Salt water depth chart
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638-acre Ringkøbing Fjord. Southwest Pocket Denmark saltwater fishing map with official Danish Geodata Agency 50 m bathymetry, measured-only fishing spots, DTU-supported fish targets, seasonal forage guidance and public shore-access context. A compact source-backed southwest-fjord pocket (mostly satellite-derived bathymetry cells), released independently while the surrounding interpolation-dominated lagoon remains visible on quality hold. The water tops out around 22 ft. The depth chart comes from Danish Geodata Agency bathymetric survey data, so the contours are survey-derived rather than computer-modeled. What the data behind the map says about each species, season by season:
The drawn water covers 638 acres wrapped in 5.1 miles of bank. The basin is a simple one (shoreline index 1.4) — close to a bowl, so the structure on the chart matters more than the bank. 72% of the surface is littoral (under ~15 ft) — cover, weeds and forage water. Call it 2.1 mi long by 0.7 mi wide at the broadest reach. Its nearest charted neighbour, Nissum Fjord - South, is 30 mi to the north.
The target roster combines the named DTU monitoring area with conservative habitat-compatible Danish regional records. It documents observed or regionally supported occurrence, not equal abundance, a catch rate, or a promised catch in this child. European eel is omitted because recreational eel fishing is currently closed. The roster may combine exact-water monitoring with habitat-filtered official regional evidence; it does not imply that every species is equally abundant throughout the mapped section.
| Species | Evidence basis | Count / date |
|---|---|---|
| Skrubbe (European Flounder) | official species listing | — |
| Aborre (European Perch) | official species listing | — |
| Sild (Atlantic Herring) | official species listing | — |
| Smelt (European Smelt) | official species listing | — |
| Helt (Lake Whitefish) | official species listing | — |
| Makrel (Atlantic Mackerel) | official species listing | — |
| Hornfisk (Garfish) | official species listing | — |
| Gedde (Northern Pike) | official species listing | — |
| Sandart (Zander) | official species listing | — |
| Tunge (Common Sole) | official species listing | — |
| Rødspætte (European Plaice) | official species listing | — |
Official species-evidence source.
In spring, european flounder run shallow here, mostly 4 to 22 ft. Summer keeps them at 4 to 22 ft, and they winter in 7 to 22 ft. Sharp break is the standout, a drop-off at roughly 14 ft, rated prime for fall european flounder. Time it for early morning and the evening. You won't need more than a bottom jig with spinner blade most summer days.
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 | 4 to 22 ft chart-limited; documented 5 to 25 ft | dusk | DDM measured flat (2 ft) | Small bucktail dragged on bottom |
| Summer | 4 to 22 ft chart-limited; documented 6 to 35 ft | dawn & dusk | Sharp break (14 ft) | Bottom jig with spinner blade |
| Fall | 4 to 22 ft chart-limited; documented 8 to 40 ft | dusk | Sharp break (14 ft) | Compact bottom jig |
| Winter | 7 to 22 ft chart-limited; documented 15 to 50 ft | midday | DDM measured basin (18 ft) | Small bottom jig |
Spring european perch on Ringkøbing Fjord - Southwest Pocket hold shallow, usually 3 to 12 ft. By summer they slide out to 6 to 22 ft, and by winter most fish are in 7 to 22 ft. The chart's best answer is DDM measured basin — deep basin, 18 ft, prime for fall. Prime time lands in early morning. The summer box starts with a drop-shot micro plastics or a small crankbait (perch pattern).
