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492-acre lake in Algoma District, Ontario. The lake tops out around 40 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 1971, a decades-old survey (a transect sounding survey). What follows comes from the same scoring engine that paints the spots above.
The drawn water covers 495 acres wrapped in 11.5 miles of bank, with 14 islands 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 79% of the surface sits shallower than 15 ft — that's the weed-and-bait zone. Figure 2.5 mi of water from one end to the other, 1 mi at the beam. It sits in Algoma District. Pine L. 35 sits 1 mi south — the closest neighbouring chart.
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.
Spring brook trout on South Branch Lake hold shallow, usually 2 to 15 ft. By summer they slide out to 10 to 30 ft, and by winter most fish are in 3 to 20 ft. The chart's best answer is Break off the point — drop-off, 10 ft, prime for summer. Prime time lands in early morning and the evening. The summer box starts with a small spoon fished deep or a trolled lake-clear wobbler + worm.
| 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 (10 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 (10 ft) | Small jigging spoon, Tungsten jig + plastic |
Spring puts walleye in skinny water — 4 to 15 ft is the zone. Warm water sends them out to 15 to 35 ft; cold water stacks them in 20 to 40 ft. Deep basin is the standout, a deep basin at roughly 40 ft, rated prime for winter walleye. Plan around the evening and early morning in the warm months. A crawler harness on bottom bouncer or a deep crankbait (trolled) covers the summer program.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Start at | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 4 to 15 ft | dusk & dawn | Break off the point (10 ft) | 1/8 oz jig + minnow, Hair jig |
| Summer | 15 to 35 ft | dusk & dawn | Break off the point (10 ft) | Crawler harness on bottom bouncer, Deep crankbait (trolled) |
| Fall | 12 to 40 ft | dusk & night | Break off the point (10 ft) | Jigging rap, Jig + big minnow |
| Winter | 20 to 40 ft | dusk & dawn | Deep basin (40 ft) | Jigging spoon + minnow head, Rattle bait |
The spring pattern is a shallow one: pumpkinseed in 1 to 8 ft. As the season builds they drop to 2 to 10 ft, wintering in 6 to 18 ft. Top water on the chart: Shallow bay flat, a weed flat in the 2 ft range, prime in spring. Time it for the evening and early morning. Summer baits: a micro tube or a sponge spider (fly) gets it done.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Start at | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 1 to 8 ft | midday & dusk | Shallow bay flat (2 ft) | Micro jig under a float, Tiny beetle-spin |
| Summer | 2 to 10 ft | dusk & dawn | Shallow bay flat (2 ft) | Micro tube, Sponge spider (fly) |
| Fall | 4 to 14 ft | dusk & dawn | Shallow feeding flat (12 ft) | Micro jig + waxworm, Small spoon tipped |
| Winter | 6 to 18 ft | dawn | Shallow feeding flat (12 ft) | Tungsten ice jig + plastic, Tiny spoon |
The chart marks 7 structure features on South Branch Lake; the deepest is Deep basin at about 40 ft.
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 South Branch Lake specifically, so confirm the current rules before you fish.
Check the official Ontario fishing regulations →
South Branch Lake is about 40 ft (12 m) deep at its deepest point. The depth data here comes from the Ontario MNRF survey of 1971, a decades-old survey (a transect sounding survey).
Anglers target brook trout, walleye, pumpkinseed on South Branch Lake.
Deep basin is the top-rated area: a deep basin in about 40 ft of water that rates prime for walleye in winter. Open the map above to see every rated spot for each 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 South Branch 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.
Pine L. 35 1 mi · Armour Lake 2 mi · Shadow Lake 2 mi · Jet Lake 2 mi · Welcome Lake 2 mi · Tujak Lake 3 mi · Gravel Lake 3 mi · Dead Lake 5 mi · Foxwell L. (Hoffman L. 9) 5 mi · Nahwegezhic L. 11 5 mi · Lac Cherie 5 mi · Nahwegezhic L. 4 6 mi
See how South Branch Lake stacks up: best walleye lakes in Ontario · best brook trout lakes in Ontario · best pumpkinseed lakes in Ontario
More water nearby: Algoma District fishing maps (1026 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.