Caledon Lake – Caledon Ontario’s Largest Lake
The above photo is a panorama picture I made of Caledon Lake which is located just south of Orangeville and west of Highway 10. Caledon Lake is easily the largest lake in all of Caledon which isn’t known for having lakes of any significant size. Given the size of the lake you would thing it would be a little more well known yet it isn’t because Caledon Lake is mostly a private lake with no easy public access to this lake and I am sure those who own cottages along this lake would like to keep it their private secret. Despite it being mostly a private lake it doesn’t appear to be totally private, except for the row of 20-30 cottages the rest of the area appears to be protected land going by the official name of the Caledon Lake Forest Conservation Area.
There is two ways to get to Caledon Lake, you can turn down a private road which leads to those cottages (road isn’t marked at all from the road) or better you can access it from the other side by driving over and up to the end of Mississauga Road. There you will find lands owned by the Peel District School Board which is a camp / nature centre. If you choose the later option simply walk up the driveway, pass the barn and you will find a trail that follows a river to Caledon Lake, make sure you are on the trail which follows the left side of the river. The trail is well maintained and a nice 5-10 minute walk to the lake. When you arrive at the lake you will see the same view as the picture above (click on the photo for a larger image).
Searching on Google I can’t find much else about the lake, only tiny bits of info here and there. It appears to be a good fishing spot, while I was there taking photos two guys arrived on the same path I took and easily started catching good sized fish with in a few minutes. The lake also looks like a great place to swim, the water very warm. Power boats also seem to be allowed on this lake despite it boarding on protected lands. Here are a few more photos of Caledon Lake.
Here is where Caledon Lake is located, click on the image below for a large version on Google Maps.
Posted: August 25th, 2009 under Caledon, Conservation, Orangeville, Photos.
Tags: Caledon, caledon lake, Conservation, lake, ontario, Orangeville, Photos
Comments
Comment from Caledon Lake Lover
Time September 20, 2009 at 9:53 pm
This lake is my favorite place in the entire world… it’s aptly described as being beautiful and great for fishing, but no words could describe the sense of community that dominates my memories there. The people there are nice and I’m sure they would be welcoming if you wanted to come for a day (ask first, of course). My only fear is that if too many people discover this “private secret” it will lose that which makes it so special in the first place.
Comment from Scott walker
Time October 12, 2010 at 9:09 pm
The people here are truely not nice. They think they own the water and have tried to kick us out before when I was younger. And there is another way to get into this lake
Comment from Jesse M.
Time October 20, 2010 at 9:40 pm
My family and I took a whole day to find this last summer and we still didnt find it
we will try the instructions given next summer
thx
Comment from Jake Monk
Time January 30, 2011 at 10:12 pm
im wondering what kinds of fish are in this lake if anyone knows?
Comment from brian
Time April 26, 2011 at 3:15 pm
I’m looking forward to getting to this lake, as land may be owned, the water cannot be. And I hope everyone is understanding of that! Hey, ill even share my catch!
Comment from michael todd
Time June 9, 2011 at 11:36 am
Hi
How do I find my way into Caledon Lake? Tried, but we got lost.
Sorry if this dupes some messages I already sent by various means.
Much obliged for the information if you can manage it.
cheers,
Comment from Bruce
Time July 10, 2011 at 10:58 am
Hi: The article on Caledon Lake is in error. It is privately owned, has a charter dated 1886, giving the Caledon Lake Company exclusive ownership of the lake and all the surrounding shoreline. Since this article appeared we have had an increase in trespassing and related vanaldism incidents. It is a quiet community, many shareholsers have been there for generations. We would apprciate your honouring our ownership of this private property.
