Hi everyone. I lurk here quite a bit and have definately benefitted from the information found here. My question is probobly one that has been asked before but I hope you don't mind me bringing it up again. I'm planning my summer canoe trip and I'm just wondering what everyones favourite lakes are. I take trips into the park for a week at a time and usually spent the first day travelling all day, then camp the rest of the week. If people could tell me what lakes are their fav's in the park and maybe what makes them great then that would give me a great starting place to start researching from. Thanks to all that respond!

Big Trout is great. I also like Welcome Lake.

I'd have to say Lavieille is my favorite because it's where my dad introduced me to the park for our first trip. Fishing's good but can be spotty (like many areas) and the lake can have a Jekyl/Hyde personality but still retains its beauty. Two years ago we were on Lavieille for two days and saw only one other tripper...it was beautiful solitude.

Second place would be Burntroot - many individual islands, nooks and crannies to explore without the worry about big water. You have the alligator, rapids, some fantastic sites and multiple directions to choose from for day trips. I think I'll recommend this destination to Fred for his first solo trip.

I have been to none of the above lakes so my faves are offered without commenting on those already mentioned. I love islands. I love to camp on them and I love the way they affect the landscape. McIntosh and Timberwolf are lovely because of the ruggedness of the area and the rocky shorelines and islands that are great for swimming. We were socked in from the rain there one trip and the lake was shrouded with mist and fog but as it all lifted the next day it was like being in a dream. The beauty of the area and great swimming really struck me.

Hey Steven,

This is a subject that comes up at least once per calendar year, and, not surprisingly, around this time of year. The following is an 'old' post that should provide u with even more ideas:

http://www.network54.com/Forum/352882/thread/1141578083/last-1142191684/Whats+your+favourite+place+in+the+park-

You may notice a lot of familiar user names in that thread, a testament to the tight and dedicated community that makes up this forum.

I'll throw my vote behind Louisa, just a beautiful lake in terms of her shoreline, vista's and islands. Fishing never disappoints with the planktivorous/insectivorous population of spirited lakers residing in the crystal clear waters. Honorable mention to Butt lake (RalphB), there's something very spiritual and mysterious about her.

Least favorable 'lake' Way Lake - it was a mud hole when we went through it, up above your waist plodding through it trying to reach the exit portage to Wee. Wee wasn't much to write home about either...

SM wrote: Least favorable 'lake' Way Lake - it was a mud hole when we went through it, up above your waist plodding through it trying to reach the exit portage to Wee. Wee wasn't much to write home about either...

Ahyup.

Makes one wonder....how the H E double hockey sticks do they decide what constitutes a "canoe route"?????? I think sometimes the folks who picked "routes" and decided on the locations of portages were playing a practical joke that was mistakenly taken seriously.



Barbara

My favourite lake is the one that I haven't been to yet or the one that has nobody else on it !!

Too many to pick just one!
1. Big Porcupine - because it was my first
2. Welcome Lake - sandy beaches and far from the "beaten path"
3. Cork Lake - not well known and out of the way
4. Sunbeam lake - great island campsite

Hi; your question is excellent, but should not be exclusive to lakes.

My favourite waterway in the park is the Petawawa River, which I have paddled more that 20 times, from May to October, in heatwaves and frost and all in between.

There are two Petawawa places that bring a sense of awe to me: the final two metres of flatwater before descending into Rollaway rapids, where my heart races, where all my senses are sparking and where there is no turning back; and as I approach the tall cathedral-like wall of the Natch in calm water, paddling silently and feeling very human.

I have paddled in the Yukon, the NWT, across Northern Ontario as a guide but the Petawawa always answers the question of why do I like to paddle a canoe in wild places.

This is liking what part of Heaven do you like the most?
I say all of it! However to narrow it down, I'll do like tom, and Pick my Top 5 Lakes, and why;

1. Manitou - It's got bass and brookies, it's has islands and big vistas galore, and it's not too busy.
2. Maple - Most people pass through this lake, making it a particularly quiet lake.
3. Burntroot Lake - Very beautiful Lake, ruins to explore, islands and bays everywhere...deep in the park...little traffic.
4. Dickson Lake - This lake grows on me, every time I go there. it is an interesting lake to paddle.
5. Opeongo - yeah I know, it has motorboats on it, but yeah know what? It IS a very beautiful lake, many many sites have gorgeous beaches, islands everywhere...everything is so spread out.

+1 on Manitou. Awesome dropoffs on some of the sites. And usually pretty quiet too, as stated!

