Thinking of buying on Sturgeon Lake? Our guide to Sturgeon Lake real estate below will help you decide if this is the lake for you! If it is, we would be happy to send you any new listings that come up. Just click here. We promise not to hassle you!
Sturgeon Lake is located in the Kawartha Lakes region of south-central Ontario. It is a large lake with three towns at the terminus of each of its three large arms – Lindsay at the south end, Fenelon Falls at the north-west end, and Bobcaygeon at the east end. It is situated on the Trent-Severn Waterway just downstream from Cameron Lake. The Trent-Severn flows into Sturgeon Lake through the locks at Fenelon Falls, and exits into Pigeon Lake to the east through the locks in Bobcaygeon. The Scugog and Emily rivers flow into Sturgeon Lake along its southern shores.
Similar to Balsam and Cameron lakes, Sturgeon Lake lies fully within the relatively narrow belt of limestone topography that lies above the livestock and grain farmland to the south, and the Precambrian Canadian Shield country to the north. The limestone topography dictates the type of waterfront found on the lake - lots are most often level, and not normally steep to the water. Shorelines can be rocky (limestone boulders) or sandy, with older cottages often having concrete retaining walls. Landscaped lots with lawns and gardens are common. Sturgeon Lake is a relatively shallow lake, with a maximum depth of 35 feet.
There are approximately 2,000 waterfront properties on Sturgeon Lake’s 11,100 acres of surface area. The resulting density of 5.6 acres per property puts Sturgeon Lake in the mid-range of density among the major lakes in the western Kawarthas. As with most recreational lakes, boat traffic is most noticeable on summer weekend afternoons - the lake is quiet and placid most other times. Due to its size, Sturgeon Lake attracts a larger than normal number of high-powered boats.
With its proximity to services in Fenelon Falls, Bobcaygeon and Lindsay, as well as its easy access to the GTA, Sturgeon Lake has become a very popular lake for year-round living. Most properties on the lake are easily accessed by all-season roads that are maintained municipally.
Water levels on Sturgeon are managed by Parks Canada and tend to be very stable. Water levels are lowered in late autumn and reach their lowest point in mid-winter – this is when shoreline work is permitted. Water levels typically increase gradually during the spring run-off and reach a peak in May before returning to normal levels through the summer months.
Flooding is normally not an issue on Sturgeon Lake.
Sturgeon Lake tends to be less expensive that Balsam and Cameron Lakes, and there is a wide range of properties at various price points available to buyers. You can expect to pay in the neighbourhood of $700,000 to $1,200,000 for a three-season cottage, while prices for a year-round cottage or home range from $1,000,000 to $2,000,000 or more. There are also many back lot properties on Sturgeon Lake with deeded access to waterfront, or properties that line narrow canals with boat access to the lake. These properties cost considerably less than properties with direct waterfront on the main lake.
Sturgeon Point and the north and south shores of the lake near Bobcaygeon tend to be pricier as the waterfront is generally of high quality. The waterfront along the southern arm of the lake nearer to Lindsay tends to be shallower and weedier, and properties are more affordable here. There are also several housing developments on canals that lead into the lake, and prices are moderate in these locations as well. Refer to our market value update section for more detailed information on prices and market activity.
Watersports – Sturgeon Lake is a large lake and has many interesting boating destinations, including Bobcaygeon and Fenelon Falls.
Fishing – With its large size and abundance of fish habitat, Sturgeon Lake is known as a very good fishing lake, with muskie, bass and walleye the primary sport fish.
Swimming – Sturgeon Lake warms up quickly and the swimming is great if you have limestone-bottomed waterfront. There are also a few sandbars along the northern shores of the lake that are popular with swimmers.
Hiking – The Ken Reid Conservation area near Lindsay has excellent hiking, as does the 85 km long Victoria Rail Trail which runs just inland from the western shores of Sturgeon Lake.
Insect populations are relatively low on Sturgeon Lake due to its location in the limestone region south of the Canadian Shield. Blackflies emerge in early May and usually disappear in a couple of weeks or after a few days of warm weather. Mosquitoes follow in late May and their numbers are reduced once the dragonflies hatch in June. You may see deerflies in July in wooded areas. Insect levels generally decline drastically in August, and the glorious days of September and October are usually bug-free.
Sturgeon Lake has a wider range of nearby services than any other lake in the western Kawarthas. Both Fenelon Falls and Bobcaygeon have just about everything you need, including the famous Bigley's shoe store in Bobcaygeon. Lindsay has an even greater variety of shopping, as well as the Ross Memorial Hospital.
> Real Estate on Sturgeon Lake ~ Market Value Update
Photo of Sturgeon Lake, Ontario by: Comms staff - No alterations made, Creative Commons
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We have a great appreciation for the history of the lakes we service, and are pleased to share with you some of the heritage postcards we have collected.
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