Big Gull Lake
Over 6,000 acres of pristine Canadian Shield lake with 30+ islands, world-class fishing, and 88 km of shoreline to explore.
Plan Your Trip
6,000 Acres
of Pristine Water
One of Ontario's best-kept secrets. Crystal-clear, spring-fed water surrounded by Canadian Shield forest. You'll rarely see another boat.
Two Distinct Basins
Big Gull Lake stretches 21 km through the Canadian Shield with a maximum depth of 85 feet. The deeper, rockier east basin favours walleye and smallmouth, while the shallower west basin — known as Little Gull Lake — is home to largemouth bass and pike.
East Basin
West Basin (Little Gull Lake)
25 Island Campsites
Managed by North Frontenac Parklands, these paddle-in campsites are scattered across the lake's islands and shoreline. $25/night, May through October.
Interactive Lake Map
Fishing spots, boat launches, marinas, camping, trails, and landmarks — everything you need to explore Big Gull Lake in one place. Click any marker for details.
World-Class Fishing
Big Gull Lake is one of Ontario's best-kept fishing secrets. Cast from the dock, paddle out in a kayak, or rent a boat from Camp's Bay Marina next door.
Walleye
Spring & FallBig Gull Lake is renowned for walleye fishing. Best in spring and fall.
Smallmouth Bass
SummerAbundant smallmouth bass throughout the lake's rocky shorelines and around the 30+ islands.
Largemouth Bass
SummerFound in the shallower bays and weed beds along the 88 km of shoreline.
Northern Pike
Spring & SummerPike lurk in the weedy shallows — great for casting from shore or kayak fishing.
Perch
Year-roundPerfect for kids and beginners — catch them right off the dock.
Lake Whitefish
Fall & WinterA less common but prized catch in Big Gull Lake's deeper waters.
30+ Islands to Explore
Crystal-Clear Water
Big Gull Lake is spring-fed with water quality that has been monitored since 1973 by the Mississippi Valley Conservation Authority. The main basin is classified as oligotrophic — meaning very low nutrients and excellent clarity — with Secchi depth readings exceeding 5 metres.
Total phosphorus levels are well below provincial guidelines, pH sits within the healthy 6.5–8.5 range, and no metal concentrations have exceeded guideline limits across 39 analytes tested. The water has been steadily improving since the first measurements in 1975.
For families with young children, the private sandy beach at Island View Retreat has a gentle slope into the water — you can see the bottom clearly at chest depth.
A Birder's Paradise
Big Gull Lake is renowned as a nesting area for hawks and ospreys. Common loons breed on the lake — a 2015 survey by Bird Studies Canada confirmed multiple breeding pairs and chicks across the east end. Great blue herons patrol the shoreline, and bald eagles are regularly spotted circling overhead.
On land, white-tailed deer visit cottage properties at dusk, and early risers may catch a moose at the water's edge. Bring binoculars — you'll use them.
A Lake with Stories
Formerly known as Clarendon Lake, Big Gull Lake has been part of cottage country since the 1800s. Viking Lodge — a pre-Confederation cabin from the late 1800s — still stands on the lake today, making it one of the oldest European-built structures in North Frontenac.
Kirk Kove resort has operated for over 90 years. In the 1950s and 60s, it hosted spectacular water ski shows — co-owners Guy and Bonnie Weese had performed at Cypress Gardens in Florida, the “water-skiing capital of the world,” before bringing their show to Big Gull Lake. Hundreds would gather to watch human pyramids, barefoot skiing, and jump shows from the shoreline.
The Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources stocked over 12 million walleye fry between 1925 and 1951. In 1988, the cottage association and Ministry partnered to haul 64 tons of rock to enhance walleye spawning beds — a project that measurably increased walleye reproduction in the years that followed.
Camp's Bay Marina
Your one-stop shop for lake adventures. No need to bring your own boat — everything is available on-site.
