Deer Bay anchorage is the overflow option when the extremely popular Lock 30 (Lovesick) walls are full. The best spot is off Three Islands in 9 to 13 feet, positioned as far from channel wake as possible.
Protection is directional — exposed to northerly winds. Choose your position based on the day's forecast.
| GPS Coordinates | 44.5595°N, 78.2757°W ⚠ Unverified |
| Water Body | Lower Buckhorn Lake / Deer Bay |
| Region | Kawarthas |
| Mile Marker | MM 117.2 (from Veterans Skyway Bridge) |
| Depth Range | 2.7–4.0 m 9–13 ft — TSWIDB |
| Holding Quality | Good |
| Nearest Lock | Lock 30 — Lovesick (~3 km) |
| Overnight | ⚠ Conditional |
Exposed to any winds with a northerly component. Long way to get protection from southerly winds. For easterlies: fewer weeds off town of Deer Bay. For westerlies: try across from Deer Bay. For N/S winds: choose Lower Buckhorn Lake instead.
| Dinghy Access | ✗ No |
| Pet Friendly | No votes yet |
Dock notes: Lock 30 Lovesick — extremely popular, fills early. Overnight limited to one night. Plan to arrive early.
Scenic notes: Lock 30 is the prettiest lock on the TSW — situated on an island between two islands, only accessible by boat.
Lock 30 is arguably the prettiest lock on the entire TSW — an island lock only accessible by boat, wildly popular. The walls fill early and overnight is limited to one night. If you can't get a spot, Deer Bay off Three Islands is your fallback. The 9-13 feet is solid, but you're exposed to anything with north in it. Check the forecast before committing.
CAUTION: Submerged power cable crosses route near Km 193.2 (Mile 121) near west end of Lower Buckhorn Lake. Do NOT anchor or fish in this vicinity (CHS CEN309 §4-161).
Have photos of Deer Bay — Three Islands (Lovesick Lake)?
💌 Email captain@trentsevernguide.comDeer Bay — Three Islands (Lovesick Lake) — Video Guide Coming Soon
Subscribe to @trentsevernguide for anchorage walkthroughs.
Anchored here recently? Help fellow cruisers with a quick report — depth readings, holding quality, wake conditions, and any hazards you noticed.
Boater reports are currently closed for this anchorage.
Sécurité, Sécurité, Sécurité. Report a navigational hazard on the Trent–Severn Waterway. Your report will be reviewed before publishing. All reports are for informational purposes — always verify conditions on the water.
We use cookies to improve your experience and analyze site traffic. Analytics cookies are only set after you consent. You can change your preferences anytime.
Get notified when new content launches — plus early access to lock-by-lock intelligence, seasonal updates, and cruising advisories.
No spam, ever. Unsubscribe anytime. Your data stays on our server — we don’t use third-party email platforms.
Get seasonal updates, new lock intelligence, cruising advisories, and guide additions — delivered to your inbox.
No spam, ever. Unsubscribe anytime.