Rice Lake practical boating map - Gores Landing perspective with fishing zones, hazards, and key towns ## Quick Answer Rice Lake is a 32-km long shallow lake on the Trent-Severn Waterway, about 80 minutes northeast of Toronto. The water is generally 6 - 10 ft deep with heavy...
Quick Answer
Rice Lake is a 32-km long shallow lake on the Trent-Severn Waterway, about 80 minutes northeast of Toronto. The water is generally 6–10 ft deep with heavy summer weed growth and a sunken 19th-century railway across the middle (chartplotters mark it, slow down across the lake until you know the crossing). Walleye, bass, and muskie are the main species. Public launches at Bewdley, Hastings, Roseneath, and Harris Boat Works in Gores Landing. Trent-Severn lockage is free June 19 – September 7, 2026.
Where Rice Lake Sits
Rice Lake is in the Kawartha Lakes region of southern Ontario, part of the Trent-Severn Waterway system. The lake runs roughly east-west, 32 km long, with the east end connecting to the waterway at Hastings and the west end near Bewdley.
The water comes in from the Otonabee River at the north and drains east via the Trent River into the Trent-Severn system. So the lake is connected to a much bigger water network, you can lock through and travel to Lake Ontario at Trenton or to Georgian Bay at Port Severn if you want a multi-day boat trip.
Harris Boat Works has been at 5369 Harris Boat Works Rd in Gores Landing on Rice Lake since 1947. The marina sits directly on the lake's south shore. Three generations of the Harris family have run boats out of this exact location.
What Makes Rice Lake Different
Shallow. Most of the lake is 6–10 ft deep. The deepest spots are around 18 ft. That shallow profile makes it warm quickly in spring, which is great for fishing, but it also means it weeds up significantly through summer.
Weed beds. Summer growth is heavy in most bays and along structure. Bring a weed-cutting tool for the prop. Plan for slower running speeds in shallow weed-choked areas.
The sunken railway. This is the one hazard everyone has to know. There is an abandoned 19th-century railway submerged across the middle of Rice Lake. It sits roughly 4 feet below the surface. It has been wrecking lower units for over a hundred years. Chartplotters (Navionics, Garmin, C-MAP) mark the crossing clearly. Slow down across the middle of the lake until you know exactly where the structure is.
The wind. Rice Lake runs east-west, which is also the prevailing wind direction. A west wind can build chop quickly across the full 32 km fetch. Underpowered hulls and inexperienced operators can get in trouble fast on a windy afternoon. Check the forecast before you launch.
The Trent-Severn connection. Rice Lake is part of a larger navigable waterway. If you want to boat further, you can lock through east toward the Trent River or west toward Peterborough and the Kawarthas. Lockage is free in 2026 from June 19 to September 7 as part of the Canada Strong Pass.
Fish You'll Find
Walleye. The classic Rice Lake fishery. Trolling is the standard technique. Most consistent in spring and fall, harder in mid-summer when fish move deep or to night feeds. Ontario MNR's Fisheries Management Zone 17 (FMZ 17) regulations apply; check current size and bag limits before your trip. The slot limit on walleye in FMZ 17 changes occasionally, verify against the current Ontario Fishing Regulations Summary before you keep fish.
Smallmouth Bass. Strong fishery, especially in late spring and early summer. Rocky structure on the south shore, weed edges in protected bays. Tournament-quality water in places.
Muskie. Trophy water. Big fish, big lures, mostly fall and early winter. Patience is the technique here.
Crappie, perch, pike. Mixed-bag panfish fishing is strong, especially for crappie in spring around brush and submerged wood structure.
You need a valid Ontario fishing licence (Outdoor Card + fishing licence). HBW does not sell fishing licences, get yours online at ontario.ca/fishing or at a licence vendor before your trip.
Where to Launch on Rice Lake
Four main public launch options:
Bewdley (west end)
Lakefront ramp, public parking. Easy to find off Highway 28. Closer for Toronto-area visitors.
Roseneath (south shore)
Smaller ramp, closer to mid-lake. Good for accessing the middle and east sections.
Gores Landing (south shore, HBW)
Public ramp at our location. 2-lane concrete, parking, snacks, washrooms. Direct access to mid-lake and the Trent-Severn east. Day fee applies, see signage at the ramp.
Hastings (east end)
At the entrance to the Trent-Severn east. Good if you're starting a multi-day Trent-Severn trip.
For most Toronto and GTA visitors, Gores Landing or Bewdley are the easiest options.
Trent-Severn Free Lockage 2026
Big news for boaters this year: lockage on the Trent-Severn is free from June 19 to September 7, 2026 as part of Canada Strong Pass programming. That means you can lock through any Trent-Severn lock during that window without paying lockage fees.
For Rice Lake visitors, this opens up affordable multi-day trips through the Kawartha Lakes and the broader Trent-Severn system. See Trent-Severn Waterway Boating Guide 2026 for the full breakdown.
