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Ontario is the fourth-largest Canadian province, with an overall size of more than one million square kilometers. There are approximately 250,000 lakes available for exploration.
People frequently consider the Great Lakes Ontario, Huron, Erie, and Superior right away. Even though these lakes offer a lot, more compact lakes frequently stand out.
In Ontario, there are numerous different types of lakes. Some offer spectacular beaches, some are excellent for sailing, yet others are well-known fishing locations, while others have crystal-clear waters that are wonderful for SUPing and canoeing. Parts of the lakes are accessible from cities or Ontario parks.
It depends on your interests, which will be the peak of your summer. Agenda. Start with our ranking of top Ontario lakes.
1. Lake Huron (Georgian Bay)
Georgian Bay, the name of the eastern section, lies fully inside Ontario. Except for the Bruce Peninsula, it is rough, with shorelines made of granite and, occasionally, pink rocks with a smooth surface. Killarney and Killarney Provincial Park offer stunning views of Georgian Bay, a lovely campground, and top-notch hiking paths. It is one of the best lakes.
Georgian Bay has deep, chilly water. The magnificent Wasaga beach is one of Georgian Bay’s highlights. Wasaga beach is the lengthiest freshwater beach in the world. Simply ask a local which area they think is the most beautiful if you want to start a spirited discussion.
Manitoulin Island is located at the upper Huron Lake’s endpoint. This enormous island represents the Niagara Escarpment’s northern terminus.
There are two unique characters in Lake Huron. Long beaches and limestone shorelines. These are situated in the western region, which is contiguous with the USA. The majority of the lake’s coast is heavily developed, and this portion of the lake is warm and quite shallow.
Anywhere you go, there are countless chances for recreation. Kayaking, boating, swimming and pleasure boating are all well-liked pastimes. Although fishing is very common, you have to know where to go, which often means going far offshore with specialist gear.
One of the greatest locations for camping near the lake is Killbear Provincial Park in Parry Sound. This park offers numerous great beaches, a sizable campground, and hiking paths. Bruce Peninsula National Park is a wonderful location as well.
A trip in circles around Georgian Bay can be a wonderful family holiday. Tobermory and Manitoulin Island are connected by boat; from there, you can travel east until you get to your starting point.
2. Lake Superior
A stunning illustration of nature is Lake Superior. The rocky shoreline, which is both breathtakingly beautiful and unforgiving, served as an inspiration for several of the Group of Seven’s most well-known works. It is one of the best lakes.
The most pristine water may be reached through smooth pink rocks.
The earliest of the Great Lakes is Lake Superior. Ships and boats have notoriously submerged in this massive, icy lake. That was it which V-voyageurs throughout history were the most dreaded of.
Most Ontarians consider it a place for fun, excitement, and recreation.
There are some stunning beaches in Ontario along Lake Superior.
The wide, arcing beaches of Pancake Bay and Batchawana Bay resemble anything unusual in a flashy Caribbean magazine, except for the palm trees. The shallow parts have warm, clean water. If you venture further toward the chilly water, you will likely return toward the shallows rather quickly.
Among the ought-to-see locations of this historically significant lake are the Agawa Bay pictographs. The artwork dates from around 150–400 years ago and was created by the Ojibwe people. Only calm days without crashing waves are suitable for visiting the pictographs.
Make sure to visit the Terry Fox Memorial if travelling along the north coast route. One of the greatest views of the entire lake can be had from here, looking outside of the water and toward the Sleeping Giant.
The top camping areas are Lake Superior Provincial Park, Neys Provincial Park, Sleeping Giant Provincial Park, and Pancake Bay Provincial Park, which are all located along the shorelines. A few of these parks rank well among Ontario’s top campgrounds.
Sault Ste. Marie and Thunder Bay are two of the important cities that are situated along Lake Superior’s shore. Rossport, Terrace Bay, and Marathon are examples of smaller settlements.
3. Lake Ontario
If you reside in Toronto, Lake Ontario in Toronto is just outside your front door.
The lake’s length is 300 kilometres, and from where Hamilton is located towards the west flows eastward into the St. Lawrence River. Toronto is the central city.
You should go swimming at one of the several lining beaches on the lake’s shore, even if the water is crystal clear and freezing.
Toronto, Woodbine, and the Toronto Islands have some busiest beaches. In Mississauga, Jack Darling Park is yet another popular destination for sandcastles.
Sailing is prevalent on the lake because there aren’t other boats or ships to be concerned about colliding with.
Nearly all Wednesday nights are race nights, and the sight of the lake’s surface covered with white sailboats is just magnificent.
Like most lakes, the ideal technique to encounter this is by getting into the water. Almost every marina offers boat rentals. One of the most enjoyable sensations is observing the twilight sun setting and how it reflects off the skyscrapers.
The abundance of salmon in Lake Ontario may surprise you. King salmon of gigantic size are frequently caught. Charter fishing boats are housed in a number of marinas, most notably Port Credit in Mississauga.
4.Lake Erie
The deepest and warmest of the Great Lakes is Lake Erie. Along the northern edge of Niagara Falls, in particular, the area is well-developed.
Because there aren’t many places to get into trouble, it’s not too big, it’s not too deep, etc., it is arguably the gentlest of all the lakes.
