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26-acre lake in Peterborough County, Ontario. The lake tops out around 59 ft. The depth data here comes from the Ontario MNRF survey of 1980 (a transect sounding survey). The season-by-season read for each species follows, from the map's own numbers.
Drawn out, this is 26 acres of water rimmed by 3 miles of bank — 4 islands included. An index of 4.1 puts the bank firmly in maze territory: point after pocket after cove, every one a casting target. 73% of the surface is littoral (under ~15 ft) — cover, weeds and forage water. End to end it runs roughly 0.8 mi, about 0.2 mi across. The water lies in Peterborough County. The nearest mapped water is Long Lake, 1 mi to the north.
Spring yellow perch on Pilot Lake hold shallow, usually 3 to 12 ft. By summer they slide out to 10 to 30 ft, and by winter most fish are in 15 to 35 ft. The chart's best answer is Break off the point — drop-off, 15 ft, prime for summer. Prime time lands in 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 (2 ft) | Small jig + curly tail, Perch-pattern micro crank |
| Summer | 10 to 30 ft | dawn | Break off the point (15 ft) | Drop-shot micro plastics, Small spoon tipped with worm |
| Fall | 12 to 35 ft | midday | Break off the point (15 ft) | Jigging spoon (small), Perch rig / spreader |
| Winter | 15 to 35 ft | midday & dawn | Break off the point (15 ft) | Tungsten jig + spikes, Rattle spoon (small) |
When the water first warms, pumpkinseed slide up into 1 to 8 ft. By summer they slide out to 2 to 10 ft, and by winter most fish are in 6 to 18 ft. If you only fish one area, make it Shallow bay flat: a weed flat around 2 ft that scores prime in spring. In summer the feeding windows fall in the evening and early morning. Keep a micro tube or a sponge spider (fly) rigged through the warm months.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Start at | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 1 to 8 ft | midday & dusk | Shallow bay flat (2 ft) | Micro jig under a float, Tiny beetle-spin |
| Summer | 2 to 10 ft | dusk & dawn | Shallow bay flat (2 ft) | Micro tube, Sponge spider (fly) |
| Fall | 4 to 14 ft | dusk & dawn | Shallow bay flat (2 ft) | Micro jig + waxworm, Small spoon tipped |
| Winter | 6 to 18 ft | dawn | Shallow bay flat (2 ft) | Tungsten ice jig + plastic, Tiny spoon |
Structure-wise the chart holds 6 features, led in depth by Deep basin at roughly 54 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 Pilot Lake specifically, so confirm the current rules before you fish.
Check the official Ontario fishing regulations →
Pilot Lake is about 59 ft (18 m) deep at its deepest point. The depth data here comes from the Ontario MNRF survey of 1980 (a transect sounding survey).
Anglers target yellow perch, pumpkinseed on Pilot Lake.
Shallow bay flat is the top-rated area: a weed flat in about 2 ft of water that rates prime for pumpkinseed in spring. Open the map above to see every rated spot for each species and season.
For yellow perch, 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 Pilot 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.
Long Lake 1 mi · Buzzard Lake 1 mi · Little Long Lake 2 mi · Loucks Lake 2 mi · McGee Lake 2 mi · Crab Lake 3 mi · Stoplog Lake 3 mi · Shark Lake 3 mi · Cherry Lake 4 mi · Triangle Lake 4 mi · Cox Lake 4 mi · Turtle Lake 4 mi
See how Pilot Lake stacks up: best yellow perch lakes in Ontario · best pumpkinseed lakes in Ontario
More water nearby: Peterborough County fishing maps (83 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.