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Rating depth structure for lake trout.
Recent public catches load as you reach this section.
81-acre lake near Cook County. The lake tops out around 60 ft. These contours are modeled — built from the real shoreline and the water's maximum depth — so read them as a guide, never as navigation. Below is the species-by-species picture, pulled from the same data the map uses.
On the chart, West Fern draws 82 acres inside 2 miles of shoreline. Index 1.6 on the shoreline: a few honest points and pockets, nothing labyrinthine. Littoral water — the productive band under ~15 ft — makes up 39% of this chart, as modeled. Tip to tip the water measures near 0.8 mi with a 0.3-mi widest point. You'll find it in Cook County. The nearest mapped water is Peter, 0 mi to the north.
The spring pattern is a shallow one: lake trout in 10 to 40 ft. Midsummer fish sit out in 18 to 60 ft before dropping to 15 to 60 ft for winter. The spot to know is Deep basin, a deep basin in about 51 ft of water that rates prime for lake trout in summer. Plan around early morning in the warm months. Summer baits: a white tube jig (deep) or a magnum spoon on downrigger gets it done.
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 | Main-lake point (15 ft) | Casting spoon over shoals, Jerkbait (shallow) |
| Summer | 18 to 60 ft chart-limited; documented 50 to 120 ft | dawn | Deep basin (51 ft) | White tube jig (deep), Magnum spoon on downrigger |
| Fall | 10 to 50 ft | dusk & dawn | Main-lake point (15 ft) | Heavy casting spoon, Jigging rap over reefs |
| Winter | 15 to 60 ft chart-limited; documented 20 to 80 ft | dawn | Deep basin (51 ft) | White tube jig, Airplane jig |
6 pieces of structure are mapped here — Deep basin, around 51 ft, is the deepest of them.
Season dates, license requirements, and size and bag limits for Minnesota waters are set by the Minnesota DNR — and special regulations can apply to West Fern specifically, so confirm the current rules before you fish.
Check the official Minnesota fishing regulations →
West Fern is about 60 ft (18 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 lake trout on West Fern.
Deep basin is the top-rated area: a deep basin in about 51 ft of water that rates prime for lake trout in summer. Scroll up to the map for the complete spot list by species and season.
For lake trout, 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 West Fern is regulated by the Minnesota DNR. Check the official Minnesota regulations for current license requirements, season dates, and size and bag limits — special regulations can apply to this specific water.
Peter 0 mi · Powell 1 mi · Howard 1 mi · Fern 1 mi · Rattle 1 mi · French 1 mi · Elm 1 mi · Ecstasy 2 mi · Little Saganaga 2 mi · Gabimichigami 2 mi · Gillis 2 mi · Crooked 3 mi
See how West Fern stacks up: best lake trout lakes in Minnesota
More water nearby: Cook County fishing maps (351 charts). Browse all Minnesota 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.