Big Rideau Lake

The Big Rideau Lake is a lake situated in the province of Ontario (Eastern Ontario), Canada. The lake is located 72 kilometres (45 mi) to the southwest of Ottawa, Canada's capital city. It is 32 kilometres (20 mi) long and is 6 kilometres (3.7 mi) wide. The lake is much narrower at its northeastern end than at its southwestern end. The lake forms part of the Rideau Waterway, and is the largest lake along the route of the Rideau waterway. In 2007, the waterway was registered as a UNESCO world heritage site. The Upper Rideau Lake is connected to the Big Rideau Lake through the Narrows Lock at the southwestern end of the lake. The small community of Rideau Ferry is located at the junction between the Big Rideau and Lower Rideau Lake, at the northeastern end of the lake. The town of Portland, Ontario is located along the southern shore of the lake.

The shoreline of the Big Rideau Lake is lined with hundreds of cottages and houses. A public recreation area and campground, Murphys Point Provincial Park, is located along a substantial stretch of the shoreline on the northern side of the lake.

The Big Rideau Lake Association (BRLA) is a non-profit organization that was formed in 1911, and operates summer programs from Cow Island one of the many islands in Big Rideau. Its purpose is "to preserve and enhance the quality of life on Big Rideau Lake." The BRLA places private shoal markers throughout the lake, marking hazards underwater at some times in the navigational season. A group of markers indicate the extent of a shoal: go around, not between.

The common fish found in the Big Rideau Lake include Sunfish, Rock Bass, Northern Pike, Large and Small Mouth Bass, Crappie, Walleye and Lake Trout.