One of the finest bodies of water for activities such as fishing is Lake Erie.
Due to the abundance of available bait fish, walleye and bass develop to extraordinary sizes in this lake. Here, perch fishing is also very popular.
A great beach to visit is Crystal Beach, which is near Fort Erie. Although there is an entrance fee, the township recently made investments in new facilities and offers beach patrols.
Port Dover is another great location to access the beach; you can get ice cream there and go out on the pier.
5. Lake of the Woods
Lake of the Woods is situated near the Ontario town of Kenora, just across the Manitoba border. Apart from a few houses near to the town, this huge lake has over 14,500 islands that make up this region. It is breathtakingly beautiful and mostly empty. It just has to be found. One of the nicest lakes in Ontario is this one.
The old granite beach uncovered, lapped by clear waters, is surrounded by a combination of poplar, white pine, and jack pine trees.
The vibrant city of Kenora serves as the departure point for trips. An excellent way to experience the lake is a two-hour trip to the MS Kenora. The lake is well known for being a fantastic place to fish, and anglers have had success catching numerous species to choose from, including northern pike, walleye, bass, lake trout, and even the rare muskie to spice things up.
There are many places to stay, including opulent resorts like Totem Lodge, cottage rentals, and Kenora hotels with lake views. Sioux Narrows and Nestor Falls are additional entry locations; both provide a variety of lodging choices.
6. Lake Simcoe
Lake Simcoe is conveniently reachable as Toronto is a short time away. And it is a huge body of water.
Mara, McRae, and Sibbald Point are the three provincial parks that line the lake’s shore. These parks are all those which provide camping areas and beaches.
The lake’s deep, mild, and clear waters are well-known. There are small communities all around the lake. However, some more practical spots are accessible from Barrie, Orillia, or the hamlet of Beaverton.
Every location has parks by the sea with vegetation, boat launching areas, and bathing facilities.
Boating for enjoyment is the norm here. On sunny summer weekends, many boats can be seen exploring the lake and taking in the splendor.
Swimming is a popular activity when stopping at shallow, sandy locations. To locate the boats near Fox Island and Snake Island, simply keep your eyes out for all the vessels anchored slightly offshore.
People who wish to catch perch enjoy fishing at Lake Simcoe.
In Beaverton, the winter season is the best time to complete this task because renting an ice house is so commonly available.
7. Rainy Lake
One of Ontario’s best-kept secrets, Rainy Lake, is near the community of Fort Frances and sits on the US-Canada border.
Huge white and red pine trees adorn the rocky coastlines, which are also inhabited by beavers, bears, moose, wolves, and other species of waterfowl.
Excellent bass, walleye, and fishing for northern pike are available at the lake.
If you know where to look, you’ll have a decent chance of capturing one of these three in trophy size.
The clear water warms up each summer. There aren’t many beaches in the area, but Pither’s Point Park in Fort Frances or Sandpoint Island are your best bets if you’re on a boat and want to swim along a sandy beach.
Visits to the lake’s attractions should be considered from the border’s two sides.
Some of the main draws are Kettle Falls, a popular boating destination, and two mermaid statues. On the lake, cottages are also found, albeit scattered and seemingly infrequently.
In Fort Frances, there are a good number of lodging options. The La Place Rendez-Vous Hotel and the recently renovated Bayview Motel are the ideal places to stay if you want quick access to the lake.
With a dock and good launch facility near the city center, Rainy Lake is very accessible from Fort Frances.
8. Lake Muskoka
To witness how the rich and famous spend their summers, travel to the renowned Muskoka Region, a few hours north of Toronto.
The granite shorelines of the stunning Lake Muskoka are lined with towering white and scarlet pine trees. The same coastlines are also where grand cottages and boathouses can be found.
A voyage on the RMS Segwun or Wenonah II is one of the best ways to experience the lake. The principal town on Lake Muskoka, Gravenhurst, is where these boats depart from. The boats’ tours of the lake include a stop at the well-known “millionaire’s row.
If you have your own boat, you can launch it at any of the lake’s marinas, and the water is properly marked for potential hazards.
9. Lac Seul
With approximately 5,000 kilometres of shoreline, the lake is enormous, stretching more than 240 miles in length. With so many islands and coves, it is a sailing paradise. With record-breaking walleye, big, and muskie northern pike, the fishing is excellent here.
Renting a houseboat with all the amenities is one of the more well-liked methods for lake exploration. These are available in lengths between 19 and 22 metres and come equipped with every convenience imaginable, including power generation and potable tap.
10. Lake Nipissing
You might hear the great voyageurs’ tunes as you gather in front of your fireplace.
This is because Lake Nipissing was a crucial component of the network of lakes that allowed these brave men to participate in the fur trade.
French River’s entrance into Georgian Bay is in North Bay. The lake runs 65 kilometers to the west.
The lake is remarkable since, on average, it is just 4.5 meters deep. As a result, it always gets warm and pleasant in the summer, and the various sandbars and beaches are perfect for day trips.
Despite severe conservation regulations, the lake has good walleye and northern pike fishing.
Therefore, don’t forget to explore Ontario’s picturesque lakes while you’re there.
Last Updated on by Sathi Chakraborty
