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Rating depth structure for yellow perch.
Recent public catches load as you reach this section.
150-acre lake near Mahone Bay. The lake tops out around 26 ft. This chart interpolates between a real shoreline and a known maximum depth. It will point you at likely water, but it is not a navigation product. The season-by-season read for each species follows, from the map's own numbers.
Shoreline on the chart totals 4.1 miles, with a single island in the mix. A middling shoreline index (2) gives it some bays to work without being a maze. Roughly 75% of the water is 15 ft or less as modeled, the band where the food chain lives. End to end it runs roughly 1.1 mi, about 0.5 mi across. Lunenburg County claims this one. If the bite dies, Chester Harbours is 6 mi to the east.
Come spring, look for white perch tight to the bank in 4 to 15 ft. They move out to 8 to 26 ft in summer and finish the year down in 8 to 26 ft. If you only fish one area, make it Deep basin: a deep basin around 22 ft that scores prime in summer. Best bite is early morning. A small spinner rig drifted or a 1/8 oz jigging spoon is the honest summer answer here.
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 | 4 to 15 ft | dusk | Shallow bay flat (3 ft) | Small jig + curly tail, Inline spinner (silver) |
| Summer | 8 to 26 ft chart-limited; documented 15 to 40 ft | dawn | Deep basin (22 ft) | Small spinner rig drifted, 1/8 oz jigging spoon |
| Fall | 8 to 26 ft chart-limited; documented 15 to 45 ft | midday | Deep basin (22 ft) | Jigging spoon (small), Blade bait |
| Winter | 8 to 26 ft chart-limited; documented 20 to 50 ft | dusk | Deep basin (22 ft) | Small rattle spoon, Tungsten + spikes |
In spring, yellow perch run shallow here, mostly 3 to 12 ft. Summer pushes them deeper, 8 to 26 ft, and winter fish settle into 8 to 26 ft. Shallow bay flat is the standout, a weed flat at roughly 3 ft, rated prime for spring yellow perch. Time it for early morning. You won't need more than a drop-shot micro plastics or a small spoon tipped with worm 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 | 3 to 12 ft | midday & dawn | Shallow bay flat (3 ft) | Small jig + curly tail, Perch-pattern micro crank |
| Summer | 8 to 26 ft chart-limited; documented 10 to 30 ft | dawn | Deep basin (22 ft) | Drop-shot micro plastics, Small spoon tipped with worm |
| Fall | 8 to 26 ft chart-limited; documented 12 to 35 ft | midday | Deep basin (22 ft) | Jigging spoon (small), Perch rig / spreader |
| Winter | 8 to 26 ft chart-limited; documented 15 to 35 ft | midday & dawn | Deep basin (22 ft) | Tungsten jig + spikes, Rattle spoon (small) |
Count 6 structure marks on this chart. The deepest, Deep basin, sits near 22 ft.
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 Vaughans Lake specifically, so confirm the current rules before you fish.
Check the official Nova Scotia fishing regulations →
Vaughans Lake is about 26 ft (8 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 white perch, yellow perch on Vaughans Lake.
Deep basin is the top-rated area: a deep basin in about 22 ft of water that rates prime for white perch in summer. The interactive chart above rates every spot for each species and season.
For white perch, 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 Vaughans Lake 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 6 mi · Mahone Harbour 6 mi · Squid Cove 9 mi · Big Mushamush Lake 10 mi · Sherbrooke Lake 15 mi · Dauphinees Mill Lake 15 mi · Hubbards Cove 17 mi · Milipsigate Lake 18 mi · Big Lake 24 mi · Armstrong Lake 25 mi · Blind Bay 26 mi · Lewis Lake 28 mi
See how Vaughans Lake stacks up: best yellow perch lakes in Nova Scotia · best white perch lakes in Nova Scotia
More water nearby: Lunenburg County fishing maps (5 charts). Browse all Nova Scotia 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.