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 | midday & dawn | DDM measured shoal (5 ft) | Small jig + curly tail, Inline spinner #1-2 |
| Summer | 6 to 22 ft chart-limited; documented 8 to 28 ft | dawn | Sharp break (14 ft) | Drop-shot micro plastics, Small crankbait (perch pattern) |
| Fall | 7 to 22 ft chart-limited; documented 10 to 33 ft | midday | DDM measured basin (18 ft) | Jigging spoon (small), Drop-shot on deep flats |
| Winter | 7 to 22 ft chart-limited; documented 12 to 33 ft | midday & dawn | DDM measured basin (18 ft) | Tungsten jig + maggots, Small balance jig |
Early season atlantic herring use the shallows, holding in 4 to 22 ft. Even in summer they hold at 7 to 22 ft; winter keeps them in 7 to 22 ft. Put DDM measured basin first on the milk run — a deep basin near 18 ft that grades prime for summer. In summer the feeding windows fall in early morning and the evening. Tie on a herring feather rig or a small silver jig 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 | 4 to 22 ft chart-limited; documented 5 to 25 ft | dawn & dusk | DDM measured current seam (9 ft) | Small herring feather rig, Micro jig rig |
| Summer | 7 to 22 ft chart-limited; documented 15 to 50 ft | dawn & dusk | DDM measured basin (18 ft) | Herring feather rig, Small silver jig |
| Fall | 6 to 22 ft chart-limited; documented 10 to 40 ft | dawn & dusk | DDM measured basin (18 ft) | Small feather rig, Compact silver spoon |
| Winter | 7 to 22 ft chart-limited; documented 20 to 60 ft | midday | DDM measured basin (18 ft) | Small silver jig, Sparse feather rig |
Start shallow in spring: european smelt sit in 3 to 22 ft that time of year. They don't go far with the seasons — 7 to 22 ft covers summer, 7 to 22 ft covers winter. The spot to know is DDM measured basin, a deep basin in about 18 ft of water that rates prime for european smelt in summer. Warm-month bites cluster around early morning and the evening. Throw a tiny vertical spoon or a micro jig 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 | 3 to 22 ft chart-limited; documented 3 to 25 ft | night & dusk | DDM measured shoal (5 ft) | Micro silver jig, Tiny feather rig |
| Summer | 7 to 22 ft chart-limited; documented 25 to 70 ft | dawn & dusk | DDM measured basin (18 ft) | Tiny vertical spoon, Micro jig |
| Fall | 6 to 22 ft chart-limited; documented 15 to 55 ft | dusk | DDM measured basin (18 ft) | Micro jig, Tiny silver spoon |
| Winter | 7 to 22 ft chart-limited; documented 20 to 65 ft | dusk | DDM measured basin (18 ft) | Tiny glow jig, Micro ice spoon |
Start shallow in spring: lake whitefish sit in 7 to 22 ft that time of year. They don't go far with the seasons — 7 to 22 ft covers summer, 7 to 22 ft covers winter. Top water on the chart: DDM measured basin, a deep basin in the 18 ft range, prime in summer. Fish it in early morning and you'll meet the bite. Throw a blade bait vertical or a small jigging spoon 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 | 7 to 22 ft chart-limited; documented 15 to 45 ft | midday & dawn | DDM measured shoal (5 ft) | Small jig + waxworm, Blade bait (small) |
| Summer | 7 to 22 ft chart-limited; documented 40 to 90 ft | dawn | DDM measured basin (18 ft) | Blade bait vertical, Small jigging spoon |
| Fall | 6 to 22 ft chart-limited; documented 8 to 30 ft | dusk | DDM measured shoal (5 ft) | Small spoon (gold), Jig + plastic larva |
| Winter | 7 to 22 ft chart-limited; documented 25 to 70 ft | midday & dawn | DDM measured basin (18 ft) | Jigging spoon + bead chain, Tungsten jig + waxie |
In spring, atlantic mackerel run shallow here, mostly 2 to 22 ft. Summer keeps them at 4 to 22 ft, and they winter in 6 to 22 ft. DDM measured basin is the standout, a deep basin at roughly 18 ft, rated prime for summer atlantic mackerel. Time it for early morning and the evening. You won't need more than a feather rig or a small vertical jig most summer days.
