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Rating depth structure for lake trout.
Recent public catches load as you reach this section.
486-acre lake near Ohio. The lake tops out around 60 ft. The depth chart comes from published agency bathymetric survey data, so the contours are survey-derived rather than computer-modeled. The rest of this page walks each species through its year, using the map's own scoring.
Drawn out, this is 479 acres of water rimmed by 8.5 miles of bank. An index of 2.8 puts the bank firmly in maze territory: point after pocket after cove, every one a casting target. About 20% of the surface sits shallower than 15 ft — that's the weed-and-bait zone. The basin spans about 2.6 mi end to end and 0.8 mi across at its widest. The nearest mapped water is Woodhull Lake, 8 mi to the northwest.
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 NYSDEC lake map. The listing documents source-recorded presence, not present abundance or guaranteed catchability.
In spring, brook trout run shallow here, mostly 2 to 15 ft. Midsummer fish sit out in 10 to 30 ft before dropping to 3 to 20 ft for winter. Spring brook trout concentrate at Main-lake point, a prime-rated point around 15 ft. Fish it in early morning and the evening and you'll meet the bite. 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 (15 ft) | Small inline spinner (gold), Tiny spoon |
| Summer | 10 to 30 ft | dawn & dusk | Break off the point (36 ft) | Small spoon fished deep, Trolled lake-clear wobbler + worm |
| Fall | 2 to 15 ft | midday & dawn | Main-lake point (15 ft) | Small spoon (orange), Spinner |
| Winter | 3 to 20 ft | dawn | Shallow bay flat (6 ft) | Small jigging spoon, Tungsten jig + plastic |
In spring, brown bullhead run shallow here, mostly 2 to 8 ft. Summer pushes them deeper, 3 to 12 ft, and winter fish settle into 10 to 25 ft. Shallow bay flat is the standout, a feeding flat at roughly 6 ft, rated prime for summer brown bullhead. Time it for after dark and the evening.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Start at | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 2 to 8 ft | dusk & night | Shallow bay flat (6 ft) | |
| Summer | 3 to 12 ft | night & dusk | Shallow bay flat (6 ft) | |
| Fall | 5 to 15 ft | dusk | Shallow bay flat (6 ft) | |
| Winter | 10 to 25 ft | midday | open water |
Spring puts lake trout in skinny water — 10 to 40 ft is the zone. As the season builds they drop to 18 to 60 ft, wintering in 15 to 60 ft. Summer lake trout concentrate at Deep basin, a prime-rated deep basin around 60 ft. Warm-month bites cluster around early morning. A white tube jig (deep) or a magnum spoon on downrigger covers the summer program.
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 | Main-lake point (15 ft) | Casting spoon over shoals, Jerkbait (shallow) |
| Summer | 18 to 60 ft chart-limited; documented 50 to 120 ft | dawn | Deep basin (60 ft) | White tube jig (deep), Magnum spoon on downrigger |
| Fall | 10 to 50 ft | dusk & dawn | Main-lake point (15 ft) | Heavy casting spoon, Jigging rap over reefs |
| Winter | 15 to 60 ft chart-limited; documented 20 to 80 ft | dawn | Deep basin (60 ft) | White tube jig, Airplane jig |
The chart marks 7 structure features on South Lake; the deepest is Deep basin at about 60 ft.
Access data: New York State DEC — Boat Launches (FishNY). Confirm conditions and fees locally before you launch.
| Date | Species | Count | Size |
|---|---|---|---|
| September 2025* | Brook Trout | 2,000 | ~4" |
| September 2025* | Brook Trout | 3,500 | ~4.2" |
| September 2025* | Brook Trout | 700 | ~4" |
| September 2025* | Brook Trout | 400 | ~4.1" |
| April 2025* | Lake Trout | 1,450 | ~7" |
| October 2024* | Brook Trout | 16,000 | ~4.8" |
| September 2024* | Brook Trout | 2,000 | ~3.9" |
| September 2024* | Brook Trout | 700 | ~3.9" |
* Approximate date (agency reports month or season only). Source: NYSDEC fish-stocking lists, retrieved 2026-09-23.
Season dates, license requirements, and size and bag limits for New York waters are set by the New York DEC — and special regulations can apply to South Lake specifically, so confirm the current rules before you fish.
Check the official New York fishing regulations →
South Lake is about 60 ft (18 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, brown bullhead, lake trout on South Lake.
Deep basin is the top-rated area: a deep basin in about 60 ft of water that rates prime for lake trout in summer. 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.
Yes — per NYSDEC fish-stocking lists records, South Lake was most recently stocked September 2025 with 2,000 brook trout. The full stocking history is listed above.
Fishing on South Lake is regulated by the New York DEC. Check the official New York regulations for current license requirements, season dates, and size and bag limits — special regulations can apply to this specific water.
Woodhull Lake 8 mi · Nicks Lake 13 mi · Limekiln Lake 14 mi · Jerseyfield Lake 16 mi · Fourth Lake 17 mi · Kayuta Lake 17 mi · Piseco Lake 18 mi · Moss Lake 19 mi · Lower Browns Tract Pond 22 mi · Sacandaga Lake 23 mi · Twitchell Lake 23 mi · Brantingham Lake 23 mi
See how South Lake stacks up: best lake trout lakes in New York · best brook trout lakes in New York · best brown bullhead lakes in New York
Browse all New York 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.