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125-acre lake in Kenora District, Ontario. The lake tops out around 13 ft. The depth data here comes from an MNRF lake survey by the Ontario MNRF. The season-by-season read for each species follows, from the map's own numbers.
The drawn water covers 126 acres wrapped in 2.9 miles of bank, with a single island in the mix. A middling shoreline index (1.8) gives it some bays to work without being a maze. There is no deep basin to speak of — the entire surface is under ~15 ft, prime weed water end to end. Tip to tip the water measures near 0.6 mi with a 0.5-mi widest point. It sits in Kenora District. If the bite dies, Larson Lake is 1 mi to the north.
In spring, cisco (lake herring) run shallow here, mostly 3 to 13 ft. Summer keeps them at 4 to 13 ft, and they winter in 4 to 13 ft. Deep basin is the standout, a deep basin at roughly 13 ft, rated prime for spring cisco (lake herring). Time it for early morning. You won't need more than a vertical flutter spoon (small) or a drop-shot micro plastic most summer days.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Start at | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 3 to 13 ft | dawn & dusk | Deep basin (13 ft) | Small silver spoon, Tiny swim jig (white) |
| Summer | 4 to 13 ft | dawn | Deep basin (13 ft) | Vertical flutter spoon (small), Drop-shot micro plastic |
| Fall | 3 to 13 ft | dusk & dawn | Break off the point (12 ft) | Small casting spoon, Inline spinner (silver) |
| Winter | 4 to 13 ft | dawn | Deep basin (13 ft) | Small jigging spoon (glow/silver), Tungsten jig + minnow head |
The spring pattern is a shallow one: walleye in 3 to 13 ft. The depth story barely changes: 4 to 13 ft through summer, 4 to 13 ft in winter. The spot to know is Break off the point, a drop-off in about 12 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 | 3 to 13 ft | dusk & dawn | Main-lake point (5 ft) | 1/8 oz jig + minnow, Hair jig |
| Summer | 4 to 13 ft | dusk & dawn | Break off the point (12 ft) | Crawler harness on bottom bouncer, Deep crankbait (trolled) |
| Fall | 4 to 13 ft | dusk & night | Break off the point (12 ft) | Jigging rap, Jig + big minnow |
| Winter | 4 to 13 ft | dusk & dawn | Deep basin (13 ft) | Jigging spoon + minnow head, Rattle bait |
In spring, yellow perch run shallow here, mostly 3 to 12 ft. Midsummer fish sit out in 4 to 13 ft before dropping to 4 to 13 ft for winter. Fall yellow perch concentrate at Deep basin, a prime-rated deep basin around 13 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 | Shallow bay flat (2 ft) | Small jig + curly tail, Perch-pattern micro crank |
| Summer | 4 to 13 ft | dawn | Deep basin (13 ft) | Drop-shot micro plastics, Small spoon tipped with worm |
| Fall | 4 to 13 ft | midday | Deep basin (13 ft) | Jigging spoon (small), Perch rig / spreader |
| Winter | 4 to 13 ft | midday & dawn | Deep basin (13 ft) | Tungsten jig + spikes, Rattle spoon (small) |
Early season northern pike use the shallows, holding in 2 to 8 ft. Summer is a 4 to 13 ft game here, winter a 4 to 13 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 | 4 to 13 ft | dawn & dusk | Break off the point (12 ft) | Bucktail, Weedless spoon over cabbage |
| Fall | 4 to 13 ft | midday & dawn | Break off the point (12 ft) | Big rubber (Bull Dawg style), Husky-style jerkbait |
| Winter | 4 to 13 ft | midday | Shallow bay flat (2 ft) | Tip-ups, Large jigging spoon |
Early season smallmouth bass use the shallows, holding in 3 to 12 ft. Summer is a 4 to 13 ft game here, winter a 4 to 13 ft one. The chart's best answer is Main-lake point — point, 5 ft, prime for fall. Best bite is early morning and the evening. Tie on a drop shot (goby/minnow) or a ned rig and you're in the game.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Start at | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 3 to 12 ft | dawn & dusk | Main-lake point (5 ft) | Ned rig, Tube jig |
| Summer | 4 to 13 ft | dawn & dusk | Break off the point (12 ft) | Drop shot (goby/minnow), Ned rig |
| Fall | 4 to 13 ft | midday & dawn | Main-lake point (5 ft) | Jerkbait, Blade bait |
| Winter | 4 to 13 ft | midday | Break off the point (12 ft) | Blade bait, Hair jig |
6 pieces of structure are mapped here — Deep basin, around 13 ft, is the deepest of them.
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 Paulson Lake specifically, so confirm the current rules before you fish.
Check the official Ontario fishing regulations →
Paulson Lake is about 13 ft (4 m) deep at its deepest point. The depth data here comes from an MNRF lake survey by the Ontario MNRF.
Anglers target cisco (lake herring), walleye, yellow perch, northern pike, smallmouth bass on Paulson Lake.
Deep basin is the top-rated area: a deep basin in about 13 ft of water that rates prime for cisco (lake herring) in spring. Every other rated spot, per species and season, is on the map above.
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 Paulson 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.
Larson Lake 1 mi · Stuart Lake 2 mi · Olsen Lake 2 mi · Dinorwic Lake 2 mi · Butler Lake 4 mi · Gladys Lake 4 mi · Snowfall Lake 5 mi · Turtlepond Lake 6 mi · Tremeer Lake 6 mi · East Godson Lake 6 mi · Rock Lake 6 mi · Lost Lake 6 mi
See how Paulson Lake stacks up: best smallmouth bass lakes in Ontario · best walleye lakes in Ontario · best northern pike lakes in Ontario · best yellow perch 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.