The most westerly Kawartha Lake on the Trent Severn, Canal Lake is aptly named. Long and narrow, Canal Lake is roughly 8.5km long by 2.5km at it’s widest, and stretches from the South-West in Bolsover to the North-East in Kirkfield. The main body of the lake is relatively shallow, with depths ranging from 4.5ft to 15ft at it’s deepest. Deeper sections are found near the entrances and exits of the lake, where the dredged depths are closer to 30ft. Canal Lake is river-fed through the Talbot River, as well as through the Kirkfield Lift Lock to the East, and flows outward through to Lake Simcoe in the West. Water levels are regulated by Parks Canada, with levels remaining relatively stable through the year – highest in the spring, and lowest in the fall.

Like its neighbours to the East, Balsam and Mitchel, properties on Canal Lake will be level and flat to the water. However, due to it’s narrow and shallow nature, shorelines along Canal Lake tend to be weedier. The emerging popularity of shoreline bubblers and aerators help residents discourage vegetative growth along their shorelines, while also benefiting fish populations through the introduction of dissolved oxygen.

There are approximately 680 waterfront properties on Canal Lake, most accessible by municipally maintained, year-round roads. Because of it’s relative proximity to Orillia, Barrie, and Newmarket, Canal Lake is home to many full-time residents that commute to larger cities.