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.
121-acre lake near Cook County. The lake tops out around 60 ft. Bathymetry on this water is estimated from its real outline and maximum depth. Use it to shortlist water, then verify with your electronics — and never navigate by it. Species by species, here's what the data says the year looks like.
The drawn water covers 123 acres wrapped in 3.7 miles of bank, broken up by an island. The 2.4 development index tells the story — a convoluted bank whose fishable edge far outruns the acreage. The shallow band under 15 ft claims about 51% of the surface on the model — that's where the groceries are. Figure 0.8 mi of water from one end to the other, 0.5 mi at the beam. Cook County claims this one. Honker sits 1 mi southeast — the closest neighbouring chart.
Early season lake trout use the shallows, holding in 10 to 40 ft. Summer is an 18 to 60 ft game here, winter a 15 to 60 ft one. The chart's best answer is Deep basin — deep basin, 51 ft, prime for summer. Best bite is early morning. Tie on a white tube jig (deep) or a magnum spoon on downrigger 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 40 ft | dawn & dusk | Main-lake point (15 ft) | Casting spoon over shoals, Jerkbait (shallow) |
| Summer | 18 to 60 ft chart-limited; documented 50 to 120 ft | dawn | Deep basin (51 ft) | White tube jig (deep), Magnum spoon on downrigger |
| Fall | 10 to 50 ft | dusk & dawn | Main-lake point (15 ft) | Heavy casting spoon, Jigging rap over reefs |
| Winter | 15 to 60 ft chart-limited; documented 20 to 80 ft | dawn | Deep basin (51 ft) | White tube jig, Airplane jig |
Count 6 structure marks on this chart. The deepest, Deep basin, sits near 51 ft.
Season dates, license requirements, and size and bag limits for Minnesota waters are set by the Minnesota DNR — and special regulations can apply to Paulson specifically, so confirm the current rules before you fish.
Check the official Minnesota fishing regulations →
Paulson is about 60 ft (18 m) deep at its deepest point. The contours here are modeled from the water's real shape and maximum depth, so treat them as a rough guide.
Anglers target lake trout on Paulson.
Deep basin is the top-rated area: a deep basin in about 51 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 Paulson is regulated by the Minnesota DNR. Check the official Minnesota regulations for current license requirements, season dates, and size and bag limits — special regulations can apply to this specific water.
Honker 1 mi · Bingshick 1 mi · Fay 1 mi · Mine 2 mi · Everett 2 mi · Bat 2 mi · Sea Gull 2 mi · Meditation 3 mi · Brandt 3 mi · French 3 mi · Edith 3 mi · Gillis 3 mi
See how Paulson stacks up: best lake trout lakes in Minnesota
More water nearby: Cook County fishing maps (351 charts). Browse all Minnesota fishing maps. See every water on DepthScout. 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.