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Rating depth structure for rainbow trout.
Recent public catches load as you reach this section.
10-acre lake in Cochrane District, Ontario. The lake tops out around 40 ft. The contours come from a model of the real basin shape and its known max depth. Read them as probabilities, not soundings, and keep them out of navigation decisions. Species by species, here's what the data says the year looks like.
On the chart, Swallow Lake draws 10 acres inside 0.6 miles of shoreline. Nearly circular (index 1.4), so the story is the bottom, not the bank. The shallow band under 15 ft claims about 38% of the surface on the model — that's where the groceries are. Figure 0.3 mi of water from one end to the other. You'll find it in Cochrane District. Closest neighbour on DepthScout: Pelican Lake, 1 mi south 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. Shoreline break is the standout, a drop-off at roughly 18 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 | Shallow bay flat (5 ft) | Small inline spinner (gold), Tiny spoon |
| Summer | 10 to 30 ft | dawn & dusk | Shoreline break (18 ft) | Small spoon fished deep, Trolled lake-clear wobbler + worm |
| Fall | 2 to 15 ft | midday & dawn | open water | Small spoon (orange), Spinner |
| Winter | 3 to 20 ft | dawn | Shoreline break (18 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 Shoreline break, a prime-rated drop-off around 18 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 | Shoreline break (18 ft) | Inline spinner (silver), Small spoon |
| Summer | 8 to 30 ft | dawn & dusk | Shoreline break (18 ft) | Dodger + spoon (deep troll), Flutter spoon |
| Fall | 10 to 35 ft | dawn & dusk | Shoreline break (18 ft) | Casting spoon, Jerkbait over shoals |
| Winter | 8 to 40 ft | dawn | Shoreline break (18 ft) | Jigging spoon, Tube jig (white) |
The chart marks 4 structure features on Swallow Lake; the deepest is Deep basin at about 34 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 Swallow Lake specifically, so confirm the current rules before you fish.
Check the official Ontario fishing regulations →
Swallow Lake is about 40 ft (12 m) deep at its deepest point. The contours here are modeled from the water's real shape and maximum depth, so treat them as a rough guide.
Anglers target brook trout, rainbow trout on Swallow Lake.
Shoreline break is the top-rated area: a drop-off in about 18 ft of water that rates prime for rainbow trout in winter. The map above holds the full rated-spot list for every 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 Swallow 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.
Pelican Lake 1 mi · Pheasant Lake 1 mi · Gallinule Lake 2 mi · Rogers Lake 2 mi · Kingfisher Lake 4 mi · Eagle Lake 4 mi · Heron Lake 5 mi · Blue Goose Lake 5 mi · Widgeon Lake 5 mi · Bittern Lake 6 mi · Canary Lake 6 mi · Pintail Lake 6 mi
See how Swallow Lake stacks up: best rainbow trout lakes in Ontario · best brook trout lakes in Ontario
More water nearby: Cochrane District fishing maps (673 charts). Browse all Ontario fishing maps. See every water on DepthScout. 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.