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8,547-acre lake in Kenora District, Ontario. The lake tops out around 49 ft. The depth data here comes from the Ontario MNRF survey of 1977, a decades-old survey (a transect sounding survey). Here is how the season plays out for each species, straight from the data behind the map.
The drawn water covers 8,587 acres wrapped in 156.1 miles of bank — 64 islands included. The 12 development index tells the story — a convoluted bank whose fishable edge far outruns the acreage. Roughly 93% of the water is 15 ft or less, the band where the food chain lives. The basin spans about 16 mi end to end and 6.6 mi across at its widest. It sits in Kenora District. If the bite dies, Stout Lake is 12 mi to the southwest.
In spring, lake whitefish run shallow here, mostly 15 to 45 ft. Summer pushes them deeper, 15 to 49 ft, and winter fish settle into 15 to 49 ft. Deep basin is the standout, a deep basin at roughly 31 ft, rated prime for summer lake whitefish. Time it for early morning. You won't need more than a blade bait vertical or a small jigging spoon most summer days.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Start at | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 15 to 45 ft | midday & dawn | Break off the point (13 ft) | Small jig + waxworm, Blade bait (small) |
| Summer | 15 to 49 ft | dawn | Deep basin (31 ft) | Blade bait vertical, Small jigging spoon |
| Fall | 8 to 30 ft | dusk | Break off the point (13 ft) | Small spoon (gold), Jig + plastic larva |
| Winter | 15 to 49 ft | midday & dawn | Deep basin (31 ft) | Jigging spoon + bead chain, Tungsten jig + waxie |
The spring pattern is a shallow one: walleye in 4 to 15 ft. Midsummer fish sit out in 15 to 35 ft before dropping to 20 to 40 ft for winter. The spot to know is Break off the point, a drop-off in about 13 ft of water that rates prime for walleye in fall. Plan around the evening and early morning in the warm months. Summer baits: a crawler harness on bottom bouncer or a deep crankbait (trolled) gets it done.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Start at | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 4 to 15 ft | dusk & dawn | Gravel shoal (2 ft) | 1/8 oz jig + minnow, Hair jig |
| Summer | 15 to 35 ft | dusk & dawn | Break off the point (13 ft) | Crawler harness on bottom bouncer, Deep crankbait (trolled) |
| Fall | 12 to 40 ft | dusk & night | Break off the point (13 ft) | Jigging rap, Jig + big minnow |
| Winter | 20 to 40 ft | dusk & dawn | Deep basin (31 ft) | Jigging spoon + minnow head, Rattle bait |
In spring, yellow perch run shallow here, mostly 3 to 12 ft. Midsummer fish sit out in 10 to 30 ft before dropping to 15 to 35 ft for winter. Spring yellow perch concentrate at Back-bay flat, a prime-rated weed flat around 8 ft. Fish it in early morning and you'll meet the bite. You won't need more than a drop-shot micro plastics or a small spoon tipped with worm most summer days.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Start at | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 3 to 12 ft | midday & dawn | Back-bay flat (8 ft) | Small jig + curly tail, Perch-pattern micro crank |
| Summer | 10 to 30 ft | dawn | Break off the point (13 ft) | Drop-shot micro plastics, Small spoon tipped with worm |
| Fall | 12 to 35 ft | midday | Deep basin (31 ft) | Jigging spoon (small), Perch rig / spreader |
| Winter | 15 to 35 ft | midday & dawn | Deep basin (31 ft) | Tungsten jig + spikes, Rattle spoon (small) |
Early season northern pike use the shallows, holding in 2 to 8 ft. Summer is an 8 to 20 ft game here, winter a 5 to 15 ft one. The chart's best answer is Shallow bay flat — weed flat, 2 ft, prime for spring. Best bite is early morning and the evening. Tie on a bucktail or a weedless spoon over cabbage and you're in the game.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Start at | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 2 to 8 ft | midday & dawn | Shallow bay flat (2 ft) | #5 inline spinner, Spoon (red/white) |
| Summer | 8 to 20 ft | dawn & dusk | Back-bay flat (8 ft) | Bucktail, Weedless spoon over cabbage |
| Fall | 6 to 18 ft | midday & dawn | Back-bay flat (8 ft) | Big rubber (Bull Dawg style), Husky-style jerkbait |
| Winter | 5 to 15 ft | midday | Back-bay flat (8 ft) | Tip-ups, Large jigging spoon |
Spring burbot on Old Shoes Lake hold shallow, usually 15 to 49 ft. Depth-wise the year is flat: 15 to 49 ft in summer, 12 to 49 ft once it turns cold. The chart's best answer is Deep basin — deep basin, 31 ft, prime for spring. Prime time lands in after dark and midday. The summer box starts with a heavy jig + cut bait.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Start at | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 15 to 49 ft | night & dusk | Deep basin (31 ft) | Glow jigging spoon + cut bait, Rattle bait (dark) |
| Summer | 15 to 49 ft | night & midday | Deep basin (31 ft) | Heavy jig + cut bait |
| Fall | 15 to 49 ft | night & dusk | Deep basin (31 ft) | Glow spoon + minnow head, Blade bait (slow) |
| Winter | 12 to 49 ft | night & dusk | Deep basin (31 ft) | Glow tungsten + cut bait, Rattle spoon + minnow head |
Old Shoes Lake carries 15 mapped structure features, topping out (or rather bottoming out) at Deep basin, about 31 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 Old Shoes Lake specifically, so confirm the current rules before you fish.
Check the official Ontario fishing regulations →
Old Shoes Lake is about 49 ft (15 m) deep at its deepest point. The depth data here comes from the Ontario MNRF survey of 1977, a decades-old survey (a transect sounding survey).
Anglers target lake whitefish, walleye, yellow perch, northern pike, burbot on Old Shoes Lake.
Deep basin is the top-rated area: a deep basin in about 31 ft of water that rates prime for lake whitefish in summer. Scroll up to the map for the complete spot list by species and season.
For lake whitefish, 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 Old Shoes 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.
Stout Lake 12 mi · Apps Lake 15 mi · Grist Lake 16 mi · Cleveland Lake 17 mi · Barton Lake 17 mi · Unnamed Lake 18 mi · Shining Falls Lake 18 mi · Little Round Lake 20 mi · Meddick Lake 22 mi · Donaldson Lake 22 mi · Willis Lake 22 mi · Berens River 23 mi
See how Old Shoes Lake stacks up: best walleye lakes in Ontario · best northern pike lakes in Ontario · best yellow perch lakes in Ontario · best lake whitefish lakes in Ontario
More water nearby: Kenora District fishing maps (1173 charts). Browse all Ontario fishing maps or see every water on DepthScout. Bathymetry credit: state fisheries survey programs. 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.