Muskoka lake guide
Skeleton Lake
Ancient Meteor Crater, 9.1 m Clarity: Muskoka's Most Geologically Unusual Lake
- Nearby
- Huntsville (25 min east), Rosseau (25 min south), Parry Sound (40 min northwest)
- In a line
- Skeleton Lake's basin is the eroded remnant of a meteorite impact crater, estimated at about 800 million years old. It is nearly circular at 3.6 km across, ringed by cliffs, with 9.1 m water clarity.
Overview
Skeleton Lake covers 2,075 hectares with a maximum depth of 65 m and mean depth of 32 m, deep water that stays cold through the summer and supports a self-sustaining, naturally reproducing lake trout population that MNR has not needed to stock since the habitat proved sufficient on its own. The 42 km perimeter includes two public islands: Hog's Back and Anderson's Island (popular for cliff jumping). The lake is spring-fed, which contributes to its 9.1 m Secchi clarity. It straddles the Town of Huntsville and the Township of Muskoka Lakes, meaning different planning jurisdictions can apply depending on which shore your property is on.
Good to know
- 9.1 m Secchi clarity, the highest measured reading of any major Muskoka cottage lake, above Lake of Bays, Rosseau, and Joseph
- Cliffside shoreline with steep topography that limits buildable area on many lots
- No connection to the Muskoka Lakes waterway system, so the lake is self-contained and entirely residential
- Dual proximity to Huntsville (east) and Rosseau (south) gives two distinct service corridors
Worth checking
Before you buy on Skeleton Lake.
- 01
The lake straddles two jurisdictions: the Town of Huntsville on the eastern arm and the Township of Muskoka Lakes on the western section. Shoreline development, zoning, and permit processes differ depending on which side of that boundary the property sits.
- 02
The self-sustaining lake trout fishery is protected under MNR's lake trout designation, which triggers the most restrictive shoreline development policies in the District of Muskoka Official Plan. New boathouses require a demonstration of no net loss of fish habitat.
- 03
Bedrock depth varies along the western shoreline, and surface granite is sometimes a thin layer over fractured impact breccia. Ask about foundation conditions and any geotechnical work on the lot.
- 04
Summer youth adventure camps operate on the south and northeast shores. Check how close the property is, since camp watercraft add seasonal traffic in specific bays.
General information. Your home inspector, your lawyer and the township confirm the details on any specific property.
Talk to Seth
Thinking about Skeleton Lake? Call Seth.
He'll tell you the long version: the bays, the roads, and what to look at on any cottage you're considering.