Comment from Boo
Time July 20, 2011 at 7:40 am
No one can keep me out of this lake as no one can legally own the water! I caught a huge bass right infront of a cottager and they got all pissed and told me to leave.. Pshhh stupid people 
I stayed longer and caught more bass
Comment from caledon lake company who
Time July 22, 2011 at 3:14 pm
@ Bruce,
That’s wonderful that in your opinion you and a select few get to monopolize this beautiful natural treasure. I would love for you to post a copy of the charter as well as include all survey information if you actually believe all of this to be true. No one wishes to break laws or tresspass on your land, know that. As such, no single group should rightfully be able to claim ownership of a natural resource that is not fully contained within thier property. In fact, Bruce, it’s law. In regards to your rights, you have jack since you have triburaries feeding the water and leading out of “your” lake, you’re claim to ownership fades away to a useless piece of paper your company claims they have that was created 130 years ago. See you soon, this weather is GREAT for bass !!! Nice Catch Boo !!
P.S. This is far from a quiet community, many residents had no issue harrasing my family with vulgarity and pure rudeness. Such egotistical people full of selfishness and hate cetainly deserve each other, but hopefully in the future will leave all of those naturalists whom wish to enjoy the beauty of this lake and it’s surrounding land owned by the Credit Valley Conservation Authority alone.
Comment from Dave
Time July 22, 2011 at 4:38 pm
A good portion of the lake shore appears to be land owned by the Credit Valley Conservation Authority, also most people accessing this lake is from the school lands owned by the Peel District School Board which has nature trails directly to the lake. There isn’t any no trespassing signs anywhere on this side of the lake. I seriously doubt they own all of the shoreline as they claim and the fact still remains that you cannot own the body of water.
Comment from maniacchen
Time August 1, 2011 at 8:51 am
I have no intention of trespassing or violating anyone’s private properties, but not the natural resources they claim they own, show me the GD proof/documents if so, or else if I am harassed – usually fishing with my 4 yr old, they WILL know they have messed with the wrong guy. Bruce or whoever think you own the water, I suggest you call 911 to call the police before harassing people if you think your allegation is legit or else, go take a hike…
Comment from Homer
Time August 11, 2011 at 12:19 pm
I was there last week and we got a bunch of leeches on us. It might be nice but I do not think it is worth the hike.
Just sayn.
Comment from John
Time August 15, 2011 at 8:26 am
Its not really that much of a hike to get to the lake, if you follow the established hiking trail through the school grounds its like 5-10 minutes tops.
Comment from Lewis
Time August 15, 2011 at 8:42 am
Indeed the lake is beautiful. Unfortunately when I challenged the people on the lake to prove their right to privacy the OPP were called and supported their claim. Not worth it.
Comment from Brian
Time August 16, 2011 at 7:36 pm
Privite means private. Would you like some one going your back yard. These people work hard for this ownership. They will kick you out. And have ever legal right to. Its not worh it. Go father up north. pristine lakes, no one bothers you. This is mostly swamp. Lots of skiters, and fish have worms.
Comment from Brian
Time August 16, 2011 at 8:21 pm
The law reads: you may occupi any boody of water if you do not trespast to get there. Navigable waters are legal way in. No one can own the water, only property surunding it. But there is no access, with out trespasing.
Comment from Corey
Time August 17, 2011 at 11:33 am
There’s no signs saying your trespassing if you enter through the other side of the lake via the peel camp there. Im a caledon resident myself and just interested in seeing this lake i never knew of, none of my friends believe me there’s a lake in caledon with boats etc. Now that being said i respect and seen the private road which i definatly wouldnt go down but if im on the other side of the lake just checking it out and being respectful i dont see the problem
Comment from Peel SB
Time August 28, 2011 at 7:40 pm
Hi there, I know there is much dispute about the lake but I will say that I am an employee at the field centre at which most people have reported walking through to access the lake. The school board property is private property and you are therefore tresspassing to gain access to the lake. We have encountered some vandalism and think it’s unfortunate that some people ruin it for others as not all people are respectful of this. We would like to ask that you don’t cut through our property to access the lakes which in fact is private. There is a sign at our front gates and there will be more signs posted soon.
Thanks
Comment from es
Time January 5, 2012 at 3:26 pm
I went up to the end of Mississauga Road last October to check out the place. Peel SB has only sign that not authorized vehicles would be towed from the property. I saw some school buses and children from the distance and figured that I shouldn’t go behing the gate. Too bad that the lake appears to be not accessible for public
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