Cottages For Sale on Lake Bernard
A broad, open lake at Sundridge with no islands at all. Sandy shallows and big views.
43 photos$999,999Waterfront cottage5 bed · 3 bath · 2000-2500 sq ft4 Crescent RoadStrongCourtesy of: ROYAL LEPAGE REAL ESTATE SERVICES LTD.
42 photos$749,000Waterfront cottage2+1 bed · 1 bath · 700-1100 sq ft772 S Bernard Lake RoadStrongCourtesy of: RE/MAX Professionals North
50 photos$949,999Waterfront cottage3 bed · 2 bath · 1100-1500 sq ft89 High Rock DriveSundridgeCourtesy of: PARKER COULTER REALTY BROKERAGE INC.
33 photos$399,000Land0 bath0 Main StreetSundridgeCourtesy of: Coldwell Banker Thompson Real Estate
44 photos$2,299,900Waterfront cottage1+2 bed · 3 bath · 1500-2000 sq ft1126A S Lake Bernard RoadStrongCourtesy of: RE/MAX Professionals North
50 photos$599,900Waterfront cottage2+1 bed · 2 bath · 1100-1500 sq ft117 Main StreetSundridgeCourtesy of: Royal LePage Lakes Of Muskoka Realty
50 photos$949,000Chalet3 bed · 2 bath · 1500-2000 sq ft388 CRESCENT RoadStrongCourtesy of: Forest Hill Real Estate Inc.
50 photos$949,000Chalet3 bed · 2 bath · 1500-2000 sq ft388 CRESCENT RoadStrongCourtesy of: FOREST HILL REAL ESTATE INC.
3 photos$599,000Land0 bath · < 700 sq ft113 Main StreetSundridgeCourtesy of: Coldwell Banker Thompson Real EstateListing data © PropTx MLS®. Information deemed reliable but not guaranteed.
Lake Bernard cottage market today
Based on 9 homes for sale right now (asking prices). Updated through the day.
Homes by price
By style
| Style | For sale | Median price |
|---|---|---|
| Waterfront cottage | 9 | $949K |
| Cottage | 7 | $949K |
| Land | 2 | $499K |
| Chalet | 2 | $949K |
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Get my instant estimateBrowse Lake Bernard cottages by type and price
- Waterfront Cottages 9
- Luxury Cottages 1
- Under $500,000 1
- Under $750,000 4
- Under $1 Million 8
- Under $2 Million 8
- Cheap Cottages 1
- Four-Season Cottages 7
- Island & Water Access Cottages 1
- Cottages with a Sandy Beach 9
- Cottages with a Bunkie 2
- Investor-Friendly Cottages 1
- Cabins 7
- Chalets 2
- Waterfront Land 2
- Building Lots & Acreage 2
Lake Bernard: the complete cottage buyer's guide
Owning a cottage on Lake Bernard
Lake Bernard is the big, deep, open lake at the edge of Sundridge in the Almaguin Highlands, and its claim to fame is simple: there is not a single island on it. That gives the lake a wide, clear sweep of water that feels more like a small inland sea than a typical cottage lake. With depths charted to about 45 m, it stays cold and clear enough to hold lake trout and whitefish.
Owning here means you have a real village on the lake. Sundridge sits on the north shore, with a free public boat launch and a beach at Lions Park, so a walk or short boat ride gets you to town. The rest of the shoreline lies in Strong Township, which runs the sandy South Lake Bernard Beach, with cottages and homes spread around the rest of the shore.
Because there are no islands to break the wind, the open middle of the lake can get rough. Lots in the bays and coves stay calmer, while those facing the long reach of open water get the sunsets and the waves. It is a good fit for buyers who want deep water and a community that still functions in the off-season.
- No islands
- Sandy shoreline
- Open water views
History of Lake Bernard
The lake was once known as Stoney Lake, for the rock along its southern shore. It was later renamed for a family who hunted and trapped in the area for many years. Settlers arrived in the second half of the 1800s, and the lake was used mainly for logging. Waterlogged logs from those drives still lie on the bottom.
Water levels are held by a concrete stop-log dam where the lake drains into Stirling Creek. It is owned by the Province and operated by the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry, with help from the property owners' association when needed. Water levels have been a recurring topic, and in 2024 the ministry committed to holding engagement sessions with lake users.
A deep lake with no islands
Lake Bernard is about 21 km² of open water with no islands at all, and it is charted to around 45.7 m deep. That combination gives it long views and cold, deep water, but also a long fetch for wind. Think about exposure when you compare lots. A south-facing cove can be glassy while the main lake is whitecapped.
There is no maze of channels to learn, which makes it an easy lake for new boaters to navigate. It also means fewer sheltered places to tuck in when a storm comes across.
Lake trout, whitefish and bass
This is a two-story fishery. Lake trout and whitefish are plentiful in the deep, cold water of this stocked lake, and rainbow and speckled trout also show up. Smallmouth bass and perch use the shallower edges, though bass fishing is limited to certain areas because so much of the lake is deep. Check Ontario's current fishing regulations before you go, since trout seasons and limits are set by the province.
