The Muskoka region of Ontario is bursting at its seams with amazing lakes and exceptional real estate. When looking for Muskoka real estate, the first step is choosing a lake. As one of the largest lakes in the region, Lake of Bays is a wonderful choice. It got its name due to its unique shape, and it is made up of many small and large bays. Gorgeous vacation homes and cottages are strung along the majority of those bays, and a few homes are also found on the islands that dot the lake as well. Learn more about Lake of Bays below.
A Brief History of Lake of Bays and Muskoka
Like other parts of the Muskoka region, Lake of Bays has a unique and compelling history. For the majority of its history, Lake of Bays was home to First Nations people. For a long time, white settlers saw no real value in these gorgeous lands and waters. Of course, settlers and explorers kept returning to the area again and again. Trapping finally led to a few somewhat permanent settlements in the area, and the local First Nations inhabitants sold huge swaths of land to the European settlers.
Things remained fairly quiet around Lake of Bays for some time. However, the Free Land Grand and Homestead Act of 1868 changed all that. Under the act, settlers received 200 acres of land in the area. Many of them ended up on or near Lake of Bays. Logging became a prime industry, but it wasn’t long before railroads and steamships started bringing visitors to the area as well. As people from elsewhere in Ontario became acquainted with the breathtaking beauty of Lake of Bays and the Muskoka region, waterfront cottages and vacation home started popping up. Today, the economy of this region is largely dependent on tourism.
A Lake of Many Names
It is interesting to note that Lake of Bays didn’t always go by that name. First Nations people called the lake “Num g e low e nee g go mark lak a hagan,” which roughly translates to mean “Lake of Forks.” The lake has also been called Forked Lake, Baptiste Lake and Lake of Two Bays at various times in its history. The first official use of the name “Lake of Bays” occurred in 1853, when Alexander Murray surveyed the lake for the Geological Survey of Canada.
Key Facts about Lake of Bays
With a total area of around 6,780 hectares, Lake of Bays is the second-largest lake in the Muskoka Lakes region. Only Lake Muskoka is larger. The lake boasts approximately 563 kilometers of shoreline, which leaves plenty of room for vacation homes and cottages. The permanent population of Lake of Bays Township, which envelops the lake, is about 3,000. The population rises to more than 18,000 people seasonally. Lake of Bays is cold, deep and infertile. It is classified as a moderately productive lake.
