Paddling — Flatwater.
Sturgeon, Cameron, Balsam, Pigeon, and Lake Scugog form the central Kawartha lake chain inside the municipality, all connected by the Trent–Severn Waterway. The Pigeon River through Omemee and the Burnt River into Cameron Lake at Fenelon Falls add tributary paddling.
Balsam Lake at 256.3 m is the highest navigable point on the Trent–Severn — the watershed-summit lake on the system, where the canoe and kayak waters open into one of the highest paddleable elevations on a managed Ontario waterway.
The brief.
The Kawartha lake chain is connected: a paddler can move between lakes by locking through Trent–Severn lockstations during navigation season (mid-May through mid-October), or by portaging around the lock walls. Most launches share access points with motorboat traffic, so weekday and shoulder-season trips read quieter.
The Pigeon River and Burnt River tributaries offer more sheltered current-only paddling. Balsam Lake Provincial Park has launch infrastructure and rental concession on-site during the operating season; the other lakes use municipal and lockstation launches.
Best season is May through October.
7. places.
- 01
Sturgeon Lake
Central Trent–Severn lake; lockstation access at Fenelon Falls (Lock 34) and Bobcaygeon (Lock 32).
- 02
Cameron Lake
Connected to Sturgeon via Lock 34 at Fenelon Falls; receives the Burnt River.
- 03
Balsam Lake
Highest navigable point on the Trent–Severn at 256.3 m; access at Balsam Lake Provincial Park.
- 04
Pigeon Lake
Trent–Severn lake on the eastern side of the chain.
- 05
Lake Scugog
Southern Kawartha lake; Ken Reid CA wetland access.
- 06
Pigeon River through Omemee
Tributary paddling near Emily Provincial Park.
- 07
Burnt River
Flows into Cameron Lake at Fenelon Falls.
Today's read.
Temperature (3.9°C) below the typical range.