Paddling — Flatwater.
Steenburg Lake's island archipelago — Crab, Dewey's, Picket, Bateman's, Uncle Bob's, and Powers — sits 3.2 kilometres long by 2.8 kilometres wide off Steenburg Lake North Road in Limerick Township. The lake's outflow drains south via Bass Creek into Limerick Lake, where the public launch ramp at the dam and Martins Landing access open a connected flatwater chain through cottage-country Hastings.
The brief.
The Steenburg–Limerick chain is a paddler-friendly flatwater system rather than a long-distance canoe route — six islands and several bays inside Steenburg, then a creek descent to Limerick Lake. Best season is May through October; black-fly and mosquito pressure is locally pronounced May through July, so the late-summer window is the most comfortable.
Access is from Steenburg Lake Public Beach (off Steenburg Lake North Road) and from Limerick Lake's public launch ramp at the dam plus Martins Landing on the southwest shore. McGeachie Conservation Area covers 500 acres of forest, swamp, and beaver ponds along Steenburg's shore — a worthwhile mid-paddle stop.
Downstream from Limerick Lake, the system continues via Beaver Creek and the Crowe River toward the Bay of Quinte at Trenton, but most paddling stays on the named lakes.
2. places.
- 01
Limerick Lake
Public launch ramp at the dam plus Martins Landing access on the southwest shore; cold-water spawning lake reaching about 35 metres deep, drains south to the Crowe system.
- 02
Steenburg Lake
Six islands (Crab, Dewey's, Picket, Bateman's, Uncle Bob's, Powers) with two named bays and two peninsulas (Sunset Point, The Headland); McGeachie Conservation Area frames the northern shore.
Today's read.
Temperature (0.6°C) below the typical range.