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Rating depth structure for rainbow trout.
Recent public catches load as you reach this section.
212-acre lake in British Columbia. The lake tops out around 23 ft. Depth here is modeled from the true shoreline and max depth rather than surveyed; use it to plan, not to navigate. Species by species, here's what the data says the year looks like.
The drawn water covers 212 acres wrapped in 3.9 miles of bank. With a 1.9 development index there's bank structure worth casting at, in moderation. The shallow band under 15 ft claims about 80% of the surface on the model — that's where the groceries are. The basin spans about 1.4 mi end to end and 0.4 mi across at its widest. It sits in Cariboo Regional District. If the bite dies, Henri Lake is 4 mi to the northwest.
Early season rainbow trout use the shallows, holding in 5 to 20 ft. Expect a summer slide to 6 to 23 ft, then a winter hold in 5 to 23 ft. Put Break off the point first on the milk run — a drop-off near 10 ft that grades prime for winter. In summer the feeding windows fall in early morning and the evening. Tie on a dodger + spoon (deep troll) or a flutter spoon 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 | 5 to 20 ft | dawn & dusk | Main-lake point (8 ft) | Inline spinner (silver), Small spoon |
| Summer | 6 to 23 ft chart-limited; documented 8 to 30 ft | dawn & dusk | Break off the point (10 ft) | Dodger + spoon (deep troll), Flutter spoon |
| Fall | 7 to 23 ft chart-limited; documented 10 to 35 ft | dawn & dusk | Main-lake point (8 ft) | Casting spoon, Jerkbait over shoals |
| Winter | 5 to 23 ft chart-limited; documented 8 to 40 ft | dawn | Break off the point (10 ft) | Jigging spoon, Tube jig (white) |
Spring kokanee on Ross Lake hold shallow, usually 7 to 23 ft. Depth-wise the year is flat: 7 to 23 ft in summer, 6 to 23 ft once it turns cold. The chart's best answer is Deep basin — deep basin, 20 ft, prime for spring. Prime time lands in early morning. The summer box starts with a dodger + pink/orange squid on downrigger or a kokanee bug + corn.
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 23 ft chart-limited; documented 10 to 30 ft | dawn | Deep basin (20 ft) | Small dodger + squid (pink), Wedding-ring spinner + corn |
| Summer | 7 to 23 ft chart-limited; documented 30 to 70 ft | dawn | Deep basin (20 ft) | Dodger + pink/orange squid on downrigger, Kokanee bug + corn |
| Fall | 3 to 23 ft chart-limited; documented 5 to 40 ft | dawn | Deep basin (20 ft) | Dodger + squid (deeper red/purple), Small spoon |
| Winter | 6 to 23 ft chart-limited; documented 20 to 80 ft | dawn | Deep basin (20 ft) | Small glow jig + corn or maggot, Tiny spoon |
The spring pattern is a shallow one: lake whitefish in 7 to 23 ft. The depth story barely changes: 7 to 23 ft through summer, 7 to 23 ft in winter. Top water on the chart: Deep basin, a deep basin in the 20 ft range, prime in summer. Time it for early morning. Summer baits: a blade bait vertical or a small jigging spoon 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 | 7 to 23 ft chart-limited; documented 15 to 45 ft | midday & dawn | Break off the point (10 ft) | Small jig + waxworm, Blade bait (small) |
| Summer | 7 to 23 ft chart-limited; documented 40 to 90 ft | dawn | Deep basin (20 ft) | Blade bait vertical, Small jigging spoon |
| Fall | 6 to 23 ft chart-limited; documented 8 to 30 ft | dusk | Break off the point (10 ft) | Small spoon (gold), Jig + plastic larva |
| Winter | 7 to 23 ft chart-limited; documented 25 to 70 ft | midday & dawn | Deep basin (20 ft) | Jigging spoon + bead chain, Tungsten jig + waxie |
Come spring, look for burbot tight to the bank in 7 to 23 ft. Through summer count on 7 to 23 ft; the winter hold is 6 to 23 ft. Start at Deep basin. It's a deep basin holding about 20 ft of water and rates prime come spring. Prime time lands in after dark and midday. A heavy jig + cut bait 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 | 7 to 23 ft chart-limited; documented 25 to 70 ft | night & dusk | Deep basin (20 ft) | Glow jigging spoon + cut bait, Rattle bait (dark) |
| Summer | 7 to 23 ft chart-limited; documented 50 to 120 ft | night & midday | Deep basin (20 ft) | Heavy jig + cut bait |
| Fall | 7 to 23 ft chart-limited; documented 30 to 80 ft | night & dusk | Deep basin (20 ft) | Glow spoon + minnow head, Blade bait (slow) |
| Winter | 6 to 23 ft chart-limited; documented 15 to 60 ft | night & dusk | Deep basin (20 ft) | Glow tungsten + cut bait, Rattle spoon + minnow head |
Structure-wise the chart holds 6 features, led in depth by Deep basin at roughly 20 ft.
Season dates, license requirements, and size and bag limits for British Columbia waters are set by the BC freshwater fishing synopsis — and special regulations can apply to Ross Lake specifically, so confirm the current rules before you fish.
Check the official British Columbia fishing regulations →
Ross Lake is about 23 ft (7 m) deep at its deepest point. The contours here are modeled from the water's real shape and maximum depth, so treat them as a rough guide.
Anglers target rainbow trout, kokanee, lake whitefish, burbot on Ross Lake. This isn't a survey of the water — none is published for it — but an informed estimate from the species common to the region, narrowed by this water's depth, size and each species' range.
Deep basin is the top-rated area: a deep basin in about 20 ft of water that rates prime for kokanee in spring. The interactive chart above rates every 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 Ross Lake is regulated by the BC freshwater fishing synopsis. Check the official British Columbia regulations for current license requirements, season dates, and size and bag limits — special regulations can apply to this specific water.
Henri Lake 4 mi · Owen Lake 9 mi · Beaver Lake 10 mi · Alex Graham Lake 11 mi · Callanan Lake 12 mi · Stum Lake 12 mi · Meldrum Lake 14 mi · Riske Creek Reservoir 17 mi · Knox Lake 17 mi · Anah Lake 17 mi · Dester Lake 18 mi · Twan Lake 21 mi
See how Ross Lake stacks up: best rainbow trout lakes in British Columbia · best kokanee lakes in British Columbia · best lake whitefish lakes in British Columbia · best burbot lakes in British Columbia
More water nearby: Cariboo Regional District fishing maps (445 charts). Browse all British Columbia fishing maps. See every water on DepthScout. 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.