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Rating depth structure for smallmouth bass.
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39-acre lake near Alger County. The lake tops out around 40 ft. The depth chart comes from published agency bathymetric survey data, so the contours are survey-derived rather than computer-modeled. Here is how the season plays out for each species, straight from the data behind the map.
On the chart, Sitka Lake draws 37 acres inside 1.3 miles of shoreline. The shoreline is moderately structured (index 1.6) — enough points and pockets to pattern. About 66% of the surface sits shallower than 15 ft — that's the weed-and-bait zone. The basin spans about 0.5 mi end to end and 0.2 mi across at its widest. You'll find it in Alger County. Closest neighbour on DepthScout: Weber Lake, 1 mi southwest of here.
In spring, brook trout run shallow here, mostly 2 to 15 ft. Summer pushes them deeper, 10 to 30 ft, and winter fish settle into 3 to 20 ft. Break off the point is the standout, a drop-off at roughly 23 ft, rated prime for summer brook trout. Time it for early morning and the evening. You won't need more than a small spoon fished deep or a trolled lake-clear wobbler + worm most summer days.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Start at | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 2 to 15 ft | dawn & dusk | Main-lake point (9 ft) | Small inline spinner (gold), Tiny spoon |
| Summer | 10 to 30 ft | dawn & dusk | Break off the point (23 ft) | Small spoon fished deep, Trolled lake-clear wobbler + worm |
| Fall | 2 to 15 ft | midday & dawn | Main-lake point (9 ft) | Small spoon (orange), Spinner |
| Winter | 3 to 20 ft | dawn | Shallow bay flat (7 ft) | Small jigging spoon, Tungsten jig + plastic |
Spring puts rainbow trout in skinny water — 5 to 20 ft is the zone. As the season builds they drop to 8 to 30 ft, wintering in 8 to 40 ft. Winter rainbow trout concentrate at Break off the point, a prime-rated drop-off around 23 ft. Warm-month bites cluster around early morning and the evening. A dodger + spoon (deep troll) or a flutter spoon covers the summer program.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Start at | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 5 to 20 ft | dawn & dusk | Main-lake point (9 ft) | Inline spinner (silver), Small spoon |
| Summer | 8 to 30 ft | dawn & dusk | Break off the point (23 ft) | Dodger + spoon (deep troll), Flutter spoon |
| Fall | 10 to 35 ft | dawn & dusk | Main-lake point (9 ft) | Casting spoon, Jerkbait over shoals |
| Winter | 8 to 40 ft | dawn | Break off the point (23 ft) | Jigging spoon, Tube jig (white) |
Come spring, look for brown trout tight to the bank in 3 to 25 ft. Expect a summer slide to 12 to 40 ft, then a winter hold in 5 to 35 ft. Start at Break off the point. It's a drop-off holding about 23 ft of water and rates prime come summer. Prime time lands in after dark and early morning. A spoon at the thermocline or a deep stickbait (night) is the honest summer answer here.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Start at | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 3 to 25 ft | dawn & dusk | Main-lake point (9 ft) | Stickbait off planer boards (shallow), Small spoon along mud lines |
| Summer | 12 to 40 ft | night & dawn | Break off the point (23 ft) | Spoon at the thermocline, Deep stickbait (night) |
| Fall | 5 to 30 ft | dusk & dawn | Main-lake point (9 ft) | Jerkbait over gravel, Casting spoon |
| Winter | 5 to 35 ft | dawn | Break off the point (23 ft) | Jigging spoon, Small stickbait (slow) |
In spring, chinook salmon run shallow here, mostly 5 to 40 ft. Summer keeps them at 12 to 40 ft, and they winter in 12 to 40 ft. Summer chinook salmon concentrate at Deep basin, a prime-rated deep basin around 35 ft. Fish it in early morning and the evening and you'll meet the bite. You won't need more than a flasher + fly (green/white) or a magnum spoon on downrigger most summer days.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Start at | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 5 to 40 ft | dawn & dusk | Break off the point (23 ft) | Trolled spoon (orange/gold), Stickbait off planer boards |
| Summer | 12 to 40 ft | dawn & dusk | Deep basin (35 ft) | Flasher + fly (green/white), Magnum spoon on downrigger |
| Fall | 8 to 40 ft | dawn & dusk | Break off the point (23 ft) | J-plug (glow), Flasher + fly |
