Rice Lake lies south of Peterborough, on the southern edge of the Kawarthas. Hamilton Township’s community profile talks up "world-class angling on Rice Lake" and calls Bewdley a celebrated destination for fishing. The township has about 11,000 residents in eight hamlets: Baltimore, Bewdley, Camborne, Cold Springs, Precious Corners, Plainville, Gore’s Landing and Harwood.
Facts box
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Municipality | Hamilton Township (Northumberland County), about 11,000 residents |
| Hamlets | Baltimore, Bewdley, Camborne, Cold Springs, Precious Corners, Plainville, Gore’s Landing, Harwood |
| Fisheries Management Zone | Not confirmed in our sources. Check the zone map in the Ontario Fishing Regulations Summary |
| Lake size and depth | Not confirmed on a primary source. Check Fish ON-Line |
| Nearest large hospital | Peterborough Regional Health Centre |
| Township | Hamilton Township |
Public access
Hamilton Township lists three waterfront parks. The page does not list a motorized launch ramp at any of them, so ask your host where guests launch.
| Waterfront park | Location | What the township lists |
|---|---|---|
| Bewdley Waterfront Park (Optimist Park) | 5073 Rice Lake Drive, Bewdley | Accessible marina, picnic tables, gazebos, bicycle repair station, seasonal accessible washrooms |
| Gores Landing Waterfront Park | 5310 Plank Road, Gores Landing | Water access area, concrete pier, gazebo, portable washrooms from May to mid-October; not suitable for swimming |
| Harwood Waterfront Park | 5527 Front Street, Harwood | Non-motorized water access, gazebo, seasonal accessible washrooms; not suitable for swimming |
The three parks in detail
Bewdley (Optimist Park). The township calls Optimist Park a popular destination for families. It has a pirate-themed play structure, seasonal accessible washrooms and a bicycle repair station, and it sits close to the marina.>>>
Gores Landing. The township pitches this park as a place to relax by the water, cast a line or head out on the lake. Its concrete pier and gazebo face the lake, and portable washrooms run from May through mid-October. The water access area is not suitable for swimming.
Harwood. Harwood’s park is for picnics, walks and water views. Its water access is non-motorized, so bring a canoe or kayak rather than a trailered boat. It is not suitable for swimming.
Fishing
Hamilton Township markets Rice Lake for its angling and Bewdley for fishing, and the township page shows ice-fishing huts on the frozen lake. We did not find Rice Lake named on a fisheries zone page we could read, so check the zone map in the Ontario Fishing Regulations Summary before you fish. Most anglers need an Outdoors Card and a fishing licence. Fish ON-Line maps species and rules lake by lake.
Boating on Rice Lake
If you drive a power boat on Rice Lake you need proof of competency; most boaters carry the Pleasure Craft Operator Card. Ontario waters have a federal limit of 10 km/h within 30 metres of shore for power and electric boats, with exemptions for towing a skier straight out from shore and for canals, buoyed channels and rivers under 100 m wide. Clean, drain and dry the boat and trailer when you arrive from another lake, as Ontario’s invasive species page asks. The Lake Partner map shows Secchi depth and phosphorus readings where the Lake Partner Program samples.
Swimming
The township says the Gores Landing and Harwood water access areas are not suitable for swimming. It does not say the same of Bewdley, but it does not describe a swimming beach there either, so ask before you plan a swim.
Before you book
Ask the host where guests launch a trailered boat, because the township page lists a marina at Bewdley and a pier at Gores Landing but no public ramp. Lake area, depth and species were not on a primary page we could read; Fish ON-Line has them.
Nearest town services
Peterborough Regional Health Centre serves the Peterborough area. Check its website for emergency department details. See Hospitals, groceries and essentials in the Kawarthas.
FAQ
Where are the public waterfront parks on Rice Lake?
Hamilton Township lists Bewdley, Gores Landing and Harwood. Checked November 3 2026.
Can I swim at Gores Landing or Harwood?
The township says the water access areas are not suitable for swimming. Checked November 3 2026.
Which park has a concrete pier?
Gores Landing Waterfront Park, 5310 Plank Road. Checked November 3 2026.
How many people live in Hamilton Township?
About 11,000, per the township’s community profile. Checked November 3 2026.
Cottages on this lake
Browse cottages on Rice Lake or the Kawarthas region.
Township Rules Check
Thinking of renting out a cottage here? Run the Township Rules Check for Hamilton Township. Our dataset has no confirmed short-term rental rule for this municipality yet, so confirm with its clerk before you list.
Claims table
| # | Claim | Source URL | Checked |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Hamilton Township waterfront parks: Bewdley 5073 Rice Lake Dr; Bewdley pirate-themed play structure, bicycle repair station, near marina; Gores Landing 5310 Plank Rd (concrete pier, gazebo, portable washrooms May to mid-October, cast a line or head out on the lake); Harwood 5527 Front St (non-motorized water access); Gores/Harwood not suitable for swimming; ice-fishing huts pictured. (Camping/grilling and By-law 2017-16 not on page: removed) | https://www.hamiltontownship.ca/parks-and-recreation/outdoor-recreation/waterfront-parks/ | 2026-11-03 |
| 2 | Hamilton Township community profile: about 11,000 residents; eight hamlets; ‘world-class angling on Rice Lake’; Bewdley celebrated fishing destination | https://www.hamiltontownship.ca/building-and-development/economic-development/community-profile/ | 2026-11-03 |
| 3 | Most anglers need an Outdoors Card and a fishing licence. | https://www.ontario.ca/page/fishing-licences | 2026-11-03 |
| 4 | Power boat drivers need proof of competency, most often the Pleasure Craft Operator Card. | https://tc.canada.ca/en/marine-transportation/marine-safety/pleasure-craft-operator-card | 2026-11-03 |
| 5 | Power boats may not exceed 10 km/h within 30 metres of shore, with exceptions such as towing a skier straight out from shore and canals and buoyed channels. | https://laws-lois.justice.gc.ca/eng/regulations/SOR-2008-120/FullText.html | 2026-11-03 |
| 6 | Clean, drain, dry: boat, motor and trailer | https://www.ontario.ca/page/invasive-species-ontario | 2026-11-03 |
| 7 | Lake Partner map: Secchi depth and total phosphorus from Lake Partner Program sampling sites | https://www.ontario.ca/page/map-lake-partner | 2026-11-03 |
| 8 | Fish ON-Line is the Government of Ontario’s lake-by-lake fish information tool. | https://www.ontario.ca/page/how-use-fish-line | 2026-11-03 |
| 9 | Peterborough Regional Health Centre is the hospital in Peterborough (site checked; ED details not on the page we reached) | https://www.prhc.on.ca/ | 2026-11-03 |