I also really liked Big Trout. No particular reason, just a nice lake. The "transitional" stretch between White to Big Trout is really peaceful.

The centre of the Universe for me is

Big Trout

Rac n

Thanks to all of you for all these ideas. After I get the kid to sleep tonight I'll be spending some quality time with my canoe route map looking at all these lakes you have mentioned. I love this forum!

I forgot to put my name onto my last post... that was me thanking you there lol

Last year I did that route and it was not bad at all. Now the lower section of Maple Cr.......



Jeff

--

Algonquin Backcountry Recreationalists - Caring for Algonquin's Backcountry - abrweb.ca

My Algonquin Park Map - Accurate, Detailed, Free

Dickson Lake, biggest fish (18 lb laker), most fish, best times and used to be secluded.

#1 Otterslide - first full day and night on my first solo trip.
#2 Tim Lake - good fishing, nice sites.
#3 all the others

Happy Isle Lake has always been my favorite.

looks over map
Travel 1 day and explore from base camp...hmmmmmmmm...some ideas:

Starting from Opeongo Lake: I'd have to agree with Racoon, from Big Trout you'd have a million day trips of all types available. The trip there would be a long day though. Taxi to happ isle portage, go through happy isle and merchant to BT.

Starting from Cedar Lake: Catfish is a fascinating lake, lots of day trips to nearby lakes too.

Starting from Smoke Lake: Head into Ragged and then Big Porcupine. Again lots of other near by lakes to go see. Also dividing lake provincial park is another day trip with some impressive old trees to see.


Karior

Lake Louisa would be my pick. It's a longer hump to get there, but what a lake. Beautiful sites and beautiful views.

What are Rence and Harry like?

Also, what do you guys prefer Pen or Clydegale?

Last year I was planning a solo trip that brought me from Rock to Pen to Welcome to Louisa to home. Started to feel ill and felt weak so did Rock, then Pen then Welcome and then back to Pen.

Took a long time to recover from illness and finally back in shape. I'm considering to do the same trip but complete it. Thought i would consider Clydegale rather than Pen and thought Harry and Rence rather than Welcome.

I actually didn't like Welcome. Found it buggy and the lake wasn't so attractive to me. Perhaps because of feeling like crap. I checked out the sites on the point on the West side and didn't like them. Was i just sick?

Harry is a nice Lake...lost a canoe there one stormy night, in the morning, a ccr'er saved my ass, and brought it back to me
There is a beach campsite on your right as you enter it from Welcome Lake.



Mark Rubino
Mark's Algonquin Park Sampler - Blog
Mark's Algonquin Park Sampler

http://www.ABRweb.ca .. Algonquin Backcountry Recreationalists - Caring for Algonquin's Backcountry

I've been to Gilmore a few times and really liked it. The lake trout pop was terrific back a number of years ago. However the lake appears to be overrun by bass now. Not that that's a bad thing, but bass and trout don't play nice together.

One lake that I have never been to but some of my fishing friends have, is Ghost. And up until now I have never read a single thread or comment on this lake here either. Probably because of the location. So many other lakes around that are(Brent access) Apparently if you like specs this is where to truly find a native spec with very bright colors. But of my trips into APP Gilmore lake sorta stuck on me for awhile. Always seemed to get the campsite at the far end...

Shawn

Bo posted about Ghost L I believe.



Jeff

--

Algonquin Backcountry Recreationalists - Caring for Algonquin's Backcountry - abrweb.ca

My Algonquin Park Map - Accurate, Detailed, Free

Yes JM, Bo and I talked about his trip there. Fishing was non-productive but then, it's a small lake off the usual route and they tend to be very hot and cold fishing-wise.

Right on guys, thanks!

I'll have to try and dig up Bo's thread and check it out.

Shawn

AP - I'm not quite sure what you mean by "Clydegale rather than Pen and Harry & Rence rather than Welcome"?

After paddling down Pen, you could also explore Clydegale, but if you're starting from Rock then you're probably getting to Clydegale through Pen. Similarly for the route your talking about you'd get to Harry & Rence either through Welcome or Louisa.

Are you specifically looking for campsite suggestions?


Now as to your impressions of Welcome - it could just be how you were feeling that day, or it might just not be your favourite lake. I always feel that you're 'on top of the world' up there. Sure you're still downstream from Harry, but I still get the feeling that the landscape falls away from Welcome. On the other hand, it always seems to get windy and cloudy in the afternoon. I don't think we've ever managed to troll completely around the lake before it gets rough.

