Lake Joseph, Muskoka

Lake Joseph is in one of the most popular vacation areas in Canada, the Muskoka Lakes region has something for everyone. If you’d like to get away from it all and want to see and experience the most prestigious location in the Muskoka Lakes region, Lake Joseph needs to be at the top of your list. Most notably, it is where the most exclusive homes and cottages can be found. In fact, it is where you will find Billionaires Row. Lake Joseph has become a celebrity haunt, and it’s easy to see why so many rich and famous people flock here. Learn more about this remarkable Muskoka destination below.

A Brief History of Lake Joseph and Muskoka Lakes

Like the rest of the Muskoka Lakes region, Lake Joseph’s economy currently revolves around tourism. That wasn’t always the case. The region was originally settled by the Ojibwa peoples. It was largely ignored by Europeans for a very long time; no major trading posts were set up in Lake Joseph or elsewhere in the area. Things started to change in 1868, which is when the Free Grants and Homestead Act was passed. Homesteaders were allotted 15 acres of Muskoka land, and many opted to settle near Lake Joseph. Steamboats and trains started rolling in shortly thereafter, and tourists came right along with them.

Facts about Lake

Joseph Lake Joseph, which is affectionately referred to as Lake Joe, is massive, deep and exceptionally clear. It is classified as an oligotrophic lake, which means that it is populated by oligotrophs. An oligotroph is an organism that can survive on very little nutrients, so there isn’t a lot of debris clouding the water. As a matter of fact, it’s possible to see down to approximately 6.7 metres.

The clarity of this gorgeous lake is just one of its many impressive characteristics. It has approximately 91 kilometres of shoreline, and much of it is taken up by incredible Muskoka cottages. The surface area of the lake is 5,460 hectares, and the average depth of Lake Joseph is 25 metres. At its deepest point, the lake drops down more than 93 metres. With its location at the edge of the Canadian Shield, Lake Joseph sits at an elevation of about 225 metres. There are public launches at several marinas, and additional public launches at Foot’s Bay and Cox Bay are quite popular too.

Things to Do

Clublink Rocky Crest. There is a lot to see and do in and around Lake Joseph no matter when you choose to visit. It comes as no surprise that so many families invest in Muskoka real estate and buy cottages on the shores of this shimmering lake. The calm nature of the lake makes it suitable for water sports like wakeboarding, water skiing, tubing and swimming. Golfers will appreciate golf courses like Diamond in the Ruff and The Rock. Vast networks of hiking trails stretch through the hilly, forested regions surrounding the lake. From horseback riding to mountain biking, Lake Joseph has it all.

Fishing

Out of all of the activities that lure people to Lake Joseph, fishing has to be the most popular one. It’s easy to see why that is. The lake is teeming with many different species of fish, but it is most famous for its populations of lake trout, walleye, whitefish, pike and bass. A review of the lake trout population that was conducted in 2010 revealed that the lake trout population hovered right around 36,000 fish. In addition to fishing during the summer, there is a limited ice fishing season at Lake Joseph as well.

Billionaires Row and Celebrity Sightings

As if all of the outdoor fun and gorgeous cottages for sale on and near Lake Joseph weren’t enough, the Muskoka Lakes region is known to attract some of today’s most famous celebrities and most powerful business people. In fact, Canadian entrepreneur Kevin O’Leary owns a lavish cottage right on the shores of Lake Joseph. The celebrity boom started in the Muskoka Lakes region in the early 1950s, when people like Clark Gable and Carole Lombard came to play while celebs like Frank Sinatra and Duke Ellington came to perform. Lake Joseph’s answer to Lake Muskoka’s Millionaires Row is known as Billionaires Row, and it includes some of the most finely appointed Muskoka cottages in the area.

When to Visit

Any time is a good time to visit Lake Joseph. Every season brings new activities and excitement. In the winter, you can swish through back country trails while enjoying some of the best cross-country skiing in the area. In the fall, you can take in the incredible sight of the changing leaves as they explode into vibrant red, orange and yellow hues. In the spring and summer, you can make the most of everything that the sparkling, pristine waters of Lake Joseph have to offer.

Exceptional Muskoka Real Estate at Lake Joseph

As you can see, Lake Joseph is the epitome of everything that is great about the beautiful Muskoka Lakes region. You’d be hard-pressed to find a more scenic part of Canada, and you won’t believe the amazing options that you’ll find in terms of Muskoka cottages. The drive to Lake Joseph from Toronto is only about two hours long, so it’s within easy driving distance of many parts of Ontario. Come out for a visit and to scout out the right cottage today!

Useful Links:

Muskoka Market Statistics

Muskoka Lakes Association

Lake Fact Sheet – Lake Joseph

Thank you to www.cottageblog.ca for the use of the photos.