Map of Big Salmon Lake with depth contours

Big Salmon Lake

44.54° N, 76.4976° W

Depth contours from the 1969 government survey. Not for navigation.

Download the depth map (SVG)

Big Salmon Lake is 39.6 m deep at its deepest point, deeper than 88% of the 2,688 surveyed lakes in Ontario. It covers 1.62 km² and lies 2.8 km west of Buck Lake.

Government surveys have recorded 6 fish species here, including rock bass, smallmouth bass and largemouth bass.

Maximum depth
39.6 msurveyed 1969
deeper than 88% of the 2,688 surveyed lakes in Ontario
Area
1.62 km²
larger than 77% of the 18,731 lakes in Ontario
Shoreline
14.4 km
longer than 82% of the 18,731 lakes in Ontario
Fish species
6
more than 57% of the 2,454 surveyed lakes in Ontario
Elevation
159 m

Today on the water

10.4 °C

Mostly CloudyWind WNW 12 km/h

Observed at Sydenham, as of 9:00 a.m. EDT

choppy Estimated waves, next 12 hours: up to 0.2 m. Around 12 p.m., wind from the northwest: the northwest shore is sheltered, waves build toward the southeast shore.

Hourly forecast, next 24 hours
Time10 a.m.1 p.m.4 p.m.7 p.m.10 p.m.1 a.m.4 a.m.7 a.m.
Wind km/hW 15NW 30NW 30NW 15var. 5var. 5var. 5var. 5
Gusts km/h5050
Waves (est.) m0.10.20.20.10.1
Temp. °C101315127201
Precip. %404020200000

Today: A mix of sun and cloud. 40 percent chance of showers this morning and early this afternoon. Wind becoming northwest 30 km/h gusting to 50 near noon. High 15. UV index 4 or moderate.

Weather: Sydenham (local forecast), as of 9:03 a.m. EDT

Sun and moon

Civil dawn
6:44 a.m.
Sunrise
7:13 a.m.
Sunset
6:31 p.m.
Civil dusk
7:01 p.m.
Moonrise
6:05 a.m.
Moonset
5:50 p.m.
Moon
Waning crescent, 1% lit

Air Quality Health Index

1 low risk

Kingston, as of 9:00 a.m. EDT

Data Source: Environment and Climate Change Canada. Local times.

How waves are estimated

Significant wave height from the forecast hourly wind and the open-water distance (fetch) upwind, using the SMB method (US Army Corps of Engineers Shore Protection Manual, 1984), rounded up to the next 0.1 m. It is not a measurement: gusts, leftover swell and shoals can make water rougher. Under 0.2 m: calm; 0.2–0.5 m: choppy; over 0.5 m: rough.

Depth

21% of Big Salmon Lake is shallower than 3 m, and 34% is deeper than 20 m.

How to read it: the lake’s area is sorted from the shore to the deepest point. Where the curve is flat, large areas share one depth (flats and weed beds); where it drops, depth changes quickly (drop-offs).

The government depth survey from 1969 records a maximum depth of 39.6 m, drawn from 36 depth contours.

Not for navigation. Depths are from government surveys and may be outdated.

Fish

Sport fish by the share of the 7 government surveys that recorded them.

  • Rock Bass7 of 7
  • Smallmouth Bass6 of 7
  • Largemouth Bass3 of 7
  • Pumpkinseed3 of 7
  • Lake Trout2 of 7
Other species (1)
  • White Sucker 6

Numbers are the surveys that recorded each species.

Eating your catch

The provincial guide to eating fish (2026) sets limits for 7 species from Big Salmon Lake. Maximum meals per month:

SpeciesLengthGeneral populationSensitive population*Contaminant
Bluegill15-20 cm1616Precautionary
Lake Trout50-55 cm164Mercury, PCB
Largemouth Bass30-35 cm164Mercury
Smallmouth Bass35-40 cm124Mercury
Yellow Perch20-25 cm1612Precautionary
Cisco (Lake Herring)25-30 cm168Mercury
White Sucker40-45 cm1616Precautionary

* As defined in the guide, including children and people who are or may become pregnant. Limits are for the length the guide lists most often; they change with the size of the fish. Read the official guide

Fishing regulations: Fisheries Management Zone 18. Check seasons and limits before you fish.

Getting on the water

1 listed boat launch. marks launches on the map.