Lockage permits in person only, 2026 season. Parks Canada has eliminated online lockage permit sales for the 2026 season. Lockage permits must be picked up in person at a lockstation, including the free Canada Strong Pass sticker during the June 19 to September 7 window.
Boat Rentals and Borrowing
If you don't have a boat, you can rent from a few options on Rice Lake. HBW operates a 9-boat rental fleet (Legend boats with Mercury motors). Walk-up and call-ahead rentals available, see harrisboatworks.ca/rentals or call 905-342-2153.
You can build a live CAD quote for your repower online at Mercury Repower Centre.
Other rental options exist around Bewdley, but availability and quality vary. Call ahead before driving up.
Safety, The Stuff People Skip
PFDs. One per person, accessible, and at least one is a wearable Type III. Required by Transport Canada.
Pleasure Craft Licence (PCL). Required for boats with motors 7.5 kW (10 HP) or larger. The 2026 PCL changes converted lifetime licences to 5-year renewals at $24. Check your PCL is current before you launch.
Pleasure Craft Operator Card (PCOC). Required for anyone operating a powered boat in Canada. One-time test, not annual.
Required safety equipment. Sound-signaling device (whistle or horn), bailer, paddle, anchor, navigation lights for sunset operation. Transport Canada publishes the full list, and CO2-charged life jackets count as PFDs.
The sunken railway. Worth mentioning twice. Know where it is on your chartplotter. Slow down across the middle of the lake.
Wind and weather. Check the forecast. A west wind on Rice Lake at 25+ km/h is enough to make smaller boats uncomfortable; over 35 km/h is genuinely dangerous in smaller hulls.
Fuel and Services on Rice Lake
HBW (Gores Landing) sells ethanol-free 89-octane marine fuel directly at our dock. Easier on outboards than the 10% ethanol you get at most pump stations. We're open daily during boating season.
For Mercury service, parts, or repower questions, we're a Mercury Marine Platinum dealer. Mercury dealer since 1965, family marina on Rice Lake since 1947. Service requests at hbw.wiki/service. Phone 905-342-2153.
What we see at HBW
Rice Lake has its own quirks. Stumps in the central basin, weed mats in late July, and a navigable channel between the islands that catches every first-time boater. Most of our marine-tow callbacks in summer involve someone running aground on Tick Island or Black Island shoals.
The good news: the lake is small enough that you can learn the hazards in a season. Slow down in the west end shallows, stay in the marked channel between islands, and pull your prop up at the Hastings end of the lock chamber. Walleye and largemouth fishing are best at sunrise and sunset.
Related guides
- Rice Lake Ontario Fishing Guide 2026: An honest 2026 guide to fishing Rice Lake, Ontario: species, seasons, FMZ 17 regulations, top spots and the.
- Trent-Severn Waterway 2026: Free Lockage, Hours, and a Local's Trip Plan: 2026 Trent-Severn boating guide, free lockage dates, hours, locking-through tips, and a trip plan from a.
- Why Boat Rentals and Shared Access Are Booming in 2026: How Harris Boat Works Gets You on the Water: The boat rental market is surging across North America. Here's why shared boating is exploding, what's.
- Rice Lake's Full-Service Marina Since 1947: The best full-service marina on Rice Lake, Ontario. Family-owned since 1947 in Gores Landing. Mercury.
FAQs
How deep is Rice Lake?
Most of the lake is 6–10 ft deep. The deepest spots are around 18 ft.
Is Rice Lake safe for swimming?
Yes, with the standard cautions, watch for boat traffic, watch for weeds, avoid the area near the sunken railway. Water quality is generally good but check local advisories before swimming in mid-summer when weed and algae growth peaks.
Can I take a small boat from Rice Lake to Peterborough?
Yes, via the Otonabee River north out of Rice Lake into the Trent-Severn system. The Peterborough Lift Lock is one of the highlights of the trip.
What's the closest restaurant or pub to HBW?
The Captain's Table at the Gores Landing wharf is a 2-minute walk. Other options in nearby Cobourg and Bewdley.
When does Rice Lake freeze in winter?
Usually mid-to-late December, though increasingly unpredictable. Ice fishing is popular when the lake freezes safely. Always check ice conditions independently, don't rely on tradition.
Where can I get a Mercury motor serviced near Rice Lake?
Harris Boat Works in Gores Landing. Mercury Marine Platinum Dealer · Mercury dealer since 1965. For engine repairs, we only service Mercury and Mercruiser.
Internal Links
Ready to Boat Rice Lake?
If you need a Mercury motor or repower, build a quote at mercuryrepower.ca.
For service, parts, or rentals, contact us at harrisboatworks.ca or 905-342-2153.
Harris Boat Works | 5369 Harris Boat Works Rd, Gores Landing, ON | Mercury Marine Platinum Dealer | Since 1947
Sources
Ready to price it out? Build a live CAD quote for your repower online at the Mercury Repower Centre.
