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Fishing Tilley Lakes: what the data says
407-acre lake near Ontario. The lake tops out around 28 ft. The contours are modeled from the water's real shoreline and maximum depth. Treat them as a rough guide, and never use them for navigation. Here is how the season plays out for each species, straight from the data behind the map.
Cisco (Lake Herring) fishing at Tilley Lakes
In spring, cisco (lake herring) run shallow here, mostly 7 to 28 ft. Summer fish stay in 8 to 28 ft, and winter fish hold in 8 to 28 ft. Deep basin is the standout, a deep basin at roughly 24 ft, rated prime for spring cisco (lake herring). Best bite is early morning. Tie on a vertical flutter spoon (small) or a drop-shot micro plastic and you're in the game.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 7 to 28 ft | dawn & dusk | Small silver spoon, Tiny swim jig (white) |
| Summer | 8 to 28 ft | dawn | Vertical flutter spoon (small), Drop-shot micro plastic |
| Fall | 5 to 25 ft | dusk & dawn | Small casting spoon, Inline spinner (silver) |
| Winter | 8 to 28 ft | dawn | Small jigging spoon (glow/silver), Tungsten jig + minnow head |
Walleye fishing at Tilley Lakes
Start shallow in spring: walleye sit in 4 to 15 ft that time of year. Summer pushes them deeper, 8 to 28 ft, and winter fish settle into 8 to 28 ft. Break off the point is the standout, a drop-off at roughly 13 ft, rated prime for fall 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 | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 4 to 15 ft | dusk & dawn | 1/8 oz jig + minnow, Hair jig |
| Summer | 8 to 28 ft | dusk & dawn | Crawler harness on bottom bouncer, Deep crankbait (trolled) |
| Fall | 8 to 28 ft | dusk & night | Jigging rap, Jig + big minnow |
| Winter | 8 to 28 ft | dusk & dawn | Jigging spoon + minnow head, Rattle bait |
Smallmouth Bass fishing at Tilley Lakes
Spring smallmouth bass on Tilley Lakes hold shallow, usually 3 to 12 ft. They move out to 8 to 28 ft in summer and finish the year down in 8 to 28 ft. The spot to know is Main-lake point, a point in about 8 ft of water that rates prime for smallmouth bass in fall. Best bite is early morning and the evening. Tie on a drop shot (goby/minnow) or a ned rig and you're in the game.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 3 to 12 ft | dawn & dusk | Ned rig, Tube jig |
| Summer | 8 to 28 ft | dawn & dusk | Drop shot (goby/minnow), Ned rig |
| Fall | 8 to 25 ft | midday & dawn | Jerkbait, Blade bait |
| Winter | 8 to 28 ft | midday | Blade bait, Hair jig |
Rock Bass fishing at Tilley Lakes
Spring rock bass on Tilley Lakes hold shallow, usually 2 to 10 ft. By summer they slide out to 5 to 20 ft, and by winter most fish are in 8 to 28 ft. The spot to know is Main-lake point, a point in about 8 ft of water that rates prime for rock bass in summer. In summer the feeding windows fall in the evening. Summer baits: a ned rig (small) or a marabou jig gets it done.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 2 to 10 ft | midday & dawn | 1/16 oz jig + grub, Small inline spinner |
| Summer | 5 to 20 ft | dusk | Ned rig (small), Marabou jig |
| Fall | 8 to 22 ft | midday | Small tube jig, Inline spinner |
| Winter | 8 to 28 ft | midday | Tungsten jig + plastic, Small spoon + spike |
Notable structure
- Deep basin: deep basin, around 24 ft
- Break off the point: drop-off, around 13 ft
- Main-lake point: point, around 8 ft
- Secondary point: point, around 8 ft
- Shallow bay flat: weed flat, around 3 ft
- Back-bay flat: weed flat, around 3 ft
Common questions
How deep is Tilley Lakes?
Tilley Lakes is about 28 ft 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.
What fish are in Tilley Lakes?
Anglers target smallmouth bass, walleye, rock bass, cisco (lake herring) on Tilley Lakes.
Where is the best fishing spot on Tilley Lakes?
Deep basin is the top-rated area: a deep basin in about 24 ft of water that rates prime for cisco (lake herring) in spring. Open the map above to see every rated spot for each species and season.
When is the best time to fish Tilley Lakes?
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.
Nearby waters
Little Turkey Lake · Wishart Lake · Turkey Lake · Batchawana Lake · Drew Lake · Griffin Lake
See how Tilley Lakes stacks up: best smallmouth bass lakes in Ontario · best walleye lakes in Ontario · best rock bass lakes in Ontario · best cisco (lake herring) lakes in Ontario
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