Lake Joseph

Introduction

Lake Joseph is nestled in the Muskoka Lakes region of Ontario, a highly popular vacation spot. If you’re looking to escape the hustle and bustle of city life and immerse yourself in the Muskoka lifestyle, Lake Joseph is the perfect destination. The lake is home to some of the most exclusive cottages in the area, which are often owned by the wealthy and famous. 

The allure of Lake Joseph extends beyond the occasional celebrity sighting. The lake itself is impressive, with vast size, depth, and exceptional clarity. In addition, it is an oligotrophic lake. This means the organisms within it can survive on minimal nutrients, resulting in clearer water. As one of the “Big Three” lakes, Lake Joseph offers access to over 500 kilometers of crystal clear shoreline to explore.

Activities on the lake

Lake Joseph is ideal for water sports like wakeboarding, water skiing, tubing, and swimming. This is due to its crystal-clear and relatively calm waters. Fishing is another popular activity that draws visitors to the lake. Several fish species reside in the waters, including lake trout, walleye, whitefish, northern pike, and bass. Anglers enjoy fishing on Lake Joseph year-round, including during ice fishing season.

Exploring the area

There are numerous exciting activities to experience in the Lake Joseph region. Among the most popular, is visiting top-notch golf courses like Lake Joseph Golf Club, Diamond in the Ruff, and The Rock. Additional public and private courses are conveniently located nearby in the Port Carling vicinity.

The Seasons on Lake Joseph

Whether you visit in the middle of the summer or at the height of the snow season, Lake Joseph is a marvel. The winter creates a snowy white wonderland where you can ski, snowmobile or snowshoe through some of the best cottage country trails. The fall brings the spectacular sight of changing leaves, providing a gentle backdrop to your evening campfire by the lake. The spring and summer awaken the lake like never before, and you are free to enjoy all the sparkling waters provide.

New activities and vastly changing landscapes await you at Lake Joseph.

Location
Official Name	Lake Joseph
Local Name	Lake Joe, Little Lake Joseph
County/District	Muskoka, Parry Sound
Municipality	Township of Muskoka Lakes Township of Seguin
Drainage Basin	Lake Rosseau
Latitude/Longitude	45.176 N 79.730 W

Physical Features
Surface Area (km)	54.60
Elevation (m asl)	225
Mean Depth (m)	25
Maximum Depth (m)	93
Perimeter (km)	140
Island Shoreline (km)	91
Clarity (m)	6.7

Land Use and Development
Crown Land (%)	0
Provincial Parks	none
Shoreline Development	intense; urban, commercial, shoreline residential
Access	public; public launches in Cox Bay, Foot’s Bay and numerous marinas
Water Level Management	regulated; water level is controlled by an MNR owned and operated dam at Port Carling; flows and levels are governed by the Muskoka River Water Management Plan

Fish Species
Major Fish Species	lake trout, lake whitefish, smallmouth bass, northern pike, muskellunge, burbot, black crappie, walleye, largemouth bass
Other Fish Species	white sucker, brown bullhead, cisco, spottail shiner, trout-perch, central mudminnow, rainbow smelt, slimy sculpin, bluntnose minnow, margined madtom, mottled sculpin, blacknose shiner, creek chub, ninespine stickleback, brook stickleback, pumpkinseed, banded killifish, yellow perch, Iowa darter, rock bass, golden shiner