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www.loonislandoutdoors.com

If you want to get to the top of the world go to Rence, then up the Galipo River to Galipo Lake. An eerie place that doesn't seem to get many visitors. I suspect it wouldn't take much of an effort to close the circle by going from East Galipo to Little Canoe. Seems to me there is a logging road in there somewhere that would help. For a more downstream experience that I found was a lot of fun, swim the Galipo from Welcome to the beginning of the 2170m portage. It gets pretty alder choked at the lower end, so it's easier to take to the woods and cut over to the portage a short ways above the landing.

Rob, I was talking about campsites and the staying on the lake in general. The last trip I stayed on Pen which I liked, but thought perhaps I would go down to Clydedale and stay there in stead.

As for Welcome, it was strange. Pen had nearly no bugs and Welcome was choked with them. Not biting yet as it was the first week of May but it was very frustrating. Then i became ill which really worsened the epereince. That's why I thought of Rence or Harry in stead. I just hate the idea that I didn't finsih the loop I intended on doing.

John, thanks for the input. I will check it out on the map.

I generally like to travel one day and stay put for two. I find I can do more fishing. Solo camping is great with the exception that you really run out of time due to the fact that you have to do everything yourself. Takes a heck of a long time. Makes me realize that when I'm camping with others and I feel they aren't pulling their own wait, they actually are doing something.

Sad that we are all planning so early. Ice out seems so far away.

Thanks for the feedback.

AP brings up an interesting point about his impression of a lake being jaded by him feeling ill and being hounded by bugs. Obviously everyones criteria for a great lake differs, but our memories of a lake can be influenced by how enjoyable our travels through it were. For example I finally got to see Big Trout last year and yes it was very impressive but being wind bound on an Island site for an entire day kept us from exploring its many features, likewise paddling White Trout and grassybay in 2.5' whitecaps and terrential rains took away from much of its beauty. For me the lake that I have enjoyed the most is Louisa.

If you get in early and get a good base camp on Pen
then you have many day trips to great lakes

While BigTrout is my FAV I would take the
Pen next and then the nearby lakes next ( Welcone,Harry,Rence,Louisa,Clydesgale)

All our doable as a day trip as we did these from a Clydegale base.

While some of the in portages are in the 2K range , you are travelling
light so they are no sweat and a base camp awaits you on your
likely dusk return

And all have some form of TROUT

Rac n

I have never done a solo trip staying at one location. Have always moved one day stayed two. It helps to break up the day as you are always doing something.

is burnt island lake a location you would expect to be a crowded lake? i saw on jeffery's map that it is coloured blue, does that make it a bass fishing lake?

Burnt Island Lake gets a lot of traffic because it is so close to Canoe Lake, without any really long portages to deter people. Also, there are a ton of campsites on it, so you're never alone. My group ran into a huge group of teenagers at the portage to Little Otterslide. They had about ten canoes jamming up the put-in, and were busy triple-portaging all of their unnecessary crap. Quite an annoyance for someone who packs carefully in order to do single portages. As for my favorite lake, Kioshkokwi was the first Algonquin lake I ever put a paddle into, but I'd have to agree with Dano that any lake where you're alone is the best.

Hey AP,
There are a couple of beautiful sites on Clydegale. One as you head south from the portage, just as the lake opens up into a bay on the west. Another one just around the headland full into the wind. I've got a picture of that 2nd site here: http://www.loonislandoutdoors.com/AlgonquinSpringFishing2005/ASF2005DayTwo.htm The site is probably 10 feet up from the water, but there is a decent landing area.

I've made it up to Harry a couple of times, but it's been afternoon by then and we've basically just fished down and back while day tripping from Pen. Some of the sites along Harry look nice from the water but I haven't checked them out. We've only ever made as far as the first bay on Rence coming up from Harry, so I can much about that lake.


___________________________
No your other left!
www.loonislandoutdoors.com

My favourite lake....Burnt Island. Lots of campsites,three portages off the highway and great fishing!!

Hey Rob,

Thanks for the info. I think you have made me decide to stay there for a day or two. Looks great. I assume fishing is similar to Pen?

I think this will be the plan.

Pen one night
Clydegale two nights
Rence two nights
Louisa two nights.

I hope when this thread gets brought back up in spring I will have a new favourite lake as I have not been on any of these with exception of Pen.

Thanks for the info and sorry for patially hijacking the thread.

AP