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Otter Lake, Ontario, Canada

Also known as:  Big Otter Lake

Otter Lake is a sparkling 1,252-acre lake located near Parry Sound, Ontario, in the Georgian Bay region known as The 30,000 Islands. The Georgian Bay is 200 miles long by 50 miles wide and covers over 5,800 square miles making it almost as large as Lake Ontario. Local legend tells of a god called Kitchikewana, who was large enough to guard the entire Georgian Bay. Kitchikewana was…
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    • All About Otter Lake, ON

    Lake Locations: Canada - Ontario, Canada -

    Otter Lake is a sparkling 1,252-acre lake located near Parry Sound, Ontario, in the Georgian Bay region known as The 30,000 Islands. The Georgian Bay is 200 miles long by 50 miles wide and covers over 5,800 square miles making it almost as large as Lake Ontario. Local legend tells of a god called Kitchikewana, who was large enough to guard the entire Georgian Bay. Kitchikewana was known for his temper and, in a fit of rage, he dug his hands into the ground and threw fistfuls of earth at the departing canoe of his true love, thus the 30,000 Islands were created. Whether formed by an angry god or massive glaciers, the Georgian Bay region is the crown jewel of the Great Lakes and a fantastic spot for a vacation or second home.

    Named Nigge-Cu-Bing (Lake of Many Otters) by the first Indian settlers, Otter Lake is located in the Township of Seguin (formerly Foley Township), in the District of Parry Sound. The lake is home to multiple islands, many of which are large enough for development. During the late 1800s, settlers were offered land grants to encourage development of the area. What is now Highway 69 served as a colonization road. Farms began to dot the landscape and agriculture became the predominant way of life. Seasonal residents began building on the lake in the early 1900s. The island properties were bought up first followed by the most desirable bays. The 24 miles of shoreline around the lake is mostly rocky with just a few sandy beaches. Today the perimeter of the lake is fully developed with cottages, permanent homes, resorts, a marina and one public beach.

    Otter Lake, also known as Big Otter Lake, is easy to find on a map due to its unique meandering shape. The “Long Arm” of the lake is a long and narrow portion that stretches out from the southeast end of the lake. “Little Otter Lake” is a smaller, shallower part of the lake at the northeast end, separated from Big Otter Lake by an area called “The Narrows”. A dam on the Boyne River on the outflow of Little Otter Lake controls the water level. The maximum depth of the lake is 147 feet, with an average depth of 36 feet.

    Otter Lake is known for its excellent trout fishing. Since 1949, the Ministry of Natural Resources has stocked the lake with lake trout and more recently rainbow trout. Anglers will also find largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, walleye, northern pike, yellow perch, black crappie, cisco, pumpkinseed bluegill, and rock bass. Little Otter Lake is too shallow for lake trout, but other game fish can be found in the crystal clear water.

    Visitors to Otter Lake can enjoy swimming, boating, canoeing, kayaking, and waterskiing during the warm summer months as well as nearby trails for hiking and biking. During the fall, the colorful foliage creates a spectacular backdrop for those getting in some last minute outdoor activities before winter’s long freeze. When snow blankets the area, trails are used for snowmobiling, cross country skiing, dog sledding, and snowshoeing. No matter what time of year, whether it is on the water or on the ice, fishing is always a challenging sport.

    Accommodations on Otter Lake range from resorts to campgrounds to cozy lakefront cottages. Although there are plenty of vacation rentals, they book quickly during the peak summer months. Real estate for purchase is also an option for anyone looking for a summer or year round home. Additional lodging can be found in nearby towns. Boaters can access the water from a public beach on the lake or through the lake’s marina. Boat rentals are available along with fishing supplies. With the many islands and secluded bays, the lake is a paddler’s paradise.

    Otter Lake’s proximity to Parry Sound and the Georgian Bay makes it a perfect vacation destination. The town of Parry Sound has the largest natural harbor on Georgian Bay and is the birthplace of hockey legend, Bobby Orr. With many recreational activities, Parry Sound offers something for everyone. Whether it’s sightseeing in your own boat or from a 30,000 Island cruise boat, exploring Georgian Bay is a must. Additional attractions include beautiful beaches, golf courses, seaplane tours, provincial parks, full service marinas, and municipal docks. If you’re hungry, there’s no shortage of choices for dining. Many restaurants dot the shoreline in local towns. Wintertime brings a whole new life of activities including snowmobiling, cross country skiing, ice fishing, dog sledding, snowshoeing and much more.

    For an interesting daytrip, the Algonquin Provincial Park is an easy drive east of Otter Lake and covers approximately 2,950 square miles. Over 2,400 lakes and 750 miles of streams and rivers are located within the park. Hiking, canoeing, camping and fishing can be enjoyed by visitors to the park. Hikers have a good chance of seeing a moose in the dense woods and there are also a small number of wolves, lynx and bears in forest.

    Whether you choose to call Otter Lake home, or just enjoy taking your vacations on this scenic lake, you are sure to find the natural beauty of the area to be mesmerizing. With areas of pristine wilderness and thousands of islands to explore, Otter Lake is outdoor enthusiast’s paradise.

    Things to Do at Otter Lake

    These are some activities in the Otter Lake, ON area visitors can enjoy:

    • Vacation Rentals
    • Fishing
    • Ice Fishing
    • Boating
    • Swimming
    • Beach
    • Canoeing
    • Kayaking
    • Water Skiing
    • Golf
    • Camping
    • Campground
    • Hiking
    • Biking
    • Cross-Country Skiing
    • Snowmobiling
    • Dog Sledding
    • Wildlife Viewing
    • Provincial Park

    What Kind of Fish Are in Otter Lake?

    Otter Lake has been known to have the following fish species:

    • Bass
    • Black Bass
    • Black Crappie
    • Bluegill
    • Cisco
    • Crappie
    • Lake Trout
    • Largemouth Bass
    • Northern Pike
    • Perch
    • Pike
    • Pumpkinseed
    • Rainbow Trout
    • Smallmouth Bass
    • Sunfish
    • Trout
    • Walleye
    • Yellow Perch
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    Find Places to Stay at Otter Lake

    If you’re considering a Otter Lake lake house rental or hotel, we’ve made it super easy to find the best rates and compare vacation accommodations at a glance. Save time using this interactive map below.

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    More Sites to Book a Otter Lake Vacation

    Our interactive Otter Lake lodging map above is an easy tool for comparing VRBO rental homes and nearby hotels with Booking.com, but there could be times when you need to expand your search for different types of accommodations. Here are some other lake lodging partners we recommend:

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    Otter Lake Statistics & Helpful Links

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    Lake Type: Natural Freshwater Lake, Dammed

    Water Level Control: District of Parry Sound

    Surface Area: 1,252 acres

    Shoreline Length: 24 miles

    Normal Elevation (Full Pond): 712 feet

    Average Depth: 35 feet

    Maximum Depth: 147 feet

    Lake Area-Population: 336

    Trophic State: Mesotrophic

    Otter Lake Map

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