Lake depth chart
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204-acre lake in Algoma District, Ontario. The lake tops out around 40 ft. The depth chart comes from Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry bathymetric survey data, so the contours are survey-derived rather than computer-modeled. The depth data here comes from the Ontario MNRF survey of 1974, a decades-old survey (a transect sounding survey). Every species below gets its seasonal read from the same numbers driving the chart.
Portelance L. maps at 205 acres behind 6.2 miles of shoreline, broken up by an island. An index of 3.1 puts the bank firmly in maze territory: point after pocket after cove, every one a casting target. 51% of the surface is littoral (under ~15 ft) — cover, weeds and forage water. End to end it runs roughly 1.6 mi, about 0.5 mi across. It sits in Algoma District. Beyond Lake sits 1 mi west — the closest neighbouring chart.
These fish are listed in an exact-water agency record as forage or ecological context. They are not target-species profiles and do not affect DepthScout's Prime, Good, or Fair spot ratings.
Official Ontario MNRF Fish ON-Line record. The listing documents source-recorded presence, not present abundance or guaranteed catchability.
Early season lake trout use the shallows, holding in 10 to 40 ft. Even in summer they hold at 12 to 40 ft; winter keeps them in 10 to 40 ft. Put Deep basin first on the milk run — a deep basin near 40 ft that grades prime for summer. In summer the feeding windows fall in 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 (17 ft) | Casting spoon over shoals, Jerkbait (shallow) |
| Summer | 12 to 40 ft chart-limited; documented 50 to 120 ft | dawn | Deep basin (40 ft) | White tube jig (deep), Magnum spoon on downrigger |
| Fall | 8 to 40 ft chart-limited; documented 10 to 50 ft | dusk & dawn | Main-lake point (17 ft) | Heavy casting spoon, Jigging rap over reefs |
| Winter | 10 to 40 ft chart-limited; documented 20 to 80 ft | dawn | Deep basin (40 ft) | White tube jig, Airplane jig |
Spring smallmouth bass on Portelance L. hold shallow, usually 3 to 12 ft. They move out to 10 to 30 ft in summer and finish the year down in 12 to 40 ft. Put Main-lake point first on the milk run — a point near 17 ft that grades prime for fall. The feeding windows run early morning and the evening. The summer box starts with a drop shot (goby/minnow) or a ned rig.
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 | 3 to 12 ft | dawn & dusk | Secondary point (5 ft) | Ned rig, Tube jig |
| Summer | 10 to 30 ft | dawn & dusk | Break off the point (14 ft) | Drop shot (goby/minnow), Ned rig |
| Fall | 8 to 25 ft | midday & dawn | Main-lake point (17 ft) | Jerkbait, Blade bait |
| Winter | 12 to 40 ft chart-limited; documented 20 to 45 ft | midday | Break off the point (14 ft) | Blade bait, Hair jig |
Structure-wise the chart holds 7 features, led in depth by Deep basin at roughly 40 ft.
Access data: Geospatial Ontario - Fishing Access Points; Government of Ontario - MNR Unpatented Crown Land Shoreline; Government of Ontario - MNR Unpatented Crown Land Shoreline. Confirm conditions and fees locally before you launch.
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 Portelance L. specifically, so confirm the current rules before you fish.
Check the official Ontario fishing regulations →
Portelance L. is about 40 ft (12 m) deep at its deepest point. The depth data here comes from the Ontario MNRF survey of 1974, a decades-old survey (a transect sounding survey).
Anglers target lake trout, smallmouth bass on Portelance L..
Deep basin is the top-rated area: a deep basin in about 40 ft of water that rates prime for lake trout in summer. Open the map above to see every rated spot for each species and season.
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 Portelance L. 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.
Beyond Lake 1 mi · Finger Lake 2 mi · Dolan Lake 3 mi · Esker Lake 3 mi · Crain Lake 3 mi · Clara Lake 4 mi · Red L. 4 mi · Flag Lake 4 mi · Dubbelewe Lake 4 mi · Oval Lake 4 mi · Salvage Lake 4 mi · Army L. 4 mi
See how Portelance L. stacks up: best smallmouth bass lakes in Ontario · best lake trout lakes in Ontario
More water nearby: Algoma District fishing maps (1026 charts). Browse all Ontario fishing maps. 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.