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3,560-acre lake in Kenora District, Ontario. The lake tops out around 33 ft. The depth data here comes from the Ontario MNRF survey of 1978, a decades-old survey (a transect sounding survey). Here's the year, species by species, as the scoring engine sees it.
On the chart, Palsen Lake draws 3,401 acres inside 90.9 miles of shoreline, with 90 islands in the mix. The 11.1 development index tells the story — a convoluted bank whose fishable edge far outruns the acreage. About 89% of the surface sits shallower than 15 ft — that's the weed-and-bait zone. Figure 8.9 mi of water from one end to the other, 3.2 mi at the beam. You'll find it in Kenora District. Closest neighbour on DepthScout: Cherrington Lake, 10 mi southeast of here.
When the water first warms, cisco (lake herring) slide up into 8 to 33 ft. There's no big seasonal slide here — summer means 10 to 33 ft, winter 10 to 33 ft. Start at Deep basin. It's a deep basin holding about 26 ft of water and rates prime come spring. The feeding windows run early morning. Keep a vertical flutter spoon (small) or a drop-shot micro plastic rigged through the warm months.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Start at | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 8 to 33 ft | dawn & dusk | Deep basin (26 ft) | Small silver spoon, Tiny swim jig (white) |
| Summer | 10 to 33 ft | dawn | Deep basin (26 ft) | Vertical flutter spoon (small), Drop-shot micro plastic |
| Fall | 5 to 25 ft | dusk & dawn | Gravel shoal (3 ft) | Small casting spoon, Inline spinner (silver) |
| Winter | 10 to 33 ft | dawn | Deep basin (26 ft) | Small jigging spoon (glow/silver), Tungsten jig + minnow head |
Early season walleye use the shallows, holding in 4 to 15 ft. Expect a summer slide to 10 to 33 ft, then a winter hold in 10 to 33 ft. Put Sharp break first on the milk run — a drop-off near 21 ft that grades prime for fall. In summer the feeding windows fall in the evening and early morning. Tie on a crawler harness on bottom bouncer or a deep crankbait (trolled) and you're in the game.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Start at | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 4 to 15 ft | dusk & dawn | Gravel shoal (3 ft) | 1/8 oz jig + minnow, Hair jig |
| Summer | 10 to 33 ft | dusk & dawn | Sharp break (21 ft) | Crawler harness on bottom bouncer, Deep crankbait (trolled) |
| Fall | 10 to 33 ft | dusk & night | Sharp break (21 ft) | Jigging rap, Jig + big minnow |
| Winter | 10 to 33 ft | dusk & dawn | Deep basin (26 ft) | Jigging spoon + minnow head, Rattle bait |
Spring yellow perch on Palsen Lake hold shallow, usually 3 to 12 ft. They move out to 10 to 30 ft in summer and finish the year down in 10 to 33 ft. Put Shallow bay flat first on the milk run — a weed flat near 7 ft that grades prime for spring. The feeding windows run early morning. The summer box starts with a drop-shot micro plastics or a small spoon tipped with worm.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Start at | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 3 to 12 ft | midday & dawn | Shallow bay flat (7 ft) | Small jig + curly tail, Perch-pattern micro crank |
| Summer | 10 to 30 ft | dawn | Deep basin (26 ft) | Drop-shot micro plastics, Small spoon tipped with worm |
| Fall | 10 to 33 ft | midday | Deep basin (26 ft) | Jigging spoon (small), Perch rig / spreader |
| Winter | 10 to 33 ft | midday & dawn | Deep basin (26 ft) | Tungsten jig + spikes, Rattle spoon (small) |
Spring puts northern pike in skinny water — 2 to 8 ft is the zone. Warm water sends them out to 8 to 20 ft; cold water stacks them in 5 to 15 ft. Shallow bay flat is the standout, a weed flat at roughly 7 ft, rated prime for spring northern pike. Plan around early morning and the evening in the warm months. A bucktail or a weedless spoon over cabbage covers the summer program.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Start at | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 2 to 8 ft | midday & dawn | Shallow bay flat (7 ft) | #5 inline spinner, Spoon (red/white) |
| Summer | 8 to 20 ft | dawn & dusk | Shallow bay flat (7 ft) | Bucktail, Weedless spoon over cabbage |
| Fall | 6 to 18 ft | midday & dawn | Shallow bay flat (7 ft) | Big rubber (Bull Dawg style), Husky-style jerkbait |
| Winter | 5 to 15 ft | midday | Shallow bay flat (7 ft) | Tip-ups, Large jigging spoon |
Start shallow in spring: burbot sit in 10 to 33 ft that time of year. They don't go far with the seasons — 10 to 33 ft covers summer, 8 to 33 ft covers winter. Top water on the chart: Deep basin, a deep basin in the 26 ft range, prime in spring. Fish it in after dark and midday and you'll meet the bite. Throw a heavy jig + cut bait until the fish tell you otherwise.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Start at | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 10 to 33 ft | night & dusk | Deep basin (26 ft) | Glow jigging spoon + cut bait, Rattle bait (dark) |
| Summer | 10 to 33 ft | night & midday | Deep basin (26 ft) | Heavy jig + cut bait |
| Fall | 10 to 33 ft | night & dusk | Deep basin (26 ft) | Glow spoon + minnow head, Blade bait (slow) |
| Winter | 8 to 33 ft | night & dusk | Deep basin (26 ft) | Glow tungsten + cut bait, Rattle spoon + minnow head |
The chart marks 15 structure features on Palsen Lake; the deepest is Deep basin at about 26 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 Palsen Lake specifically, so confirm the current rules before you fish.
Check the official Ontario fishing regulations →
Palsen Lake is about 33 ft (10 m) deep at its deepest point. The depth data here comes from the Ontario MNRF survey of 1978, a decades-old survey (a transect sounding survey).
Anglers target cisco (lake herring), walleye, yellow perch, northern pike, burbot on Palsen Lake.
Deep basin is the top-rated area: a deep basin in about 26 ft of water that rates prime for cisco (lake herring) in spring. Open the map above to see every rated 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 Palsen 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.
Cherrington Lake 10 mi · Black Birch Lake 15 mi · Cobham River 15 mi · Eagle Lake 17 mi · Cobham Lake 22 mi · Rheaume Lake 26 mi · Azure Lake 30 mi, ON/MB · Deer Lake 34 mi · Orono Lake 34 mi · Apps Lake 36 mi · Little Round Lake 36 mi · Berens River 41 mi
See how Palsen 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 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.