Indigenous History

The history of Lake Manitouwabing dates back centuries ago when the region was inhabited by the Anishinaabe people. The lake played a significant role in the lives of these indigenous communities, providing them with food, water, and transportation. The lake was an important gathering place for the Anishinaabe people, who called the lake Manitouwabing, meaning "Spirit Lake". The Anishinaabe people have lived in the area for over 10,000 years and have a deep connection to the land and water.

In the 19th century, European settlers arrived in the area, and the lake became a vital hub for logging and fishing industries. Today, Lake Manitouwabing is a popular vacation destination that attracts visitors from all over the world.

In the mid-1600s, the French arrived in the area and established trade relationships with the Anishinaabe people. These relationships were built on mutual respect and helped to shape the cultural landscape of the region. Today, the Anishinaabe people continue to live in the area and have a strong presence in the community.

Lake History

Early maps called its upper section Minerva Lake. Later documents referred to the whole of it as Manitowaba, or Manitowabin. It's a glacial lake that was formed approximately 10,000 years ago. It is one of the largest lakes in the Parry Sound district, covering an area of approximately 16 square kilometers. The lake is known for its crystal-clear waters, sandy beaches, and beautiful scenery. It is home to a wide variety of fish, including northern pike, smallmouth bass, and walleye.

The lake has a rich history of recreational activities, with many cottages and resorts built along its shores. The lake has been a popular destination for vacationers for over a century, with many families returning year after year to enjoy the beauty and tranquility of the lake.

Lake Data

According to the lake association "Manitouwabing Lake is a sprawling, many bayed lake on the North Branch of the Seguin River. It is essentially shallow with isolated basins of deeper water. Water temperatures during summer surveys ranged between 69F at the surface and 40F near the bottom. Thermal stratification was not well developed in the larger basins. Mean dissolved oxygen content ranged between 9.2 parts per million near the surface and 8.2 parts per million near the bottom. The water is neutral (mean pH 7.0) and light brown in colour (secchi disc reading 9 feet). An average total dissolved solids concentration of 37 parts per million was determined from conductivity readings. Lake Manitouwabing is one of the largest lakes in the region, with a surface area of 1178 hectares and almost 120 kms of shoreline. The lake is 18 kilometers long and has a maximum depth of 33 meters. It is located in the district of Parry Sound and is part of the Magnetawan River watershed."

The lake is fed by the Middle River as well as several small streams and is drained by the Magnetawan River system , which flows into Georgian Bay. The lake has several islands and bays that are popular for boating and fishing.

The M.N.R. states on their website that " The water level on the lake is controlled by a dam on the outlet at Hurdville which has raised the water by approximately 2.5 m from its’ natural level. As a result, there are significant flooded areas with soft bottom, which may explain the high abundance of Brown Bullhead in the lake. The fishery has been relatively well studied due to perennial interest by the local community, particularly in the stocking of the lake with Walleye. The Walleye population is self-sustaining through natural reproduction. In general, supplemental stocking of self-sustaining population is not done because it is not effective and can have long-term negative impacts on the natural reproduction"

Major Fish Species: Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Walleye, Lake Whitefish, Northern Pike and Black Crappie.