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Rating depth structure for atlantic mackerel.
Shared by DepthScout anglers. Exact spots stay private, always.
23-acre Squid Cove fishing map with contributor-qualified CHS NONNA survey contours (80% measured, 100% assessed), four measured spots, regional DFO cod, mackerel and forage evidence, seasonal connected-water launch guidance, and current groundfish, mackerel and CSSP rules. The water tops out around 41 ft. The depth chart comes from CHS bathymetric survey data, so the contours are survey-derived rather than computer-modeled. The season-by-season read for each species follows, from the map's own numbers.
The drawn water covers 23 acres wrapped in 1.1 miles of bank. With a 1.6 development index there's bank structure worth casting at, in moderation. About 67% of the surface sits shallower than 15 ft — that's the weed-and-bait zone. The basin spans about 0.4 mi end to end and 0.2 mi across at its widest. If the bite dies, Chester Harbours is 4 mi to the southwest.
Spring puts atlantic cod in skinny water — 8 to 41 ft is the zone. Summer fish stay in 10 to 41 ft, and winter fish hold in 9 to 41 ft. Squid Cove surveyed central basin is the standout, a deep basin at roughly 28 ft, rated prime for winter atlantic cod. Plan around early morning in the warm months. A heavy metal jig or a large soft-plastic jig covers the summer program.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Start at | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 8 to 41 ft | dawn | Squid Cove western surveyed entrance edge (9 ft) | Diamond jig, Heavy bucktail |
| Summer | 10 to 41 ft | dawn | Squid Cove surveyed central basin (28 ft) | Heavy metal jig, Large soft-plastic jig |
| Fall | 7 to 41 ft | dawn | Squid Cove western surveyed entrance edge (9 ft) | Diamond jig, Bucktail with teaser |
| Winter | 9 to 41 ft | midday | Squid Cove surveyed central basin (28 ft) | Heavy vertical jig |
Spring puts atlantic mackerel in skinny water — 5 to 41 ft is the zone. Summer fish stay in 8 to 41 ft, and winter fish hold in 10 to 41 ft. Summer atlantic mackerel concentrate at Squid Cove surveyed central basin, a prime-rated deep basin around 28 ft. Warm-month bites cluster around early morning and the evening. A feather rig or a small vertical jig covers the summer program.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Start at | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 5 to 41 ft | dawn & dusk | Squid Cove western surveyed entrance edge (9 ft) | Mackerel feather rig, Small silver jig |
| Summer | 8 to 41 ft | dawn & dusk | Squid Cove surveyed central basin (28 ft) | Feather rig, Small vertical jig |
| Fall | 6 to 41 ft | dawn & dusk | Squid Cove surveyed central basin (28 ft) | Compact silver jig, Sparse feather rig |
| Winter | 10 to 41 ft | midday | Squid Cove surveyed central basin (28 ft) | Small deep jig |
5 pieces of structure are mapped here — Squid Cove surveyed deepest basin cell, around 41 ft, is the deepest of them.
Access data: Nova Scotia Parks. Confirm conditions and fees locally before you launch.
Season dates, license requirements, and size and bag limits for Nova Scotia waters are set by the Nova Scotia sportfishing rules — and special regulations can apply to Squid Cove specifically, so confirm the current rules before you fish.
Check the official Nova Scotia fishing regulations →
Squid Cove is about 41 ft (12 m) deep at its deepest point. The depth chart comes from CHS bathymetric survey data, so the contours are survey-derived rather than computer-modeled.
Anglers target atlantic cod, atlantic mackerel on Squid Cove.
Squid Cove surveyed central basin is the top-rated area: a deep basin in about 28 ft of water that rates prime for atlantic cod in winter. Scroll up to the map for the complete spot list by species and season.
For atlantic cod, 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 Squid Cove is regulated by the Nova Scotia sportfishing rules. Check the official Nova Scotia regulations for current license requirements, season dates, and size and bag limits — special regulations can apply to this specific water.
Chester Harbours 4 mi · Dauphinees Mill Lake 7 mi · Hubbards Cove 8 mi · Vaughans Lake 9 mi · Mahone Harbour 12 mi · Big Lake 17 mi · Big Mushamush Lake 18 mi · Blind Bay 18 mi · Lewis Lake 19 mi · Sherbrooke Lake 21 mi · Cranberry Lake 22 mi · Beaver Lake 24 mi
See how Squid Cove stacks up: best atlantic mackerel lakes in Nova Scotia · best atlantic cod lakes in Nova Scotia
Browse all Nova Scotia fishing maps or see every water on DepthScout. Bathymetry credit: CHS NONNA 10 (CHS Chart Datum (CD); 80% measured, 20% source-interpolated). 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.