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Rating depth structure for lake trout.
Recent public catches load as you reach this section.
83,729-acre lake near Yellowstone National Park. North America's largest high-elevation lake. Native Yellowstone cutthroat water (NP permit required; lake trout must be kept). The lake tops out around 396 ft. The depth chart comes from U.S. Geological Survey bathymetric survey data, so the contours are survey-derived rather than computer-modeled. Every species below gets its seasonal read from the same numbers driving the chart.
The outline encloses 84,971 acres, worked by 145.9 miles of shoreline, broken up by 7 islands. An index of 3.6 puts the bank firmly in maze territory: point after pocket after cove, every one a casting target. The shallow band under 15 ft claims about 15% of the surface — that's where the groceries are. Call it 20.6 mi long by 16.8 mi wide at the broadest reach. Teton County claims this one. Lewis Lake sits 14 mi southwest — the closest neighbouring chart.
Spring puts cutthroat trout in skinny water — 3 to 15 ft is the zone. As the season builds they drop to 10 to 35 ft, wintering in 10 to 40 ft. Summer cutthroat trout concentrate at Surveyed shoreline-to-33 ft transition, a good-rated drop-off around 10 ft. Warm-month bites cluster around early morning and the evening. A trolled spoon (small) or an inline spinner covers the summer program.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Start at | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 3 to 15 ft | dawn & dusk | Surveyed shoreline-to-33 ft transition (10 ft) | Inline spinner (silver/gold), Small spoon |
| Summer | 10 to 35 ft | dawn & dusk | Surveyed shoreline-to-33 ft transition (10 ft) | Trolled spoon (small), Inline spinner |
| Fall | 5 to 25 ft | dawn & dusk | Surveyed shoreline-to-33 ft transition (10 ft) | Casting spoon, Inline spinner |
| Winter | 10 to 40 ft | dawn | Surveyed shoreline-to-33 ft transition (10 ft) | Small jigging spoon, Marabou jig |
Come spring, look for lake trout tight to the bank in 10 to 40 ft. They move out to 50 to 120 ft in summer and finish the year down in 20 to 80 ft. If you only fish one area, make it Surveyed 33-66 ft break: a drop-off around 33 ft that scores good in winter. Best bite is early morning. A white tube jig (deep) or a magnum spoon on downrigger is the honest summer answer here.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Start at | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 10 to 40 ft | dawn & dusk | Surveyed shoreline-to-33 ft transition (10 ft) | Casting spoon over shoals, Jerkbait (shallow) |
| Summer | 50 to 120 ft | dawn | Surveyed 66-98 ft break (66 ft) | White tube jig (deep), Magnum spoon on downrigger |
| Fall | 10 to 50 ft | dusk & dawn | Surveyed shoreline-to-33 ft transition (10 ft) | Heavy casting spoon, Jigging rap over reefs |
| Winter | 20 to 80 ft | dawn | Surveyed 33-66 ft break (33 ft) | White tube jig, Airplane jig |
Structure-wise the chart holds 16 features, led in depth by Surveyed 328+ ft basin 1 at roughly 328 ft.
Season dates, license requirements, and size and bag limits for Wyoming waters are set by the Wyoming Game and Fish Department — and special regulations can apply to Yellowstone Lake specifically, so confirm the current rules before you fish.
Check the official Wyoming fishing regulations →
Yellowstone Lake is about 396 ft (121 m) deep at its deepest point. The depth chart comes from U.S. Geological Survey bathymetric survey data, so the contours are survey-derived rather than computer-modeled.
Anglers target cutthroat trout, lake trout on Yellowstone Lake.
Surveyed shoreline-to-33 ft transition is the top-rated area: a drop-off in about 10 ft of water that rates good for cutthroat trout in summer. Every other rated spot, per species and season, is on the map above.
For cutthroat 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 Yellowstone Lake is regulated by the Wyoming Game and Fish Department. Check the official Wyoming regulations for current license requirements, season dates, and size and bag limits — special regulations can apply to this specific water.
Lewis Lake 14 mi · Hidden Lake (Hell & Gone) 21 mi · Feather Lake 24 mi · Grassy Lake Reservoir 29 mi · Tillery Lake 30 mi · Enos Lake 31 mi · Fish Lake 34 mi · Two Ocean Lake 36 mi · Jackson Lake 37 mi · Crater Lake 39 mi · Elk Ranch Reservoir 43 mi · Mackinaw Lake 43 mi
See how Yellowstone Lake stacks up: best lake trout lakes in Wyoming · best cutthroat trout lakes in Wyoming
More water nearby: Teton County fishing maps (16 charts). Browse all Wyoming fishing maps. See every water on DepthScout. Bathymetry credit: U.S. Geological Survey. 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.