow head, Rattle bait |
Come spring, look for yellow perch tight to the bank in 3 to 12 ft. Expect a summer slide to 10 to 30 ft, then a winter hold in 15 to 35 ft. Start at Deep basin. It's a deep basin holding about 32 ft of water and rates prime come fall. Prime time lands in early morning. A drop-shot micro plastics or a small spoon tipped with worm is the honest summer answer here.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Start at | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 3 to 12 ft | midday & dawn | Shallow bay flat (1 ft) | Small jig + curly tail, Perch-pattern micro crank |
| Summer | 10 to 30 ft | dawn | Sharp break (10 ft) | Drop-shot micro plastics, Small spoon tipped with worm |
| Fall | 12 to 35 ft | midday | Deep basin (32 ft) | Jigging spoon (small), Perch rig / spreader |
| Winter | 15 to 35 ft | midday & dawn | Deep basin (32 ft) | Tungsten jig + spikes, Rattle spoon (small) |
Start shallow in spring: northern pike sit in 2 to 8 ft that time of year. Summer pushes them deeper, 8 to 20 ft, and winter fish settle into 5 to 15 ft. The spot to know is Sharp break, a drop-off in about 6 ft of water that rates prime for northern pike in fall. Warm-month bites cluster around early morning and the evening. Throw a bucktail or a weedless spoon over cabbage until the fish tell you otherwise.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Start at | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 2 to 8 ft | midday & dawn | Shallow bay flat (1 ft) | #5 inline spinner, Spoon (red/white) |
| Summer | 8 to 20 ft | dawn & dusk | Sharp break (10 ft) | Bucktail, Weedless spoon over cabbage |
| Fall | 6 to 18 ft | midday & dawn | Sharp break (6 ft) | Big rubber (Bull Dawg style), Husky-style jerkbait |
| Winter | 5 to 15 ft | midday | Shallow feeding flat (16 ft) | Tip-ups, Large jigging spoon |
Early season rock bass use the shallows, holding in 2 to 10 ft. Expect a summer slide to 5 to 20 ft, then a winter hold in 12 to 30 ft. Put Sharp break first on the milk run — a drop-off near 10 ft that grades prime for fall. In summer the feeding windows fall in the evening. Tie on a ned rig (small) or a marabou jig and you're in the game.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Start at | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 2 to 10 ft | midday & dawn | Shoreline point (4 ft) | 1/16 oz jig + grub, Small inline spinner |
| Summer | 5 to 20 ft | dusk | Shoreline point (4 ft) | Ned rig (small), Marabou jig |
| Fall | 8 to 22 ft | midday | Sharp break (10 ft) | Small tube jig, Inline spinner |
| Winter | 12 to 30 ft | midday | Deep basin (32 ft) | Tungsten jig + plastic, Small spoon + spike |
Spring puts burbot in skinny water — 12 to 39 ft is the zone. Summer fish stay in 12 to 39 ft, and winter fish hold in 10 to 39 ft. Spring burbot concentrate at Deep basin, a prime-rated deep basin around 32 ft. Warm-month bites cluster around after dark and midday. A heavy jig + cut bait covers the summer program.
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 | 12 to 39 ft chart-limited; documented 25 to 70 ft | night & dusk | Deep basin (32 ft) | Glow jigging spoon + cut bait, Rattle bait (dark) |
| Summer | 12 to 39 ft chart-limited; documented 50 to 120 ft | night & midday | Deep basin (32 ft) | Heavy jig + cut bait |
| Fall | 12 to 39 ft chart-limited; documented 30 to 80 ft | night & dusk | Deep basin (32 ft) | Glow spoon + minnow head, Blade bait (slow) |
| Winter | 10 to 39 ft chart-limited; documented 15 to 60 ft | night & dusk | Deep basin (32 ft) | Glow tungsten + cut bait, Rattle spoon + minnow head |
Structure-wise the chart holds 10 features, led in depth by Deep basin at roughly 32 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 Okanse Lake specifically, so confirm the current rules before you fish.
Check the official Ontario fishing regulations →
Okanse Lake is about 39 ft (12 m) deep at its deepest point. The depth data here comes from the Ontario MNRF survey of 1982 (an MNRF lake survey).
Anglers target cisco (lake herring), walleye, yellow perch, northern pike, rock bass, burbot on Okanse Lake.
Deep basin is the top-rated area: a deep basin in about 32 ft of water that rates prime for cisco (lake herring) in spring. The interactive chart above rates every spot for each species and season.
For cisco (lake herring), 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 Okanse 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.
Philchub Lake 3 mi · Mukukee L. 5 mi · Washagomis Lake 5 mi · Premier Lake 6 mi · Grace Lake 6 mi · Swain Lake 6 mi · Perrigo Lake 6 mi · Boomerang L. 8 mi · Woman Lake 8 mi · Confederation Lake 9 mi · Shabumeni Lake 10 mi · Uchi Lake 11 mi
See how Okanse Lake stacks up: best walleye lakes in Ontario · best northern pike lakes in Ontario · best yellow perch lakes in Ontario · best burbot lakes in Ontario
More water nearby: Kenora District fishing maps (1173 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.