Crotch Lake Kayak Camping

Crotch Lake - North Frontenac

Note: All images can be seen larger by clicking on them.

Crotch Lake on the Canadian Shield, is situated in and administered by, the township of North Frontenac; providing both kayak or canoe enthusiast with truly wilderness camping opportunities.   The lake is fed by both the Mississippi River and Gull Creek and drains back to the Mississippi which connects with the Ottawa River forming a long established canoe route of many portages.

Crotch Lake

I have camped here on many occasions over the years and this July a friend and I returned for a two night stay.   The lake can be accessed from either the north or south end; I have habitually used the southern one off the Ardoch road and only about a twenty minute drive from highway 7 at Sharbot Lake.  It is worth noting that due to the fact this lake drains to the Mississippi and subsequently the Ottawa, water levels appear to be under the control of Ontario Hydro which regulate this system to maximize its usefulness for hydro-electric power generation.   The result of this is that water levels change drastically through the summer-fall seasons which changes the topography of the shoreline in a less than desirable way, at least from a paddler's viewpoint.   

Southern access

In spring, May-June water is likely at the high water mark which maximizes the area that can be paddled, giving access to some very pretty back-waters such as the waterfall at Gull Creek as seen below in May, also Fawn Lake and Twin Islands Lakes can be paddled with the possibility of camping also.

Falls on Gull Creek

I have camped (site 63) in this area early July, but this trip the last week of July water was so low none of this was accessible.  Probably a good idea to ascertain water levels before choosing a campsite.

Old trapper's cabin

 

Camp July 2016

Some sites which in spring can be paddled right up to, may at low water be surrounded by rocks making loading/unloading a kayak more problematic.  It is still a beautiful lake to paddle throughout the season and for the most part it is quiet with most power boat traffic of the fishing variety.

From Twin-Island Lake

At the north end of Crotch the Mississippi river tumbles into the lake at Whitefish rapids, at high water you can usually paddle over the first set (below) and reach the second.  There are three or four campsites along the river bank here but at low water they are cut off from the lake except by portage.

Whitefish Rapids (lower)

This trip we had perfect camping weather; hot sunny days and warm nights with water just the right temperature for swimming, which we did as our site had a nice rocky ledge over deep water.  And of course facing west some lovely sunsets.

Sunset

Another thing that happens with low water which can be beneficial is that a number of sandy beaches and grassy areas will appear which can make for great places to go ashore for lunch and as can be seen below, provide lunch spots for some of the permanent denizens of the area.

White-tailed deer

Happy paddling from KayakJock