- Boat rentals from $99–$219/day
- Fuel dock
- Bait and tackle shop
- Ice cream and snacks
- Fish cleaning station
Fishing Regulations (FMZ 18)
Big Gull Lake falls within Ontario Fisheries Management Zone 18. Key rules at a glance — always check the official FMZ 18 summary for the full regulations.
| Species | Season | Limit | Size |
|---|---|---|---|
| Walleye & Sauger | Jan 1–Mar 1, 2nd Sat May–Dec 31 | S-4 / C-2 | 40–50 cm slot |
| Bass (LM & SM) | 3rd Sat June–Dec 15 | S-6 / C-2 | — |
| Northern Pike | Jan 1–Mar 31, 2nd Sat May–Dec 31 | S-6 / C-2 | — |
| Yellow Perch | Open all year | S-50 / C-25 | — |
| Lake Whitefish | Open all year | S-12 / C-6 | — |
There's Always Something to Do
From fishing and paddling to stargazing and backcountry camping — Big Gull Lake has it all. Dive into our detailed guides.
Everything Big Gull Lake
In-depth guides covering fishing, camping, paddling, swimming, history, and more — written by people who know the lake.
A Lake with Heart
Big Gull Lake has an active community of cottage associations, annual events, and families that have been coming back for generations.
Big Gull Lake East End Cottage Association
Largest association on the lake. 13 sections, annual sailboat race, potluck picnic, and environmental stewardship.
Visit website →Big Gull Lake West Cottage Association
Represents cottage owners on the western basin (Little Gull Lake) and surrounding shoreline.
Pinnacle Point Cottager's Association
Community association for the Pinnacle Point area of Big Gull Lake.
North Frontenac Lake Association Alliance
Umbrella organization coordinating across all North Frontenac lake associations.
Visit website →Annual Events
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Big Gull Lake good for swimming?
Yes. Big Gull Lake is spring-fed with crystal-clear water classified as oligotrophic to mesotrophic — meaning very low nutrient levels and excellent clarity. Secchi depth readings exceed 5 metres in the main basin. Island View Retreat has a private sandy beach with a gentle slope, ideal for children.
How deep is Big Gull Lake?
The maximum depth is 85 feet (26 metres) in the east basin. The average depth across the lake is 12.9 feet (3.9 metres). The lake has two distinct basins — the deeper, rockier east basin and the shallower west basin known as Little Gull Lake.
What fish are in Big Gull Lake?
Big Gull Lake supports walleye, smallmouth bass, largemouth bass, northern pike, yellow perch, lake whitefish, and lake herring. The lake falls within Ontario Fisheries Management Zone 18 (FMZ 18), which has a walleye slot size of 40–50 cm.
Can you camp on Big Gull Lake?
Yes. North Frontenac Parklands manages 25 island campsites on the lake, accessible only by watercraft. Camping permits cost $25/day (max 6 people per site) and are available May 1 through October 31. No road permit is required for Big Gull Lake.
Where is the boat launch on Big Gull Lake?
There are two Township-maintained boat launches: Helen Lane (1044 Helen Lane) on the east end off Ardoch Road, and Thompson Road on the west end off Big Gull Lake Road near Harlowe. No road permit is required.
How far is Big Gull Lake from Toronto?
Big Gull Lake is approximately 3 hours from Toronto, 2 hours from Ottawa, and 1.5 hours from Kingston. The lake is located near the villages of Arden and Harlowe in North Frontenac, Ontario.
Is there a marina on Big Gull Lake?
Yes. Camp's Bay Marina is located right next to Island View Retreat on the east end. They offer boat rentals ($99–$219/day), fuel, bait and tackle, fish cleaning stations, and fishing licenses. Kirk Kove Marina operates on the west end of the lake.
Closer Than You Think
~3 hours
from Toronto / GTA
~2 hours
from Ottawa
~1.5 hours
from Kingston