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 22 ft chart-limited; documented 5 to 45 ft | dawn & dusk | DDM measured current seam (9 ft) | Mackerel feather rig, Small silver jig |
| Summer | 4 to 22 ft chart-limited; documented 15 to 80 ft | dawn & dusk | DDM measured basin (18 ft) | Feather rig, Small vertical jig |
| Fall | 3 to 22 ft chart-limited; documented 10 to 65 ft | dawn & dusk | DDM measured current seam (9 ft) | Compact silver jig, Sparse feather rig |
| Winter | 6 to 22 ft chart-limited; documented 30 to 120 ft | midday | DDM measured basin (18 ft) | Small deep jig |
Ringkøbing Fjord - Southwest Pocket also holds garfish (2 to 20 ft in summer), northern pike (8 to 20 ft in summer), zander (7 to 22 ft in summer), common sole (2 to 22 ft in summer), european plaice (3 to 22 ft in summer). Pick any of them on the map above for rated spots and bait picks.
Ringkøbing Fjord - Southwest Pocket carries 8 mapped structure features, topping out (or rather bottoming out) at DDM measured basin, about 18 ft down.
Access data: European Environment Agency - 2025 Bathing Water Directive Sites (Denmark). Confirm conditions and fees locally before you launch.
Season dates, license requirements, and size and bag limits for Denmark waters are set by the Danish Agency for Green Transition and Aquatic Environment (current recreational fishing rules) — and special regulations can apply to Ringkøbing Fjord - Southwest Pocket specifically, so confirm the current rules before you fish. Ringkøbing Fjord has water-specific controls in addition to Denmark's national licence, species, conservation-belt and access rules. Sea trout is not promoted because the official saltwater summary protects all trout in Ringkøbing and Stadil fjords year-round; European eel fishing is also currently prohibited. Verify the live agency pages and local signs before fishing.
Check the official Denmark fishing regulations →
Danish fishing-licence portal →
Check special-area and water-specific rules →
Ringkøbing Fjord - Southwest Pocket is about 22 ft (7 m) deep at its deepest point. The depth chart comes from Danish Geodata Agency bathymetric survey data, so the contours are survey-derived rather than computer-modeled.
Official coastal monitoring from DTU Aqua Ringkøbing Fjord whitefish and bycatch study informs the european flounder, european perch, atlantic herring, european smelt, lake whitefish, atlantic mackerel, garfish, northern pike, zander, common sole, european plaice roster for Ringkøbing Fjord - Southwest Pocket. The mixed roster combines exact-water records where available with habitat-filtered regional evidence; not every species is documented at this exact water, and it is not a promise of equal abundance or a catch on a particular trip.
DDM measured basin is the top-rated area: a deep basin in about 18 ft of water that rates prime for european perch in fall. Scroll up to the map for the complete spot list by species and season.
For european flounder, 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 Ringkøbing Fjord - Southwest Pocket is regulated by the Danish Agency for Green Transition and Aquatic Environment (current recreational fishing rules). Check the official Denmark regulations for current license requirements, season dates, and size and bag limits — special regulations can apply to this specific water.
Nissum Fjord - South 30 mi · North Frisian Wadden Sea - Sylt North 50 mi, DEU · North Frisian Wadden Sea - Sylt South 57 mi, DEU · Kolding Fjord 59 mi · Vejle Fjord - Inner Survey Reach 61 mi · Limfjord - Thyborøn Entrance 63 mi · Little Belt - North 68 mi · North Frisian Wadden Sea - Amrum North 69 mi, DEU · Little Belt - Middle 69 mi · Horsens Fjord - Inner Survey Reach 70 mi · Haderslev Fjord 70 mi · Aabenraa Fjord - Inner 75 mi
See how Ringkøbing Fjord - Southwest Pocket stacks up: best zander lakes in Denmark · best northern pike lakes in Denmark · best european perch lakes in Denmark · best atlantic herring lakes in Denmark
Browse all Denmark fishing maps. See every water on DepthScout. Bathymetry credit: Danish Geodata Agency Denmark's Depth Model, 50 m resolution (DKMSL(2022) / mean sea level (EPSG:10547); 65% measured, 35% source-interpolated). 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.