Canisbay Lake
This is where our exploration adventures began! Whether you’re into car camping, interior camping, or just here for an afternoon picnic (yes, we have seen a lot of picnickers!), Canisbay is a perfect spot for any beginning adventurer. This is the lake where we learned the ropes of how to safely travel in the untouched wilderness of the Algonquin interior. Canisbay Lake is located in Canisbay Township and was re-named in 1872 from Cranberry Lake.
Interior camping locations we have explored on Canisbay Lake Overview
Canisbay Lake was originally named Cranberry Lake after the bog located at the south-east corner of the lake.[2]
The lake offers families a peaceful location to camp at the southern end. Additionally, there are 23 paddle in sites on the East, West & North parts of the lake, a perfect spot for new campers looking to start their backcountry adventures.
Canisbay Lake is a beautiful place located 43 miles east of Huntsville. It's a lovely spot where one can camp out and enjoy the great outdoors. The area is managed by the Ministry of Natural Resources and features a campground with 242 units on the south end of the lake, with 23 interior sites.[1]
Lake depth map of Canisbay LakeWhat is a lodge?
Beavers build and maintain houses called lodges. There are two main types, the conical lodge and the bank lodge. A conical lodge is the most common, surrounded by water.
Lodges are made from trees, branches, mud, and rocks with a hollow center inside. Here, the beavers can sleep, eat, groom each other, and raise their offspring in the spring when they are born.[3]
A conical lodge in Canisbay LakeUnique Inhabitants
Cranberry Bog, located on the lake’s southern end, is ideal for a beaver lodge! Each lodge on average can hold on average about eight beavers! They build beaver dams nearby to create a safe space to build their lodges nearby.
Underwater footage of Cranberry Bog lodge
Algonquin Lakes
[1] Canisbay Lake Campground | Algonquin Provincial Park | the Friends of Algonquin Park. www.algonquinpark.on.ca/visit/camping/canisbay-lake-campground.php.
[2] Parks, Author Ontario. “What’s in a Name? A Historical Look at Lake Names in Algonquin.” Parks Blog, 26 Oct. 2018, www.ontarioparks.ca/parksblog/lake-names-algonquin/#:~:text=Canisbay%20Lake&text=Originally%20known%20as%20Cranberry%20Lake,Township%20(where%20it's%20located).
[3] Bradford, Alina. “Facts About Beavers.” livescience.com, 13 Oct. 2015, www.livescience.com/52460-beavers.html.