Skiff Lake (New Brunswick) facts for kids

Skiff Lake is a beautiful lake located in Canterbury Parish, York County, New Brunswick, Canada. It's a popular spot for nature lovers and outdoor adventures.

Where is Skiff Lake?

Skiff Lake is a special kind of lake called a glacier lake. This means it was formed a very long time ago by giant sheets of ice called glaciers. You can find it in the southwestern part of New Brunswick, close to the village of Canterbury.

The lake is quite interesting because it has 27 islands scattered across its waters! Around the lake, you'll see huge granite rocks. Scientists think these rocks might have been created by eruptions from a volcano called Mount Pleasant Caldera a long, long time ago.

Skiff Lake's History

Skiff Lake got its name from a person known as Lord Northcote. Back in the 1800s, he paddled a small boat called a skiff to an island he wanted to claim. That island is now known as Northcote Island.

The very first cabin built on an island in Skiff Lake was on Northcote Island. There's also a very old camp on the eastern side of the lake called "Lady of the Lake." It's the oldest camp around! Over the years, several places have offered services for visitors, like "Crombies Camps" and "Skiff Lake Inn."

Fish in Skiff Lake

Skiff Lake is home to many different kinds of fish. If you enjoy fishing, you might find:

• Land-locked salmon
• Smallmouth bass
• Brook trout
• American eel
• White perch
• White sucker
• Burbot (also known as cusk)
• Smelts
• Sunfish
• Pickerel

Other Animals You Might See

Besides fish, many other animals live in or around Skiff Lake. Keep an eye out for these creatures:

• Loon
• Mallard
• Black duck
• Common merganser
• Tern
• Ruby-throated hummingbird
• Common snapping turtle
• Red fox
• Bald eagle
• Pileated woodpecker
• White-tailed deer
• Moose
• Black bear
• Beaver
• American mink

Myths and Legends

Just like the famous Loch Ness Monster in Scotland, there are old stories and rumors about a mysterious creature living in Skiff Lake! People have whispered about a lake serpent, which they've playfully named Gertrude. The legend says this creature might be as long as thirty feet!

When Does the Ice Melt?

Every year, people living around Skiff Lake keep track of the "ice out" date. This is the day when the lake's ice finally melts enough for a boat to cross it from one side to the other. It's an important date because it marks the start of spring and boating season! The ice usually melts sometime in April or May, depending on how warm the spring is.