Big Rideau Lake

Lake facts

• Surface area

  47.0 km²

  Public record · Ontario MNR Aquatic Resource Area (ARA) Water Poly Segment, Land Information Ontario open data (data used by Fish ON-Line) · checked November 5 2026

• Deepest point

  95.0 m

  Public record · Ontario MNR Aquatic Resource Area (ARA) Water Poly Segment, Land Information Ontario open data (data used by Fish ON-Line) · checked November 5 2026

• Boating rules

  Schedule 2: no power-driven or electric vessels in Hoggs Bay (Lots 8 to 11, Concession 4, Tay Valley). Schedule 5: 10 km/h at Rideau Ferry (535 m below to 650 m above the bridge), the approach to Adams Lake, the entrance to Hoggs Bay by the Murphys Point boat ramp, Fancy-Free Island, south of Colonel By Island, Portland harbour and Mill Bay, and the entrance to Muskrat Hole; 5 km/h in Muskrat Hole itself. Elsewhere on the lake the general rule applies: 10 km/h within 30 m of shore (Vessel Operation Restriction Regulations, s. 2(7)).

  Public record · Transport Canada, Schedules of the Vessel Operation Restriction Regulations (TP 15587), 2nd edition April 2026 · checked November 5 2026

• Fish in the lake

  Walleye, Northern Pike, Muskellunge, Smallmouth Bass, Largemouth Bass, Lake Trout, Brook Trout, Lake Whitefish, Cisco, Yellow Perch, Black Crappie, Bluegill, Pumpkinseed, Rock Bass, Burbot, Brown Bullhead. These game and pan fish are recorded in MNR lake data; not all are common today.

  Public record · Ontario MNR Aquatic Resource Area (ARA) Water Poly Segment, Land Information Ontario open data (data used by Fish ON-Line) · checked November 5 2026

• Fishing zone

  Zone 18

  Public record · Fisheries Management Zone 18, Ontario Fishing Regulations Summary, ontario.ca · checked November 5 2026

• Water clarity

  Lake Partner Program volunteer data: 2025 average water clarity (Secchi depth) 5.1 m from 5 readings; 2025 average total phosphorus 16.7 micrograms per litre from 1 samples. Only one phosphorus sample in 2025.

  Public record · Ontario Lake Partner Program open data, Secchi depth and total phosphorus files (2025 release), data.ontario.ca/dataset/ontario-lake-partner · checked November 5 2026

• Boat launches

  Provincial data lists 7 boat launch or access points on or beside the lake (0 marked municipal, provincial or federal; others private or not stated). Check ownership, fees and parking locally.

  Public record · Ontario MNR Fishing Access Point layer, Land Information Ontario open data (points within 400 m of the lake outline) · checked November 5 2026

• Parks on the lake

  Murphys Point Provincial Park (ontarioparks.ca/park/murphyspoint).

  Public record · Ontario Parks: Murphys Point Provincial Park ('Located on Big Rideau Lake') · checked November 5 2026

• Lake association

  Big Rideau Lake Association

  Public record · Big Rideau Lake Association website · checked November 5 2026

General information only. Lake rules and conditions change: check the official source before you swim, boat or fish.