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Rating depth structure for rainbow trout.
Shared by DepthScout anglers. Exact spots stay private, always.
542-acre lake near Mountain View. The lake tops out around 20 ft. The depth chart comes from published agency bathymetric survey data, so the contours are survey-derived rather than computer-modeled. The season-by-season read for each species follows, from the map's own numbers.
Traced from the shoreline, Payne Lake runs 541 acres with 8 miles of edge, broken up by 5 islands. With a shoreline index of 2.5, this water is all arms and coves — edge habitat well beyond its acreage. The shallow band under 15 ft claims about 69% of the surface — that's where the groceries are. Tip to tip the water measures near 2.1 mi with a 0.9-mi widest point. You'll find it in Division No. 3. For a second option, Outpost Lake lies 11 mi southeast.
When the water first warms, cutthroat trout slide up into 3 to 15 ft. By summer they slide out to 6 to 20 ft, and by winter most fish are in 5 to 20 ft. If you only fish one area, make it Break off the point: a drop-off around 14 ft that scores prime in summer. In summer the feeding windows fall in early morning and the evening. Keep a trolled spoon (small) or an inline spinner rigged through the warm months.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Start at | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 3 to 15 ft | dawn & dusk | Break off the point (14 ft) | Inline spinner (silver/gold), Small spoon |
| Summer | 6 to 20 ft | dawn & dusk | Break off the point (14 ft) | Trolled spoon (small), Inline spinner |
| Fall | 4 to 20 ft | dawn & dusk | Break off the point (14 ft) | Casting spoon, Inline spinner |
| Winter | 5 to 20 ft | dawn | Break off the point (14 ft) | Small jigging spoon, Marabou jig |
In spring, rainbow trout run shallow here, mostly 5 to 20 ft. Summer keeps them at 5 to 20 ft, and they winter in 4 to 20 ft. Break off the point is the standout, a drop-off at roughly 14 ft, rated prime for winter rainbow trout. Time it for early morning and the evening. You won't need more than a dodger + spoon (deep troll) or a flutter spoon most summer days.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Start at | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 5 to 20 ft | dawn & dusk | Break off the point (14 ft) | Inline spinner (silver), Small spoon |
| Summer | 5 to 20 ft | dawn & dusk | Break off the point (14 ft) | Dodger + spoon (deep troll), Flutter spoon |
| Fall | 6 to 20 ft | dawn & dusk | Break off the point (14 ft) | Casting spoon, Jerkbait over shoals |
| Winter | 4 to 20 ft | dawn | Break off the point (14 ft) | Jigging spoon, Tube jig (white) |
Count 6 structure marks on this chart. The deepest, Deep basin, sits near 19 ft.
Season dates, license requirements, and size and bag limits for Alberta waters are set by the Alberta fishing regulations — and special regulations can apply to Payne Lake specifically, so confirm the current rules before you fish.
Check the official Alberta fishing regulations →
Payne Lake is about 20 ft (6 m) deep at its deepest point. The depth chart comes from published agency bathymetric survey data, so the contours are survey-derived rather than computer-modeled.
Anglers target cutthroat trout, rainbow trout on Payne Lake.
Break off the point is the top-rated area: a drop-off in about 14 ft of water that rates prime for cutthroat trout in summer. The map above holds the full rated-spot list for every species and season.
For cutthroat trout, the summer bite is best in early morning and the evening. Each species page section below lists the seasonal windows, and the map shows a live NOW badge when you're inside one.
Fishing on Payne Lake is regulated by the Alberta fishing regulations. Check the official Alberta regulations for current license requirements, season dates, and size and bag limits — special regulations can apply to this specific water.
Outpost Lake 11 mi · Glenns Lake 16 mi, MT · Lake Wurdeman 19 mi, MT · Forum Lake 20 mi, BC · Wall Lake 21 mi, BC · Lake Sherburne 21 mi, MT · Redrock Lake 22 mi, MT · Ashman Lake 23 mi, BC · Evangeline Lake 28 mi, MT · Camas Lake 28 mi, MT · Gunsight Lake 34 mi, MT · Beaver Mines Lake 34 mi
See how Payne Lake stacks up: best rainbow trout lakes in Alberta · best cutthroat trout lakes in Alberta
Browse all Alberta fishing maps or 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.