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305-acre lake in Kenora District, Ontario. The lake tops out around 39 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). Below is the species-by-species picture, pulled from the same data the map uses.
On the chart, Shanty Lake draws 312 acres inside 5.5 miles of shoreline — one island included. With a shoreline index of 2.2, this water is all arms and coves — edge habitat well beyond its acreage. The shallow band under 15 ft claims about 90% of the surface — that's where the groceries are. The basin spans about 1.6 mi end to end and 0.6 mi across at its widest. The water lies in Kenora District. For a second option, Moss Lake lies 2 mi southwest.
When the water first warms, walleye slide up into 4 to 15 ft. Summer is a 15 to 35 ft game here, winter a 12 to 39 ft one. Start at Deep basin. It's a deep basin holding about 35 ft of water and rates prime come winter. The feeding windows run the evening and early morning. Keep a crawler harness on bottom bouncer or a deep crankbait (trolled) 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 | 4 to 15 ft | dusk & dawn | Secondary point (3 ft) | 1/8 oz jig + minnow, Hair jig |
| Summer | 15 to 35 ft | dusk & dawn | Deep basin (35 ft) | Crawler harness on bottom bouncer, Deep crankbait (trolled) |
| Fall | 12 to 39 ft chart-limited; documented 12 to 40 ft | dusk & night | Deep basin (35 ft) | Jigging rap, Jig + big minnow |
| Winter | 12 to 39 ft chart-limited; documented 20 to 40 ft | dusk & dawn | Deep basin (35 ft) | Jigging spoon + minnow head, Rattle bait |
When the water first warms, yellow perch slide up into 3 to 12 ft. By summer they slide out to 10 to 30 ft, and by winter most fish are in 15 to 35 ft. If you only fish one area, make it Deep basin: a deep basin around 35 ft that scores prime in fall. In summer the feeding windows fall in early morning. Keep a drop-shot micro plastics or a small spoon tipped with worm rigged through the warm months.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Start at | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 3 to 12 ft | midday & dawn | Shallow bay flat (1 ft) | Small jig + curly tail, Perch-pattern micro crank |
| Summer | 10 to 30 ft | dawn | Deep basin (35 ft) | Drop-shot micro plastics, Small spoon tipped with worm |
| Fall | 12 to 35 ft | midday | Deep basin (35 ft) | Jigging spoon (small), Perch rig / spreader |
| Winter | 15 to 35 ft | midday & dawn | Deep basin (35 ft) | Tungsten jig + spikes, Rattle spoon (small) |
The spring pattern is a shallow one: northern pike in 2 to 8 ft. As the season builds they drop to 8 to 20 ft, wintering in 5 to 15 ft. Top water on the chart: Shallow bay flat, a weed flat in the 1 ft range, prime in spring. Time it for early morning and the evening. Summer baits: a bucktail or a weedless spoon over cabbage gets it done.
| 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 | open water | Bucktail, Weedless spoon over cabbage |
| Fall | 6 to 18 ft | midday & dawn | Secondary point (3 ft) | Big rubber (Bull Dawg style), Husky-style jerkbait |
| Winter | 5 to 15 ft | midday | Shallow bay flat (1 ft) | Tip-ups, Large jigging spoon |
In spring, burbot run shallow here, mostly 12 to 39 ft. Summer keeps them at 12 to 39 ft, and they winter in 10 to 39 ft. Deep basin is the standout, a deep basin at roughly 35 ft, rated prime for spring burbot. Time it for after dark and midday. You won't need more than a heavy jig + cut bait 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 | 12 to 39 ft chart-limited; documented 25 to 70 ft | night & dusk | Deep basin (35 ft) | Glow jigging spoon + cut bait, Rattle bait (dark) |
| Summer | 12 to 39 ft chart-limited; documented 50 to 120 ft | night & midday | Deep basin (35 ft) | Heavy jig + cut bait |
| Fall | 12 to 39 ft chart-limited; documented 30 to 80 ft | night & dusk | Deep basin (35 ft) | Glow spoon + minnow head, Blade bait (slow) |
| Winter | 10 to 39 ft chart-limited; documented 15 to 60 ft | night & dusk | Deep basin (35 ft) | Glow tungsten + cut bait, Rattle spoon + minnow head |
Structure-wise the chart holds 6 features, led in depth by Deep basin at roughly 35 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 Shanty Lake specifically, so confirm the current rules before you fish.
Check the official Ontario fishing regulations →
Shanty Lake is about 39 ft (12 m) deep at its deepest point. The depth data here comes from the Ontario MNRF survey of 1983 (an MNRF lake survey).
Anglers target walleye, yellow perch, northern pike, burbot on Shanty Lake.
Deep basin is the top-rated area: a deep basin in about 35 ft of water that rates prime for walleye in winter. Scroll up to the map for the complete spot list by species and season.
For walleye, the summer bite is best in the evening and 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 Shanty 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.
Moss Lake 2 mi · Pike Lake 3 mi · Young Lake 3 mi · Whiterock Lake 3 mi · Watcomb Lake 3 mi · Towers Lake 5 mi · Hut Lake 5 mi · Elva Lake 5 mi · Ellipse L. 6 mi · Shiny Lake 7 mi · Wintering Lake 7 mi · McLaurin Lake 7 mi
See how Shanty Lake stacks up: best walleye lakes in Ontario · best northern pike lakes in Ontario · best yellow perch 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.