| Winter | 12 to 40 ft | midday | Deep basin (35 ft) | Small spoon on a slow troll, Stickbait deep |
The spring pattern is a shallow one: coho salmon in 3 to 25 ft. Midsummer fish sit out in 12 to 40 ft before dropping to 12 to 40 ft for winter. The spot to know is Deep basin, a deep basin in about 35 ft of water that rates prime for coho salmon in summer. Plan around early morning and the evening in the warm months. Summer baits: a dodger + fly or a medium spoon above the thermocline gets it done.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Start at | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 3 to 25 ft | dawn & dusk | Main-lake point (9 ft) | Small orange dodger + peanut fly, Thin spoon (orange/silver) |
| Summer | 12 to 40 ft | dawn & dusk | Deep basin (35 ft) | Dodger + fly, Medium spoon above the thermocline |
| Fall | 8 to 40 ft | dawn & dusk | Main-lake point (9 ft) | Casting spoon, Spinner (chartreuse) |
| Winter | 12 to 40 ft | midday | Deep basin (35 ft) | Small spoon, slow troll |
Early season cisco (lake herring) use the shallows, holding in 10 to 40 ft. Even in summer they hold at 12 to 40 ft; winter keeps them in 12 to 40 ft. The chart's best answer is Deep basin — deep basin, 35 ft, prime for spring. Best bite is early morning. Tie on a vertical flutter spoon (small) or a drop-shot micro plastic and you're in the game.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Start at | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 10 to 40 ft | dawn & dusk | Deep basin (35 ft) | Small silver spoon, Tiny swim jig (white) |
| Summer | 12 to 40 ft | dawn | Deep basin (35 ft) | Vertical flutter spoon (small), Drop-shot micro plastic |
| Fall | 5 to 25 ft | dusk & dawn | Break off the point (23 ft) | Small casting spoon, Inline spinner (silver) |
| Winter | 12 to 40 ft | dawn | Deep basin (35 ft) | Small jigging spoon (glow/silver), Tungsten jig + minnow head |
Sitka Lake also holds yellow perch (10 to 30 ft in summer), northern pike (8 to 20 ft in summer), smallmouth bass (10 to 30 ft in summer), rock bass (5 to 20 ft in summer), pumpkinseed (2 to 10 ft in summer), brown bullhead (3 to 12 ft in summer), burbot (12 to 40 ft in summer). Pick any of them on the map above for rated spots and bait picks.
The chart marks 5 structure features on Sitka Lake; the deepest is Deep basin at about 35 ft.
| Date | Species | Count | Size |
|---|---|---|---|
| May 20 | Brook trout | 748 | ~22.2" |
Source: Michigan DNR fish-stocking database, retrieved 2026-08-18.
Season dates, license requirements, and size and bag limits for Michigan waters are set by the Michigan DNR — and special regulations can apply to Sitka Lake specifically, so confirm the current rules before you fish.
Check the official Michigan fishing regulations →
Sitka Lake is about 40 ft (12 m) deep at its deepest point. The depth chart comes from published agency bathymetric survey data, so the contours are survey-derived rather than computer-modeled.
Anglers target brook trout, rainbow trout, brown trout, chinook salmon, coho salmon, cisco (lake herring), yellow perch, northern pike, smallmouth bass, rock bass, pumpkinseed, brown bullhead, burbot on Sitka Lake. This isn't a survey of the lake — none is on record for it — but an informed estimate from the species listed for the nearest surveyed lakes in the region, filtered to this lake's depth and habitat.
Deep basin is the top-rated area: a deep basin in about 35 ft of water that rates prime for chinook salmon 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.
Yes — per Michigan DNR fish-stocking database records, Sitka Lake was most recently stocked May 20 with 748 brook trout. The full stocking history is listed above.
Fishing on Sitka Lake is regulated by the Michigan DNR. Check the official Michigan regulations for current license requirements, season dates, and size and bag limits — special regulations can apply to this specific water.
Weber Lake 1 mi · Niemi Lake 2 mi · Mitchell Lake 3 mi · Gypsy Lake 5 mi · Pickerel Lake 5 mi · McKay Lake 5 mi · Deadman Lake 6 mi · Bearfoot Lake 6 mi · Snyder Lake 6 mi · Grand Sable Lake 6 mi · Bay Lake, East 7 mi · Tahquamenon Lake #3 7 mi
See how Sitka Lake stacks up: best smallmouth bass lakes in Michigan · best northern pike lakes in Michigan · best rainbow trout lakes in Michigan · best yellow perch lakes in Michigan
More water nearby: Alger County fishing maps (46 charts). Browse all Michigan fishing maps or 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.