Trout Lake is one of many trout lakes in Ontario, however we believe it is one of the most, if not the most beautiful of all. It is located in the Sudbury District, approximately an hour’s drive, south of the City of Greater Sudbury.  The lake is north of and parallel to the French River.

The lake is long, narrow and deep, due to its location along an ancient fault line. The western and deeper half of the lake runs east-west, while the eastern and shallower half swings towards south-east. The lake is about 20 km long and narrow, and stretches through four townships: Servos, Hoskin, Cherriman and Cosby.  Servos Township is an unorganized area while the other three townships are part of the Municipality of French River formed in the year 2000. The most western and the most eastern parts of the lake are fairly narrow with average widths of 150 m and 200 m respectively, while the middle section averages 550 m in width. The widest spot, in the Zettler Bay area, is approximately 1 km. The western half of the lake is much deeper than its eastern half.  Depths of over 15-20 m are common in the western half of the lake; in addition there are large areas with depths over 30m. The deepest spot in the lake is approximately 46 m, just west of the midpoint.  Depth of the eastern half ranges from 6 – 15 m and the depth declines towards the east end.

There are over 40 islands of varying sizes from small rocky outcrops to the largest island which is 18 hectares (2.5 acres), known as Big Island. The lake is classified as oligotrophic i.e. a cold water lake and, as the name suggests, is inhabited by lake trout. Other common fish are small and large mouth bass, muskellunge, pickerel, northern pike, rock bass and perch. 

While hunting and fishing camps were established in the 1920’s, cottage development started in the mid 1950’s and the last cottage lots were sold by the end of 1970’s.  There are 224 residential, two social and four commercial shoreline properties. These are accessible by four public roads on the South Shore: Camp Driftwood, Owl’s Nest Road, Silv’ry Moon Road and Happy Landing Road.  North Shore properties are accessed by Lafreniere Road and Trout Lake/Shaw Road, from which three public and several private roads lead to the lake.

There are three public landings: one on Trout Lake Road (Happy Landing) at Happy Summer Village, one on Owl’s Nest Road, and the old government landing on the north shore off of Shaw Road on Ile Mousseau/Quail.

The Trout Lake Campers’ Association, Sudbury District is one of the oldest, if not the oldest, lake association in Ontario north of the French River.  The Association was formed with the  single purpose of extending the Camp Driftwood Road to the lake shore. At that time there was only one road access to Trout Lake at the east end at Happy Summer Village.

As the lake is long and narrow it took two-three or more hours to get from this access to the western section where the new cottage lots were opening up. We have to remember that most outboards were low horse powers and very often the small boats were loaded to the limit with building material.  When the lake properties were being developed, it meant hauling all the materials in by boat, there was no electricity, no telephones, and terrible roads.  Getting to Camp Driftwood from Delamere Road to the lake would greatly improve getting to and from the western part of the lake.  Property owners were required to erect a building valued at $1,000 in the first year or two.                          

Over the years, additional roads were built on both shores, and later came hydro service.  Much later telephones became available as a party-line service.  Now of course, we enjoy internet connectivity, cellphones, satellite TV, and fibre optic service is coming soon.  Approximately 25% of properties on the lake are now permanent homes.

The first settlements on the lake were hunting and fishing camps established in the 1920’s. Silvery Moon Lodge, formerly known as Edna’s Camp was established in 1923, owned and operated by Edna Mayer. It just celebrated it’s 100^th anniversary. There was also forest logging (with horses at that time) and trapping going on in the early years and continuing to the present. 

The Association’s founding meeting was held on September 27, 1955 at the Royal Canadian Legion building in Sudbury and 18 people attended.  Not surprisingly most were from the lake’s western part and mainly from the Zettler bay area.  Mr. Harry Harrower presided at the meeting and Ed Clare was elected as the first President with Ed Zettler elected Secretary-Treasurer. Within a year or so Camp Driftwood road was completed and, thanks to the foresight of the Association founders, the Association continued to thrive with Friendship, Conservation and Safety being the motto.

The Association was incorporated as a not-for-profit corporation in 2007 and has broadened its activities which now include publishing a Bulletin and e-newsletters several times per year; environmental monitoring and education; rearing pickerel and improving the fishery; advocating for sustainable forestry practices, monitoring forestry activities; growing the membership; running an Annual Picnic and other social events; installing navigational safety markers and promoting safe boating practices.  There are at present 40 shoal and rock markers – most equipped with solar lights, ensuring safe boating day and night.  It also maintains a system of fire pumps strategically located around the lake in the event of a fire emergency.  The Association also works with the governments at municipal, provincial and federal levels to improve all aspects of lake living.

Educational materials are offered to help members utilize best practices to maintain and improve water quality and shoreline management in order to preserve Trout Lake for future generations.  Regular phosphorus sampling is taking place at six locations along the length of the lake as part of the Lake Partners Program, and the records go back to 1990.

The Trout Lake Campers Association-Sudbury District and its approximately 200 members, of which 88% are property owners, are committed to advance the quality of lake living for its members and visitors while, at the same time, making sure the lake and its ecosystem is preserved for future generations.