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143-acre lake in Haliburton County, Ontario. The lake tops out around 60 ft. The depth data here comes from a transect sounding survey by the Ontario MNRF. Below is the species-by-species picture, pulled from the same data the map uses.
Traced from the shoreline, Sheldon Lake runs 144 acres with 6.2 miles of edge, with a single island in the mix. A development index of 3.7 means a maze of bays and points: far more casting targets than a round bowl of the same size. About 34% of the surface sits shallower than 15 ft — that's the weed-and-bait zone. Call it 1.9 mi long by 0.6 mi wide at the broadest reach. The water lies in Haliburton County. The nearest mapped water is Little Gull Lake, 2 mi to the east.
The spring pattern is a shallow one: lake trout in 10 to 40 ft. As the season builds they drop to 18 to 60 ft, wintering in 15 to 60 ft. Top water on the chart: Deep basin, a deep basin in the 59 ft range, prime in summer. Time it for early morning. Summer baits: a white tube jig (deep) or a magnum spoon on downrigger gets it done.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Start at | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 10 to 40 ft | dawn & dusk | Secondary point (12 ft) | Casting spoon over shoals, Jerkbait (shallow) |
| Summer | 18 to 60 ft | dawn | Deep basin (59 ft) | White tube jig (deep), Magnum spoon on downrigger |
| Fall | 10 to 50 ft | dusk & dawn | Secondary point (12 ft) | Heavy casting spoon, Jigging rap over reefs |
| Winter | 15 to 60 ft | dawn | Deep basin (59 ft) | White tube jig, Airplane jig |
Come spring, look for cisco (lake herring) tight to the bank in 10 to 40 ft. Expect a summer slide to 18 to 60 ft, then a winter hold in 20 to 60 ft. Start at Deep basin. It's a deep basin holding about 59 ft of water and rates prime come summer. Prime time lands in early morning. A vertical flutter spoon (small) or a drop-shot micro plastic is the honest summer answer here.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Start at | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 10 to 40 ft | dawn & dusk | Break off the point (7 ft) | Small silver spoon, Tiny swim jig (white) |
| Summer | 18 to 60 ft | dawn | Deep basin (59 ft) | Vertical flutter spoon (small), Drop-shot micro plastic |
| Fall | 5 to 25 ft | dusk & dawn | Break off the point (7 ft) | Small casting spoon, Inline spinner (silver) |
| Winter | 20 to 60 ft | dawn | Deep basin (59 ft) | Small jigging spoon (glow/silver), Tungsten jig + minnow head |
In spring, smallmouth bass run shallow here, mostly 3 to 12 ft. Summer pushes them deeper, 10 to 30 ft, and winter fish settle into 20 to 45 ft. Secondary point is the standout, a point at roughly 12 ft, rated prime for fall smallmouth bass. Time it for early morning and the evening. You won't need more than a drop shot (goby/minnow) or a ned rig most summer days.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Start at | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 3 to 12 ft | dawn & dusk | Main-lake point (5 ft) | Ned rig, Tube jig |
| Summer | 10 to 30 ft | dawn & dusk | Secondary point (12 ft) | Drop shot (goby/minnow), Ned rig |
| Fall | 8 to 25 ft | midday & dawn | Secondary point (12 ft) | Jerkbait, Blade bait |
| Winter | 20 to 45 ft | midday | Break off the point (7 ft) | Blade bait, Hair jig |
Sheldon Lake carries 6 mapped structure features, topping out (or rather bottoming out) at Deep basin, about 59 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 Sheldon Lake specifically, so confirm the current rules before you fish.
Check the official Ontario fishing regulations →
Sheldon Lake is about 60 ft (18 m) deep at its deepest point. The depth data here comes from a transect sounding survey by the Ontario MNRF.
Anglers target lake trout, cisco (lake herring), smallmouth bass on Sheldon Lake.
Deep basin is the top-rated area: a deep basin in about 59 ft of water that rates prime for lake trout in summer. The interactive chart above rates every spot for each species and season.
For lake trout, 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 Sheldon 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.
Little Gull Lake 2 mi · Scrabble Lake 2 mi · Black Lake 2 mi · Clear Lake 3 mi · Victoria Lake 3 mi · Gull Lake 3 mi · Little Bob Lake 4 mi · Cedar Lake 4 mi · Moore Lake 4 mi · North Pigeon Lake 4 mi · Clear Lake 5 mi · Bob Lake 5 mi
See how Sheldon Lake stacks up: best smallmouth bass lakes in Ontario · best lake trout lakes in Ontario · best cisco (lake herring) lakes in Ontario
More water nearby: Haliburton County fishing maps (295 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.