Sign inSign up free Sign inSign up free Sign inSign up freeLake depth chart
Today's read
Recent public catches load as you reach this section.
143-acre lake in Haliburton County, Ontario. The lake tops out around 60 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 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.
These fish are listed in an exact-water agency record as forage or ecological context. They are not target-species profiles and do not affect DepthScout's Prime, Good, or Fair spot ratings.
Official Ontario MNRF Fish ON-Line record. The listing documents source-recorded presence, not present abundance or guaranteed catchability.
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.
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 | 10 to 40 ft | dawn & dusk | Secondary point (12 ft) | Casting spoon over shoals, Jerkbait (shallow) |
| Summer | 18 to 60 ft chart-limited; documented 50 to 120 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 chart-limited; documented 20 to 80 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.
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 | 10 to 40 ft | dawn & dusk | Break off the point (7 ft) | Small silver spoon, Tiny swim jig (white) |
| Summer | 18 to 60 ft chart-limited; documented 40 to 80 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 | open water | Blade bait, Hair jig |
Sheldon Lake carries 6 mapped structure features, topping out (or rather bottoming out) at Deep basin, about 59 ft down.
Access data: Geospatial Ontario - Fishing Access Points; Government of Ontario - MNR Unpatented Crown Land Shoreline; Government of Ontario - MNR Unpatented Crown Land Shoreline. Confirm conditions and fees locally before you launch.
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. 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.