Sign inSign up free Sign inSign up free Sign inSign up freeLake depth chart
Today's read
Rating depth structure for lake trout.
Recent public catches load as you reach this section.
21-acre lake in Timiskaming District, Ontario. The lake tops out around 33 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 2002 (an MNRF lake survey). Species by species, here's what the data says the year looks like.
On the chart, Rathwell Lake draws 22 acres inside 1.1 miles of shoreline. Index 1.6 on the shoreline: a few honest points and pockets, nothing labyrinthine. About 55% of the surface sits shallower than 15 ft — that's the weed-and-bait zone. The basin spans about 0.3 mi end to end and 0.2 mi across at its widest. You'll find it in Timiskaming District. For a second option, Nettie Lake lies 1 mi east.
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.
Start shallow in spring: brook trout sit in 2 to 15 ft that time of year. Summer pushes them deeper, 10 to 30 ft, and winter fish settle into 3 to 20 ft. The spot to know is Deep basin, a deep basin in about 30 ft of water that rates prime for brook trout in summer. Warm-month bites cluster around early morning and the evening. Throw a small spoon fished deep or a trolled lake-clear wobbler + worm until the fish tell you otherwise.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Start at | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 2 to 15 ft | dawn & dusk | Main-lake point (7 ft) | Small inline spinner (gold), Tiny spoon |
| Summer | 10 to 30 ft | dawn & dusk | Deep basin (30 ft) | Small spoon fished deep, Trolled lake-clear wobbler + worm |
| Fall | 2 to 15 ft | midday & dawn | Main-lake point (7 ft) | Small spoon (orange), Spinner |
| Winter | 3 to 20 ft | dawn | Break off the point (14 ft) | Small jigging spoon, Tungsten jig + plastic |
Start shallow in spring: lake trout sit in 8 to 33 ft that time of year. They don't go far with the seasons — 10 to 33 ft covers summer, 8 to 33 ft covers winter. Top water on the chart: Deep basin, a deep basin in the 30 ft range, prime in summer. Fish it in early morning and you'll meet the bite. Throw a white tube jig (deep) or a magnum spoon on downrigger until the fish tell you otherwise.
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 | 8 to 33 ft chart-limited; documented 10 to 40 ft | dawn & dusk | Main-lake point (7 ft) | Casting spoon over shoals, Jerkbait (shallow) |
| Summer | 10 to 33 ft chart-limited; documented 50 to 120 ft | dawn | Deep basin (30 ft) | White tube jig (deep), Magnum spoon on downrigger |
| Fall | 7 to 33 ft chart-limited; documented 10 to 50 ft | dusk & dawn | Main-lake point (7 ft) | Heavy casting spoon, Jigging rap over reefs |
| Winter | 8 to 33 ft chart-limited; documented 20 to 80 ft | dawn | Deep basin (30 ft) | White tube jig, Airplane jig |
The spring pattern is a shallow one: splake in 5 to 25 ft. Midsummer fish sit out in 10 to 33 ft before dropping to 7 to 33 ft for winter. The spot to know is Break off the point, a drop-off in about 14 ft of water that rates prime for splake in summer. Plan around early morning and the evening in the warm months. Summer baits: a trolled spoon at the thermocline or a white tube jig (deep) gets it done.
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 25 ft | dawn & dusk | Main-lake point (7 ft) | Small casting spoon (gold/orange), Inline spinner |
| Summer | 10 to 33 ft chart-limited; documented 25 to 60 ft | dawn & dusk | Break off the point (14 ft) | Trolled spoon at the thermocline, White tube jig (deep) |
| Fall | 9 to 33 ft chart-limited; documented 10 to 35 ft | dawn & dusk | Main-lake point (7 ft) | Casting spoon, Jerkbait |
| Winter | 7 to 33 ft chart-limited; documented 10 to 45 ft | dawn | Break off the point (14 ft) | Jigging spoon tipped with minnow head, Small white tube |
Rathwell Lake carries 4 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 Rathwell Lake specifically, so confirm the current rules before you fish.
Check the official Ontario fishing regulations →
Rathwell Lake is about 33 ft (10 m) deep at its deepest point. The depth data here comes from the Ontario MNRF survey of 2002 (an MNRF lake survey).
Anglers target brook trout, lake trout, splake on Rathwell Lake.
Deep basin is the top-rated area: a deep basin in about 30 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 brook 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 Rathwell 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.
Nettie Lake 1 mi · Joyce Lake 1 mi · Midget Lake 1 mi · Dorothy Lake 1 mi · Lawgrave Lake 1 mi · Edwards Lake 2 mi · Doran Lake 2 mi · Goodfish Lake 2 mi · Emms Lake 2 mi · Lancaster Lake 2 mi · Seely Lake 2 mi · Ferguson Lake 3 mi
See how Rathwell Lake stacks up: best lake trout lakes in Ontario · best brook trout lakes in Ontario · best splake lakes in Ontario
More water nearby: Timiskaming District fishing maps (515 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.