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348-acre lake in Algoma District, Ontario. The lake tops out around 70 ft. The depth data here comes from the Ontario MNRF survey of 1973, a decades-old survey (a transect sounding survey). Here is how the season plays out for each species, straight from the data behind the map.
On the chart, Shelden Lake draws 350 acres inside 4.6 miles of shoreline. The shoreline is moderately structured (index 1.7) — enough points and pockets to pattern. About 17% of the surface sits shallower than 15 ft — that's the weed-and-bait zone. Call it 1.5 mi long by 0.8 mi wide at the broadest reach. You'll find it in Algoma District. Closest neighbour on DepthScout: Fish Lake, 1 mi north of here.
Spring puts brook trout in skinny water — 2 to 15 ft is the zone. As the season builds they drop to 10 to 30 ft, wintering in 3 to 20 ft. Spring brook trout concentrate at Main-lake point, a prime-rated point around 1 ft. Warm-month bites cluster around early morning and the evening. A small spoon fished deep or a trolled lake-clear wobbler + worm covers the summer program.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Start at | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 2 to 15 ft | dawn & dusk | Main-lake point (1 ft) | Small inline spinner (gold), Tiny spoon |
| Summer | 10 to 30 ft | dawn & dusk | Break off the point (1 ft) | Small spoon fished deep, Trolled lake-clear wobbler + worm |
| Fall | 2 to 15 ft | midday & dawn | Main-lake point (1 ft) | Small spoon (orange), Spinner |
| Winter | 3 to 20 ft | dawn | Break off the point (1 ft) | Small jigging spoon, Tungsten jig + plastic |
In spring, lake trout run shallow here, mostly 10 to 40 ft. Midsummer fish sit out in 21 to 70 ft before dropping to 18 to 70 ft for winter. Summer lake trout concentrate at Deep basin, a prime-rated deep basin around 70 ft. Fish it in early morning and you'll meet the bite. You won't need more than a white tube jig (deep) or a magnum spoon on downrigger most summer days.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Start at | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 10 to 40 ft | dawn & dusk | Main-lake point (1 ft) | Casting spoon over shoals, Jerkbait (shallow) |
| Summer | 21 to 70 ft | dawn | Deep basin (70 ft) | White tube jig (deep), Magnum spoon on downrigger |
| Fall | 10 to 50 ft | dusk & dawn | Main-lake point (1 ft) | Heavy casting spoon, Jigging rap over reefs |
| Winter | 18 to 70 ft | dawn | Deep basin (70 ft) | White tube jig, Airplane jig |
Spring rock bass on Shelden Lake hold shallow, usually 2 to 10 ft. They move out to 5 to 20 ft in summer and finish the year down in 12 to 30 ft. Put Main-lake point first on the milk run — a point near 1 ft that grades prime for summer. The feeding windows run the evening. The summer box starts with a ned rig (small) or a marabou jig.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Start at | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 2 to 10 ft | midday & dawn | Main-lake point (1 ft) | 1/16 oz jig + grub, Small inline spinner |
| Summer | 5 to 20 ft | dusk | Main-lake point (1 ft) | Ned rig (small), Marabou jig |
| Fall | 8 to 22 ft | midday | Break off the point (1 ft) | Small tube jig, Inline spinner |
| Winter | 12 to 30 ft | midday | Deep basin (70 ft) | Tungsten jig + plastic, Small spoon + spike |
Spring pumpkinseed on Shelden Lake hold shallow, usually 1 to 8 ft. They move out to 2 to 10 ft in summer and finish the year down in 6 to 18 ft. Put Shallow bay flat first on the milk run — a feeding flat near 1 ft that grades prime for spring. The feeding windows run the evening and early morning. The summer box starts with a micro tube or a sponge spider (fly).
| Season | Depth | Best window | Start at | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 1 to 8 ft | midday & dusk | Shallow bay flat (1 ft) | Micro jig under a float, Tiny beetle-spin |
| Summer | 2 to 10 ft | dusk & dawn | Shallow bay flat (1 ft) | Micro tube, Sponge spider (fly) |
| Fall | 4 to 14 ft | dusk & dawn | Shallow bay flat (1 ft) | Micro jig + waxworm, Small spoon tipped |
| Winter | 6 to 18 ft | dawn | Shallow feeding flat (20 ft) | Tungsten ice jig + plastic, Tiny spoon |
Shelden Lake carries 7 mapped structure features, topping out (or rather bottoming out) at Deep basin, about 70 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 Shelden Lake specifically, so confirm the current rules before you fish.
Check the official Ontario fishing regulations →
Shelden Lake is about 70 ft (21 m) deep at its deepest point. The depth data here comes from the Ontario MNRF survey of 1973, a decades-old survey (a transect sounding survey).
Anglers target brook trout, lake trout, rock bass, pumpkinseed on Shelden Lake.
Deep basin is the top-rated area: a deep basin in about 70 ft of water that rates prime for lake trout in summer. Scroll up to the map for the complete spot list by 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 Shelden 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.
Fish Lake 1 mi · Darragh Lake 2 mi · Daisy Mae Lake 2 mi · Carpenter Lake 2 mi · Desayeux Lake 3 mi · Tee Lake 4 mi · Pete's L. 4 mi · Pine Island Lake 4 mi · Saunders Lake 4 mi · Lucille Lake 4 mi · Primeau Lake 4 mi · Skookum Lake 4 mi
See how Shelden Lake stacks up: best lake trout lakes in Ontario · best brook trout lakes in Ontario · best rock bass lakes in Ontario · best pumpkinseed lakes in Ontario
More water nearby: Algoma District fishing maps (1026 charts). Browse all Ontario fishing maps or see every water on DepthScout. Bathymetry credit: state fisheries survey programs. 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.