The Lake Temiskaming Tour by Boat

Boating is without a doubt a must in the Lake Temiskaming Tour, as the region boasts one of the largest networks of interconnected lakes in the world. Discover the area’s beautiful freshwater networks:

Lake Temiskaming

Lake Temiskaming is impressive in many ways: it has an area of 300 square kilometers, a length of 100 kilometers, and a depth of up to 700 feet (more than 200 meters). This is why the Algonquins named it Temiskaming, which means “deep water”.

The Lake Temiskaming tour by boat allows you to explore the lakeshore, both in Ontario and Quebec.

On the Quebec Side

Here, there are many local full-service marinas that offer all the amenities you might need: restaurants, accommodations, and shops. Témiscaming, Ville-Marie, and Notre-Dame-du-Nord all offer these services.

La Bannik has its own port. From the marina, a long stairway leads to the beautiful terrace and restaurant. The meals are indulgent and the view of the lake from the terrace is breathtaking. Fort-Témiscamingue is also nearby. A visit to the fort will allow you to discover the region’s fur trade era.

On the Ontario side

For those who enjoy family boating, a stop at the Haileybury marina is a must. You can take a dip in the water, as there is a clean and supervised beach with a free public waterslide. From the beach, you can observe the magnificent sailboats, whether docked or at sea.

In New Liskeard, stop at Rooster’s restaurant, where there is a lovely patio overlooking the water. The menu offers a variety of options, and the restaurant has a pleasant, peaceful atmosphere.

Lake Temagami

Lake Temagami is a boater’s paradise: it has 4800 kilometres of coastline, 1200 islands, and many launching docks.

Many companies in the region offer boat, canoe, pontoon, and houseboat rentals. Houseboats can be rented from mid-May until October. Some of them can hold up to 10 people: this is perfect for an unforgettable family reunion. There are hundreds of wilderness campsites around the lake, where you can set up your tent and build a campfire.

Lake Nipissing

Lake Nipissing has an area of over 850 square kilometers. Unlike other lakes of its size, Lake Nipissing’s waters are relatively shallow. If you don’t have your own vessel, the best way to discover this inland sea is by taking a cruise on the Chief Commanda 2. This 100-foot-long boat can hold up to 320 passengers. Its first two storeys are shut off, but the top floor is open so visitors can enjoy a spectacular view of the lake. A 1.5-hour cruise is available at 1 p.m., from Monday to Saturday. On Sundays, a 4-hour cruise is offered, with a meal and bar service on deck.

Lac des Quinze and Lac Simard

The Lac des Quinze (145 square kilometers) and Lac Simard (150 square kilometers) are two interconnected bodies of water, which are, in fact, expansions of the Ottawa River. In 1909, a hydroelectric dam was built, which raised the water levels. The lakes thus became an important reservoir and were used for timber drives for almost 65 years. Today, many outfitters and campgrounds occupy the lakes’ shores.

Lake Kipawa

Lake Kipawa, with an area of 300 square kilometers, is Lake Temagami’s twin brother, not only due to its irregular shape, shallow bays, and many islands, but also due to its popularity among celebrities. Margaret Atwood, a famous Canadian author, spent many summers of her childhood on Lake Kipawa while her entomologist father conducted research on insects. She still owns a chalet on one of the lake’s islands.