Lake depth chart
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Recent public catches load as you reach this section.
2,016-acre lake in Thunder Bay 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 a transect sounding survey by the Ontario MNRF. What the data behind the map says about each species, season by season:
Springwater Lake maps at 2,025 acres behind 14.6 miles of shoreline — one island included. An index of 2.3 puts the bank firmly in maze territory: point after pocket after cove, every one a casting target. Littoral water — the productive band under ~15 ft — makes up 60% of this chart. Call it 3.5 mi long by 1.9 mi wide at the broadest reach. It sits in Thunder Bay District. Its nearest charted neighbour, Dumbbell Lake, is 2 mi to the north.
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.
In spring, cisco (lake herring) run shallow here, mostly 10 to 40 ft. Summer keeps them at 12 to 40 ft, and they winter in 12 to 40 ft. Deep basin is the standout, a deep basin at roughly 39 ft, rated prime for spring cisco (lake herring). Time it for early morning. You won't need more than a vertical flutter spoon (small) or a drop-shot micro plastic most summer days.
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 | Deep basin (39 ft) | Small silver spoon, Tiny swim jig (white) |
| Summer | 12 to 40 ft chart-limited; documented 40 to 80 ft | dawn | Deep basin (39 ft) | Vertical flutter spoon (small), Drop-shot micro plastic |
| Fall | 5 to 25 ft | dusk & dawn | Break off the point (1 ft) | Small casting spoon, Inline spinner (silver) |
| Winter | 12 to 40 ft chart-limited; documented 20 to 60 ft | dawn | Deep basin (39 ft) | Small jigging spoon (glow/silver), Tungsten jig + minnow head |
In spring, yellow perch run shallow here, mostly 3 to 12 ft. Midsummer fish sit out in 10 to 30 ft before dropping to 15 to 35 ft for winter. Fall yellow perch concentrate at Deep basin, a prime-rated deep basin around 39 ft. Fish it in early morning and you'll meet the bite. You won't need more than a drop-shot micro plastics or a small spoon tipped with worm most summer days.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Start at | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 3 to 12 ft | midday & dawn | Shallow bay flat (1 ft) | Small jig + curly tail, Perch-pattern micro crank |
| Summer | 10 to 30 ft | dawn | Shallow feeding flat (13 ft) | Drop-shot micro plastics, Small spoon tipped with worm |
| Fall | 12 to 35 ft | midday | Deep basin (39 ft) | Jigging spoon (small), Perch rig / spreader |
| Winter | 15 to 35 ft | midday & dawn | Deep basin (39 ft) | Tungsten jig + spikes, Rattle spoon (small) |
Early season northern pike use the shallows, holding in 2 to 8 ft. Summer is an 8 to 20 ft game here, winter a 5 to 15 ft one. The chart's best answer is Shallow bay flat — weed flat, 1 ft, prime for spring. Best bite is early morning and the evening. Tie on a bucktail or a weedless spoon over cabbage and you're in the game.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Start at | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 2 to 8 ft | midday & dawn | Shallow bay flat (1 ft) | #5 inline spinner, Spoon (red/white) |
| Summer | 8 to 20 ft | dawn & dusk | Shallow feeding flat (13 ft) | Bucktail, Weedless spoon over cabbage |
| Fall | 6 to 18 ft | midday & dawn | Shallow feeding flat (13 ft) | Big rubber (Bull Dawg style), Husky-style jerkbait |
| Winter | 5 to 15 ft | midday | Shallow feeding flat (13 ft) | Tip-ups, Large jigging spoon |
In spring, lake whitefish run shallow here, mostly 12 to 40 ft. Summer keeps them at 12 to 40 ft, and they winter in 12 to 40 ft. Deep basin is the standout, a deep basin at roughly 39 ft, rated prime for summer lake whitefish. Time it for early morning. You won't need more than a blade bait vertical or a small jigging spoon most summer days.
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 | 12 to 40 ft chart-limited; documented 15 to 45 ft | midday & dawn | Shallow feeding flat (13 ft) | Small jig + waxworm, Blade bait (small) |
| Summer | 12 to 40 ft chart-limited; documented 40 to 90 ft | dawn | Deep basin (39 ft) | Blade bait vertical, Small jigging spoon |
| Fall | 8 to 30 ft | dusk | Break off the point (1 ft) | Small spoon (gold), Jig + plastic larva |
| Winter | 12 to 40 ft chart-limited; documented 25 to 70 ft | midday & dawn | Deep basin (39 ft) | Jigging spoon + bead chain, Tungsten jig + waxie |
Structure-wise the chart holds 8 features, led in depth by Deep basin at roughly 39 ft.
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 Springwater Lake specifically, so confirm the current rules before you fish.
Check the official Ontario fishing regulations →
Springwater Lake is about 40 ft (12 m) deep at its deepest point. The depth data here comes from a transect sounding survey by the Ontario MNRF.
Anglers target cisco (lake herring), yellow perch, northern pike, lake whitefish on Springwater Lake.
Deep basin is the top-rated area: a deep basin in about 39 ft of water that rates prime for cisco (lake herring) in spring. Every other rated spot, per species and season, is on the map above.
For cisco (lake herring), 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 Springwater 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.
Dumbbell Lake 2 mi · Ansig Lake 4 mi · Fleming Lake 4 mi · Mollison Lake 4 mi · Greta Lake 6 mi · Isobel Lake 9 mi · Cavell Lake 10 mi · Lyons Lake 11 mi · Bankfield Lake 12 mi · Clover Lake 12 mi · Burrows Lake 13 mi · Bliss Lake 14 mi
See how Springwater Lake stacks up: best northern pike lakes in Ontario · best yellow perch lakes in Ontario · best lake whitefish lakes in Ontario · best cisco (lake herring) lakes in Ontario
More water nearby: Thunder Bay District fishing maps (662 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.