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Rating depth structure for atlantic mackerel.
Shared by DepthScout anglers. Exact spots stay private, always.
892-acre Sambro Harbour fishing map with contributor-qualified CHS NONNA survey contours (63.99% measured, 100% assessed), four measured harbour, mouth and basin spots, regional DFO cod, mackerel and forage evidence, working-harbour context, and current groundfish, mackerel and CSSP rules. The water tops out around 64 ft. The depth chart comes from CHS bathymetric survey data, so the contours are survey-derived rather than computer-modeled. The rest of this page walks each species through its year, using the map's own scoring.
The outline encloses 891 acres, worked by 8.7 miles of shoreline, with 4 islands in the mix. With a 2.1 development index there's bank structure worth casting at, in moderation. About 25% of the surface sits shallower than 15 ft — that's the weed-and-bait zone. Call it 2.1 mi long by 1.5 mi wide at the broadest reach. Kidston Lake sits 9 mi north — the closest neighbouring chart.
Spring puts atlantic cod in skinny water — 13 to 64 ft is the zone. Summer fish stay in 16 to 64 ft, and winter fish hold in 15 to 64 ft. Sambro Harbour surveyed central basin is the standout, a deep basin at roughly 40 ft, rated prime for winter atlantic cod. Plan around early morning in the warm months. A heavy metal jig or a large soft-plastic jig covers the summer program.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Start at | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 13 to 64 ft | dawn | Sambro Harbour surveyed mouth edge (31 ft) | Diamond jig, Heavy bucktail |
| Summer | 16 to 64 ft | dawn | Sambro Harbour surveyed central basin (40 ft) | Heavy metal jig, Large soft-plastic jig |
| Fall | 11 to 64 ft | dawn | Sambro Harbour surveyed mouth edge (31 ft) | Diamond jig, Bucktail with teaser |
| Winter | 15 to 64 ft | midday | Sambro Harbour surveyed central basin (40 ft) | Heavy vertical jig |
Spring puts atlantic mackerel in skinny water — 5 to 45 ft is the zone. As the season builds they drop to 12 to 64 ft, wintering in 16 to 64 ft. Summer atlantic mackerel concentrate at Sambro Harbour surveyed central basin, a prime-rated deep basin around 40 ft. Warm-month bites cluster around early morning and the evening. A feather rig or a small vertical jig covers the summer program.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Start at | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 5 to 45 ft | dawn & dusk | Sambro Harbour surveyed mouth edge (31 ft) | Mackerel feather rig, Small silver jig |
| Summer | 12 to 64 ft | dawn & dusk | Sambro Harbour surveyed central basin (40 ft) | Feather rig, Small vertical jig |
| Fall | 10 to 64 ft | dawn & dusk | Sambro Harbour surveyed central basin (40 ft) | Compact silver jig, Sparse feather rig |
| Winter | 16 to 64 ft | midday | Sambro Harbour surveyed central basin (40 ft) | Small deep jig |
8 pieces of structure are mapped here — Sambro Harbour surveyed deepest basin cell, around 64 ft, is the deepest of them.
Access data: Fisheries and Oceans Canada — Small Craft Harbours. Confirm conditions and fees locally before you launch.
Season dates, license requirements, and size and bag limits for Nova Scotia waters are set by the Nova Scotia sportfishing rules — and special regulations can apply to Sambro Harbour specifically, so confirm the current rules before you fish.
Check the official Nova Scotia fishing regulations →
Sambro Harbour is about 64 ft (20 m) deep at its deepest point. The depth chart comes from CHS bathymetric survey data, so the contours are survey-derived rather than computer-modeled.
Anglers target atlantic cod, atlantic mackerel on Sambro Harbour.
Sambro Harbour surveyed central basin is the top-rated area: a deep basin in about 40 ft of water that rates prime for atlantic cod in winter. Every other rated spot, per species and season, is on the map above.
For atlantic cod, the summer bite is best in early morning. Each species page section below lists the seasonal windows, and the map shows a live NOW badge when you're inside one.
Fishing on Sambro Harbour is regulated by the Nova Scotia sportfishing rules. Check the official Nova Scotia regulations for current license requirements, season dates, and size and bag limits — special regulations can apply to this specific water.
Kidston Lake 9 mi · Williams Lake 10 mi · Long Lake 11 mi · Chocolate Lake 12 mi · Blind Bay 13 mi · Governor Lake 13 mi · Morris Lake 13 mi · Russell Lake 14 mi · Maynard Lake 14 mi · Bissett Lake 14 mi · Oat Hill Lake 14 mi · Big Lake 14 mi
See how Sambro Harbour stacks up: best atlantic mackerel lakes in Nova Scotia · best atlantic cod lakes in Nova Scotia
Browse all Nova Scotia fishing maps or see every water on DepthScout. Bathymetry credit: CHS NONNA 10 (CHS Chart Datum (CD); 64% measured, 36% 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.