Chemong Lake facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Chemong Lake |
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J. A. Gifford Causeway with Bridgenorth on opposite shore
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 Chemong Lake
Location in Ontario
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| Location | Ontario |
| Group | Kawartha lakes |
| Coordinates | 44°24′N 78°23′W / 44.400°N 78.383°W |
| Primary outflows | Harrington Narrows to Buckhorn Lake |
| Basin countries | Canada |
| Max. length | 14 km (8.7 mi) |
| Max. width | 1 km (0.62 mi) |
| Islands | Big Island, Goat Island, Kelly Island |
Chemong Lake, also called Lake Chemong, is a beautiful lake in Ontario, Canada. It's located about 8 kilometers (5 miles) northwest of Peterborough. The name "Chemong" comes from the Ojibwe language, and it means "big lake." Some people say it also means "canoe."
This lake is quite long, stretching about 14 kilometers (9 miles). It's also about 1 kilometer (0.6 miles) wide. Chemong Lake is an important part of the Kawartha Lakes system. It's also connected to the Trent–Severn Waterway, which is a famous canal system.
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Exploring Chemong Lake
Chemong Lake is a great place for outdoor fun. Many towns and communities are located along its shores.
Towns and Villages
Several communities are found around Chemong Lake. On the east side, you'll find Bridgenorth and Selwyn. On the west side, there's Ennismore.
A special bridge, called the James A. Gifford Causeway, crosses the lake. This causeway connects Bridgenorth and Ennismore by road. It makes it easy for people to travel between these two areas.
The Tri-Lake System
Chemong Lake is part of a group of three connected lakes. These are Chemong Lake, Buckhorn Lake, and Pigeon Lake. This "tri-lake" area is very popular for fishing. Many fishing tournaments happen here during the warmer months.
Fish You Might Catch
If you love fishing, Chemong Lake has lots of different fish! You can find:
- Smallmouth bass
- Largemouth bass
- Walleye
- Yellow perch
- Carp
- Muskellunge
- Many types of Panfish (smaller fish that are easy to catch)
Over time, tiny creatures called Zebra mussels have been introduced to the lake. These mussels filter the water, making it clearer. While clearer water might sound nice, some fish, like Walleye, don't like it as much. This has caused their numbers to go down a bit.
Islands of Chemong Lake
Chemong Lake has several small islands. Some of the well-known ones include Big Island, Goat Island, and Kelly Island. Many people have cottages on these islands. Others use them as places to go camping.
It's important for boaters to be careful around the islands. There are rocky areas just below the water's surface. These "rocky shoals" can be dangerous if you're not paying attention.
How Chemong Lake Got Its Name
The name of Chemong Lake has changed many times over the years. The very first map of the area, from 1790, called it "Wubscommoug." This was an Ojibwe word that meant "place of clay earth" or "mud." This makes sense because the lake has a clay bottom!
For a long time, the lake was even officially called "Mud Lake." This was because of the clay mud at the bottom.
Over the next century, the name changed many times. People spelled it in different ways, like Shebaugh-tick-wyong, Cimung, and Cheemaun. By 1902, "Chemung Lake" became the common name. In 1965, this became the official name.
However, people often spelled it with an "o" instead of a "u." So, in 1978, the name was officially changed again to Chemong Lake. This is the name we use today!