Lake health: algae, phragmites and chloride
The Lake Bernard Property Owners' Association keeps a close eye on the lake. Blue-green algae was reported in early July 2020 and a warning was issued, so it is worth watching for advisories in hot summers. The association also runs a phragmites working group to remove the invasive reed, and it won a grant from FOCA to support that work.
Its conservation guide was updated in 2023 with information on rising chloride levels, which can come from road salt. Good shoreline habits, like keeping a natural buffer and maintaining your septic, matter here.
Beaches and the Sundridge waterfront
Public access is better than on most lakes this size. In Sundridge, Lions Park has a family beach, a splash pad, a playground and a boat launch that is free to the public. Victoria Beach at the end of Lake Bernard Drive is an on-leash dog beach. Strong Township runs South Lake Bernard Beach, a sandy spot with washrooms and a playground, plus several other small sandy beaches nearby.
Getting there and year-round living
Lake Bernard is about 276 km north of Toronto, between Huntsville and North Bay, and about 23 km west of Algonquin Park. Sundridge gives you a village on the lake for everyday errands. Larger services are in Huntsville to the south and North Bay to the north.
Lake Bernard sold prices by year
25 cottages, homes and lots on Lake Bernard have sold through the MLS® since 2017, 4 of them in the past 12 months. Sold prices are for members. Joining is free.
Free members see sold prices, sale-to-asking ratios and every sold listing on the lake.
| Year | Sales | Median sold | Average | Lowest | Highest | Sold vs. asking | Median days |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 to date | 4 | ||||||
| 2025 | 5 | ||||||
| 2024 | 3 | ||||||
| 2023 | 3 | ||||||
| 2021 | 8 | ||||||
| 2020 | 1 | ||||||
| 2017 | 1 | ||||||
Sold data from the PropTx MLS®, for sales reported on the board. Private and exclusive sales are not included. Figures are a guide, not an appraisal. Information deemed reliable but not guaranteed.
What to know before you buy on Lake Bernard
- Look hard at wind exposure. With no islands, lots facing the open lake take more wave action than those in coves and bays.
- Check whether the property is in Sundridge or Strong Township. Building permits, bylaws and any short-term rental rules come from different offices.
- Ask about water levels at the dock in spring and fall. The MNRF dam at Stirling Creek sets summer levels, and levels have been a topic of public discussion.
- If you plan to rent the cottage, ask the municipality what rules apply. We did not find a published short-term rental licence for Sundridge or Strong at the time of research.
- Get in touch with the Lake Bernard Property Owners' Association. It tracks algae, phragmites and chloride and publishes a conservation guide for owners.
- Budget for a proper septic inspection. Blue-green algae was reported in 2020, and nutrient control is a shared job on a lake this popular.
New to waterfront? Start with Waterfront 101 and our septic, wells and water guide.
Lake Bernard questions, answered
Does Lake Bernard have any islands?
No. Lake Bernard has no islands, and it is often described locally as the largest freshwater lake in the world without one. That gives it a wide open feel but also more wind exposure.
How deep is Lake Bernard?
The lake has been charted to about 45.7 m, or 150 ft. That depth keeps the water cold enough to support lake trout and whitefish.
How big is Lake Bernard?
Lake Bernard covers about 20.9 km². It runs roughly 7 to 8 km long and about 2.5 to 3 km across.
What fish are in Lake Bernard?
Lake trout and whitefish are the main draws in this stocked lake. Smallmouth bass, yellow perch and other panfish are also present, and rainbow and speckled trout are reported.
Is Lake Bernard good for swimming?
Yes, there are several public beaches. Sundridge's Lions Park has a family beach, and Strong Township runs South Lake Bernard Beach and other small sandy beaches. Watch for blue-green algae advisories in hot weather, as one was issued in 2020.
Where is the public boat launch on Lake Bernard?
The public launch is at Lions Park, 91 Water Street in Sundridge. It is free to use and has on-site parking.
How far is Lake Bernard from Toronto?
Lake Bernard is about 276 km north of Toronto. It sits between Huntsville and North Bay, about 23 km west of Algonquin Park.
Who controls the water level on Lake Bernard?
A provincially owned stop-log dam at the outlet into Stirling Creek controls the level. The Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry operates it to hold summer levels.
Sources
We wrote this guide from public records and the organisations below. Lake data can change, so confirm anything that matters to your purchase (permits, rental rules, water levels) with the township or agency before you buy.
- Lake Bernard (Wikipedia)
- Village of Sundridge: fishing
- Village of Sundridge: beaches and boat launch
- Village of Sundridge: Engage Lake Bernard (MNRF water levels)
- Township of Strong: beaches
- Lake Bernard Property Owners' Association: lake health
- Bernard Lake Dam (Waymarking)
- Canadian Geographical Names Database: Lake Bernard
How does Lake Bernard compare?
Put lakes side by side on size, depth, drive time, fish, listings and asking prices.
Towns on Lake Bernard
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