Welcome to Steenburg Lake, home to more than 200 permanent and seasonal residences. Some of our families have been here more than 50 years and have a long history of lake stewardship and being one with nature. Learn more about our member families by reading their stories.

If you visit the lake, you might enjoy seeing our Loons, Blue Herons, otters, snapping turtles, garter snakes and frogs. Beavers make themselves busy in the creeks flowing into and out of the lake along with a variety of other mammals including deer, moose, fox, raccoons and more.

Located in the Limerick/Tudor-Cashel Townships, Steenburg Lake is about 1.1 kilometres (0.7 mi) west of Ontario Highway 62 and 28 kilometres (17 mi) south of the town of Bancroft. The lake is about 281 hectares in size and has a maximum depth of about 20 meters. The lake is approximately 3.2 kilometres (2.0 mi) long and 2.8 kilometres (1.7 mi) wide and lies at an elevation of 316 metres (1,037 ft). It has four named islands: Crab Island, Dewey's Island, Picket Island and Powers Island; and two named bays: Adam's Bay and Austin's Bay. Sunset Point from the east and The Headland from the west jut into the middle of the lake.

There are six inflows. Mud Creek from Paddy's Lake at the southwest is the only named one. The other five unnamed creek inflows are: two at the northwest, one at the north, one at the northeast and one at the east. The primary outflow is Bass Creek to Limerick Lake, which flows via Beaver Creek, the Crowe River and the Trent River to the Bay of Quinte on Lake Ontario at Trenton. (Wikepedia)

Fish species include Large Mouth Bass, Small Mouth Bass and Splake.

Controlling invasive species in Steenburg Lake

In 2018 the Federation of Ontario Cottage Associations (FOCA) visited Steenburg Lake  as part of the Aquatic Invasive Species Program. Eurasian Water-Milfoil, an invasive species,  was found at that time. Read the report. 

In response to the report the SLCA began promoting the Clean, Drain, Dry program encouraging visitors and residents alike to clean, drain and dry their boat and gear before putting it in any body of water. This program is designed to prevent the spread of invasive species throughout Ontario's lakes.

In 2025, following the discovery of EWM in several more areas of the lake, the SLCA made EWM Education a primary focus for the year. See our many downloadable information sheets on our Invasive Species tab. And don't forget to check out the series for kids.

Rock Markers

The SLCA places Rock Markers around Steenburg Lake as seen on this map as a courtesy to the those who enjoy the lake.

Locations are approximate, and this service is provided on a ‘best effort’ basis only.  

The SLCA cannot be held responsible for any damage that may be caused by these rocks.  We didn’t put them there, but we would like to help you avoid them.

Please enjoy the lake at your own risk.

Steenburg Lake - Fishing Zone 15

Largemouth and Smallmouth Bass

Limits: S-6 and C-2

Season: fourth Saturday in June to November 30

More on Zone 15

Ice fishing on Steenburg Lake

To ice fish in Ontario, you need to:

• have a valid fishing licence (such as sport or conservation)
• follow the rules when ice fishing, including local open and closed seasons, possession limits and size restrictions indicated in the Recreational Fishing Regulations Summary
• register your ice hut – only in Fisheries Management Zones (FMZ) 9-12 and 14-20. Steenburg Lake is in FMZ 15.
• clearly display your registration number on the outside of your ice hut
• remove fishing huts in FMZ 15 (Steenburg Lake) by March 31. All ice huts must be removed before ice breakup, even if no removal date applies.

“The removal of an ice hut does not indicate the end of ice fishing in that location. This is a safety measure to ensure all huts are removed before thawing occurs.” – Ontario.ca

For more information on fishing huts:  https://www.ontario.ca/page/ice-fishing#section-4

Ice safety tips

Uneven:

• remember—ice doesn’t freeze at a uniform thickness
• near-shore ice is often much thicker and safer than ice farther out, especially at the start of the winter season
• check thickness regularly with a spud bar or auger as you move farther out
• ice that formed over flowing water, springs, pressure cracks, old ice holes or around the mouths of rivers and streams can be weaker than surrounding ice

Colour:

• clear blue ice is the strongest
• white or opaque ice is much weaker
• stay away from ice that looks honeycombed, common during thaws or in the spring

Driving on ice:

• be careful when driving snowmobiles or vehicles over frozen lakes or rivers
• snowmobiles need at least 20 centimetres (8 inches) of clear blue ice
• light vehicles need 30 centimetres (12 inches) or more
• double the thickness if the ice is white or opaque
• heavy snow on a frozen lake or river slows down the freezing process

Before you venture out:

• check ice conditions with local ice hut operators or other anglers
• let others know where you’re planning to fish and when you plan to return
• wear appropriate clothing and equipment for safety and comfort

Source: Ontario.ca

Steenburg Lake Depth Map

At its deepest points, Steenburg Lake is approximately 66 feet, however, the water depth varies across the lake. This map provides a guideline of the water depth around the lake.