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Rating depth structure for rainbow trout.
Recent public catches load as you reach this section.
59-acre lake in Algoma District, Ontario. The lake tops out around 30 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 1967, a decades-old survey (a transect sounding survey). What the data behind the map says about each species, season by season:
Prospect Lake maps at 59 acres behind 2.4 miles of shoreline, broken up by 2 islands. That shoreline is heavily fingered (development index 2.2) — bays, points and pockets everywhere, which multiplies the fishable edge. About 60% of the surface sits shallower than 15 ft — that's the weed-and-bait zone. The basin spans about 0.8 mi end to end and 0.3 mi across at its widest. Algoma District claims this one. Byrnes Lake sits 1 mi northwest — 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.
Come spring, look for rainbow trout tight to the bank in 5 to 20 ft. They move out to 8 to 30 ft in summer and finish the year down in 6 to 30 ft. If you only fish one area, make it Break off the point: a drop-off around 4 ft that scores prime in winter. Best bite is early morning and the evening. A dodger + spoon (deep troll) or a flutter spoon is the honest summer answer here.
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 | 5 to 20 ft | dawn & dusk | Secondary point (5 ft) | Inline spinner (silver), Small spoon |
| Summer | 8 to 30 ft | dawn & dusk | Deep basin (30 ft) | Dodger + spoon (deep troll), Flutter spoon |
| Fall | 9 to 30 ft chart-limited; documented 10 to 35 ft | dawn & dusk | Secondary point (5 ft) | Casting spoon, Jerkbait over shoals |
| Winter | 6 to 30 ft chart-limited; documented 8 to 40 ft | dawn | Break off the point (4 ft) | Jigging spoon, Tube jig (white) |
Early season rainbow smelt use the shallows, holding in 2 to 20 ft. Expect a summer slide to 9 to 30 ft, then a winter hold in 8 to 30 ft. Put Deep basin first on the milk run — a deep basin near 30 ft that grades prime for summer. In summer the feeding windows fall in early morning and the evening. Tie on a tiny vertical jig or a small sabiki-style rig where legal 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 | 2 to 20 ft | night & dusk | Break off the point (4 ft) | Tiny silver jig, Micro spoon |
| Summer | 9 to 30 ft chart-limited; documented 25 to 80 ft | dawn & dusk | Deep basin (30 ft) | Tiny vertical jig, Small sabiki-style rig where legal |
| Fall | 8 to 30 ft chart-limited; documented 18 to 65 ft | dusk & dawn | Deep basin (30 ft) | Micro spoon, Tiny jig |
| Winter | 8 to 30 ft chart-limited; documented 15 to 60 ft | dusk | Deep basin (30 ft) | Tiny glow jig, Micro jigging spoon |
Prospect Lake carries 6 mapped structure features, topping out (or rather bottoming out) at Deep basin, about 30 ft down.
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 Prospect Lake specifically, so confirm the current rules before you fish.
Check the official Ontario fishing regulations →
Prospect Lake is about 30 ft (9 m) deep at its deepest point. The depth data here comes from the Ontario MNRF survey of 1967, a decades-old survey (a transect sounding survey).
Anglers target rainbow trout, rainbow smelt on Prospect Lake.
Deep basin is the top-rated area: a deep basin in about 30 ft of water that rates prime for rainbow smelt in summer. Open the map above to see every rated spot for each species and season.
For rainbow 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 Prospect 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.
Byrnes Lake 1 mi · Rainbow Lake 1 mi · Loon Lake 2 mi · Bailey Lake 2 mi · Shaw Dam Lake 3 mi · Long Lake 4 mi · Birch Lake 4 mi · Burrows Lake 5 mi · Shellrock Lake 5 mi · Cranberry Lake 5 mi · Rock Lake 5 mi · Wanamaker Lake 5 mi
See how Prospect Lake stacks up: best rainbow 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.