Cottages For Sale in Kawartha Lakes
The City of Kawartha Lakes is a large, mostly rural municipality northeast of Toronto. Its big lakes are linked by the Trent-Severn Waterway, with lock towns such as Bobcaygeon and Fenelon Falls.
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Towns and townships in Kawartha Lakes
Buying a cottage in Kawartha Lakes
Kawartha Lakes is a single-tier city that replaced the former Victoria County. It is about the size of a typical Ontario county and is mostly rural. Lindsay is the largest town and the seat. Bobcaygeon, Fenelon Falls, Omemee and Woodville are the other main centres, with many smaller villages between them. Highways 7, 35 and 115 are the main routes in. Listings here usually show a community name along with Kawartha Lakes.
The Trent-Severn Waterway crosses the city from Bobcaygeon to Kirkfield. Parks Canada runs locks at Bobcaygeon, Fenelon Falls, Rosedale, Kirkfield and Lindsay. Sturgeon, Cameron and Balsam lakes are on the main route, so a cottage on any of them can reach hundreds of kilometres of boating. These are warm, fairly shallow lakes with bass, walleye and muskie. North of Coboconk and Norland the land changes to Canadian Shield, with rockier, quieter lakes such as Four Mile, Shadow and Head.
Many waterfront homes here are on year-round municipal roads, and a good number are lived in full time. Most still rely on a well and septic system, so inspections matter. Weed growth and water clarity vary a lot from bay to bay, so visit in midsummer if you can. Water levels on the waterway are managed by Parks Canada. The city licenses short-term rentals, so check the rules before you count on rental income.
Getting there: About 1.5 to 2.5 hours from Toronto.
- Trent-Severn Waterway
- Lock towns
- Sturgeon Lake
- Balsam Lake
- Bass, walleye and muskie
Kawartha Lakes questions
How far is Kawartha Lakes from Toronto?
It depends on where you are going, because the city is very large. Lindsay and the southern villages are about 1.5 hours from downtown Toronto in normal traffic. Bobcaygeon and Fenelon Falls are closer to 2 hours. Coboconk, Norland and the northern lakes can take about 2.5 hours.
Is Kawartha Lakes a city or a region?
Both, in a way. The City of Kawartha Lakes is a single-tier municipality that covers the former Victoria County. There are no separate townships inside it. Places such as Bobcaygeon, Fenelon Falls and Lindsay are communities within the city. The Kawartha Lakes are also a chain of lakes that extends east into Peterborough County.
Which lakes in Kawartha Lakes are on the Trent-Severn Waterway?
Within the city, the main route passes through Pigeon Lake, Sturgeon Lake, Cameron Lake, Balsam Lake, Mitchell Lake and Canal Lake. Locks at Bobcaygeon, Fenelon Falls, Rosedale and Kirkfield join them. Lindsay connects to Sturgeon Lake by the Scugog River and its own lock. Four Mile Lake and Head Lake are not on the waterway.
Do I need a licence to rent out a cottage in Kawartha Lakes?
The City of Kawartha Lakes has a licensing by-law for short-term rental businesses, and owners apply to the city for a licence. The rules, fees and conditions can change, so read the current requirements on the city website before you buy a property with rental plans in mind.
Lakes in Kawartha Lakes
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