Photo Credit: Chris Kanters
What’s New
DOUG HALE MEMORIAL GOLF TOURNAMENT
AUG 8, 2026
The Charleston Lake Association will be holding its annual golf tournament at Cedar Valley Golf Club on Aug 8th. It is a significant fundraiser for the organization and a great way to see your friends and neighbors. It is a 4-person scramble, so no golfing experience is necessary.
Grab your foursome and register early as the tournament fills up.
CHARLESTON LAKE PROVINCIAL PARK EXPANSION
The Province of Ontario is proposing to expand Charleston Lake Provincial Park by adding Crown lands directly east of the park under the Provincial Parks and Conservation Reserve Act, 2006 (PPCRA). Details of the proposal and associated maps can be found at: https://ero.ontario.ca/notice/025-0031
AED (Automated External Defibrillator)
CLA has paid for and installed two AEDs at each end of the lake for public use. One is located at Lakeline Lodge (782 Cedar Park Lane) and the other is located at Whispering Pines (931 Burma Lane). They will be available from May to October.
SUMMER CAMPS 2026
The Charleston Lake Association will be running 3 summer camps at Sand Bay County Park, Monday to Friday from 9am to 4pm. The Camps are:
Nature Camp: July 6-10; CAMP IS FULL
Adventure Camp: July 13-17;
Sports Camp: July 20-24.
Fees will be $100 per camper and must be paid at time of registration.
“LET’S GET THE LEAD OUT”
Lead poisoning from fishing tackle is a preventable threat that continues to harm loons and other wildlife across Ontario’s lakes and rivers.
CLA is proud to be part of the “Let’s Get The Lead Out” initiative, that is working to build awareness and support for legislative change by promoting lead-free fishing. Click on the video to learn more about lead poisoning in loons and other wildlife, directly attributed to toxic lead fishing tackle.
Download and sign the petition and help us gather signatures.
LOON NESTING CYCLE
This year we will be posting weekly videos of the four nests that we have.
It’s been an exciting first week on the loon rafts ! Having had a long winter spring has sprung into action and we already have eggs on two of the Common Loon nesting rafts. Nest 1 saw some mating behaviour as soon as the cameras were installed and it wasn’t long until the first egg was laid. Courtship continued and a second egg was far behind the first. This pair have been great parents so far and have been incubating throughout the changing weather conditions. Nest 2 also saw an early egg and after seeing through some wind and rain the female laid another. This nest is particularly cosy with hemlock branches sheltering the nest from lake conditions and its sheltered position. Nest 3 has been quieter with most loon visits during the evening. This nest has seen some unwanted attention with an array of predators visiting including; mink, otters and ravens. This nest will sure provide some interesting twists and turns should the loons decide to nest here. Nest 4 has been slow this year. With changing weather conditions earlier in the spring it is very likely that pairs arrived at different times. Some may say love is a slow burn and perhaps for this couple that will be the case. Let’s hope this year they raise both of their chicks !
What We Do
The Charleston Lake Association (CLA) and The Charleston Lake Environmental Association (CLEA) are implementing projects to preserve and enhance our beautiful lake for future generations by…
Building a strong community by offering CLA Events
Protecting Water Quality
Promoting Boating Safety
Maintaining Healthy fisheries
Preserving the natural environment of the lake for birds and wildlife
Partnering with the wider community, townships and agencies to support our Charleston Lake Community
Protecting healthy ecosystems, including thru land conservation
Charleston Lake Facts
6,220
Acres of water surface with a shoreline length of 94 miles
100
The approximate number of islands
302
Feet of water depths
- Charleston Lake is located in South Eastern Ontario, just north east of Gananoque. The lake is carved out of the Frontenac Axis, a relatively narrow extension of the Canadian shield bedrock which dominates the landscape of Northern Ontario.
- Features a drainage basin comprising 100 square miles in area, and flows into the St. Lawrence River via the old Gananoque River. A dam is located at the outlet village which controls water flow used by the Gananoque Light and Power Company to generate hydro electric power.
- Has seven water inflows. Five of these have negligible flows and are considered seasonal streams. The two predominant inlets are Bailes Creek which drains Wilste and Eloida Lakes, and Leeder’s Creek, which drains Graham, Centre and Temperance Lakes.
- Supports a fish population comprising Lake Trout, Norther Pike, Small and Large Mouth Bass, and 14 other species of fish varying from Yellow Perch to American Eel.
- Enjoys over 200 days each year with no measurable precipitation. The average number of days of precipitation for July and August is 12 with 90 mm of rain.
- The average temperature in July and August is 26 degree high and 16 degree low.
- Has 3 public boat launches: Charleston Village, Cataraqui Conservation at Charleston Village and at the Outlet.
- Has two marinas: Kelsey’s Marina and Lakeline Lodge and Marina
- Has 75 Bouys and shoal markers
