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Lake Scugog

Lake Scugog is a large, shallow, artificially flooded lake in south-central Ontario, Canada, located between Port Perry and Lindsay.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Lake Scugog is a large, shallow, artificially flooded lake in south-central Ontario, Canada, located between Port Perry and Lindsay. It lies within the Great Lakes Basin and forms part of the Trent–Severn Waterway. The lake is associated with the Township of Scugog, the City of Kawartha Lakes, and the Regional Municipality of Durham.

Geography

Lake Scugog is situated in Ontario, on the Map of Canada, between Port Perry and Lindsay. It spans parts of the Township of Scugog, the City of Kawartha Lakes, and the Regional Municipality of Durham.

Formation and hydrology

The lake is a regulated reservoir created after the construction of a grist mill and dam on the Scugog River in the early 1800s. Its main outflow is the Scugog River, and its water ultimately connects to the Trent–Severn Waterway system.

Physical characteristics

Lake Scugog has a surface area of about 68 km², an average depth of 1.4 m, and a maximum depth of 7.6 m. Its shoreline is long and irregular relative to its shallow depth.

Recreation and use

The lake is known as a destination for boating and fishing. It is also described as a gateway to the Trent–Severn Waterway and an important local water body for nearby communities.

Key facts

  • Lake Scugog is an artificially flooded lake created by damming the Scugog River in the early 1800s.
  • It is a very shallow lake with an average depth of 1.4 m and a maximum depth of 7.6 m.
  • The lake lies between Port Perry and Lindsay in south-central Ontario.
  • Water leaves the lake through the Scugog River and continues toward Sturgeon Lake.
  • The lake is used for recreation, including boating and fishing.
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Canadian context

Lake Scugog is a notable Ontario lake in the Kawartha region and an official geographic feature of Canada. It is relevant to Canadian readers through its role in regional hydrology, recreation, and the Trent–Severn Waterway.

Frequently asked questions

Where is Lake Scugog located?
Lake Scugog is in south-central Ontario, Canada, between Port Perry and Lindsay.
Is Lake Scugog natural or artificial?
Lake Scugog is artificial; it was created as a regulated reservoir by damming the Scugog River in the early 1800s.
How deep is Lake Scugog?
Its average depth is about 1.4 m, and its maximum depth is about 7.6 m.
What river drains Lake Scugog?
Lake Scugog drains north through the Scugog River.
What waterway system is Lake Scugog part of?
Lake Scugog is part of the Trent–Severn Waterway and the Great Lakes Basin.
What is Lake Scugog used for?
It is used for recreation, especially boating and fishing, and is also an important local water body for nearby communities.

References

  1. Natural Resources Canada — https://geonames.nrcan.gc.ca/search-place-names/unique?id=FDVYQ
    Supports: Official place name, location, province, coordinates, and status.
  2. Kawartha Conservation — https://www.kawarthaconservation.com/environmental-sciences/understanding-your-watershed/lake-scugog/
    Supports: Location, watershed context, area, inflows/outflow, and connection to the Trent–Severn Waterway.
  3. Scugog Lake Stewards — https://scugoglakestewards.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/OTF-Technical-Report_Offshore-Study_FINAL-1.pdf
    Supports: Artificial reservoir formation, surface area, average depth, maximum depth, and dam-regulated water levels.
  4. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lake_Scugog
    Supports: General overview, location between Port Perry and Lindsay, and connection to the Scugog River and Sturgeon Lake.
  5. Township of Scugog — https://www.scugog.ca/parks-recreation-culture/parks-trails-and-conservation-areas/conservation-areas-and-lakes/
    Supports: Local recreational uses such as boating and fishing.
  6. Kawartha Conservation — https://www.kawarthaconservation.com/media/jn5d4hmo/lsemp_may2010_final.pdf
    Supports: Surface area, depth, shoreline length, watershed context, and reservoir characteristics.