Sign inSign up free Sign inSign up free Sign inSign up freeLake depth chart
Today's read
Recent public catches load as you reach this section.
544-acre lake in Kenora District, Ontario. The lake tops out around 72 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 1983 (an MNRF lake survey). Species by species, here's what the data says the year looks like.
The outline encloses 547 acres, worked by 12.4 miles of shoreline, with 2 islands in the mix. The 3.8 development index tells the story — a convoluted bank whose fishable edge far outruns the acreage. Roughly 93% of the water is 15 ft or less, the band where the food chain lives. The basin spans about 2.2 mi end to end and 1.2 mi across at its widest. Kenora District claims this one. Its nearest charted neighbour, Race Lake, is 2 mi to the northwest.
When the water first warms, northern pike slide up into 2 to 8 ft. By summer they slide out to 8 to 20 ft, and by winter most fish are in 5 to 15 ft. If you only fish one area, make it Break off the point: a drop-off around 8 ft that scores prime in fall. In summer the feeding windows fall in early morning and the evening. Keep a bucktail or a weedless spoon over cabbage rigged through the warm months.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Start at | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 2 to 8 ft | midday & dawn | Shallow bay flat (1 ft) | #5 inline spinner, Spoon (red/white) |
| Summer | 8 to 20 ft | dawn & dusk | Break off the point (8 ft) | Bucktail, Weedless spoon over cabbage |
| Fall | 6 to 18 ft | midday & dawn | Break off the point (8 ft) | Big rubber (Bull Dawg style), Husky-style jerkbait |
| Winter | 5 to 15 ft | midday | Break off the point (8 ft) | Tip-ups, Large jigging spoon |
When the water first warms, burbot slide up into 25 to 70 ft. Summer is a 22 to 72 ft game here, winter a 15 to 60 ft one. Start at Deep basin. It's a deep basin holding about 57 ft of water and rates prime come spring. The feeding windows run after dark and midday. Keep a heavy jig + cut bait rigged through the warm months.
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 | 25 to 70 ft | night & dusk | Deep basin (57 ft) | Glow jigging spoon + cut bait, Rattle bait (dark) |
| Summer | 22 to 72 ft chart-limited; documented 50 to 120 ft | night & midday | Deep basin (57 ft) | Heavy jig + cut bait |
| Fall | 22 to 72 ft chart-limited; documented 30 to 80 ft | night & dusk | Deep basin (57 ft) | Glow spoon + minnow head, Blade bait (slow) |
| Winter | 15 to 60 ft | night & dusk | Deep basin (57 ft) | Glow tungsten + cut bait, Rattle spoon + minnow head |
Structure-wise the chart holds 6 features, led in depth by Deep basin at roughly 57 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 Rao Lake specifically, so confirm the current rules before you fish.
Check the official Ontario fishing regulations →
Rao Lake is about 72 ft (22 m) deep at its deepest point. The depth data here comes from the Ontario MNRF survey of 1983 (an MNRF lake survey).
Anglers target northern pike, burbot on Rao Lake.
Deep basin is the top-rated area: a deep basin in about 57 ft of water that rates prime for burbot in spring. The map above holds the full rated-spot list for every species and season.
For northern pike, 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 Rao 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.
Race Lake 2 mi · Chiki Lake 3 mi · Under Lake 5 mi · Kim Lake 5 mi · St. Raphael Lake 8 mi · Churchill Lake 9 mi · Carling Lake 9 mi · Lynxpaw Lake 10 mi · Sleen Lake 10 mi · Pert Lake 10 mi · Ragged Wood Lake 14 mi · Vincent Lake 16 mi
See how Rao Lake stacks up: best northern pike lakes in Ontario · best burbot lakes in Ontario
More water nearby: Kenora District fishing maps (1173 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.