This south shore anchorage sits along the Trent River approximately 5.5 km downstream of Lock 18 at Hastings, in the final stretch before the river opens into Rice Lake. Cameron Point, which marks the eastern entrance to the lake, lies just ahead to the west. The spot offers a quiet layover for boats waiting to time their entry into Rice Lake or for crews who prefer to stop after clearing the lock rather than pressing on across open water late in the day.
Depths run 4 to 6 feet over a weedy bottom with fair holding at best. This is a shallow-draft anchorage suited to boats drawing under 3 feet, and it should not be considered a heavy-weather stop. The bottom is soft with vegetation that can foul an anchor, so setting firmly on the first attempt is not guaranteed. A second set is common here.
The south shore provides good protection from prevailing west and northwest winds, and the riverbanks offer a pleasant wooded backdrop. However, any wind with an easterly component pushes straight up the river channel and makes this anchorage uncomfortable or untenable.
| GPS Coordinates | 44.257°N, 78.052°W ⚠ Unverified |
| Water Body | Trent River |
| Region | Trent River |
| Mile Marker | MM 54.7 (from Veterans Skyway Bridge) |
| Depth Range | 1.2–1.8 m 4–6 ft — Waterway Guide |
| Bottom Type | Weedy |
| Holding Quality | Fair |
| Nearest Lock | Lock 18 — Hastings (~5.5 km) |
| Overnight | ⚠ Conditional |
Limited protection with significant east exposure. The south shore position provides good shelter from prevailing westerly and northwesterly winds, and the riverbanks block wind from the south and southwest. However, the river corridor is open to the east and southeast, giving easterly winds an unobstructed fetch. In any weather with an east component, this anchorage becomes uncomfortable quickly. Not suitable as a heavy-weather refuge.
| Dinghy Access | ✗ No |
| Shore Access | No formal shore access. The south bank is undeveloped with no public docks, ramps, or trails at the anchorage position. For shore services, proceed to Hastings Village Marina upstream. |
| Pet Friendly | 0% Yes (1 vote) |
Nearest provisioning: Hastings (~5.5 km upstream via the river). The village has a grocery store, hardware store, LCBO, beer store, restaurants, and banking — all within walking distance of Lock 18. Limited provisioning is also available at several small marinas along the river between Hastings and Cameron Point.
Scenic notes: Pleasant but not remarkable. The south shore is wooded with a mix of hardwoods and conifers, and the river corridor has a quiet, rural character. Views upstream toward Hastings and downstream toward Cameron Point and the opening of Rice Lake add some interest. Good fall colour in September and October.
The Trent River between Hastings and Rice Lake is a straightforward run of roughly 10 km. Lock 18 at Hastings, about 5.5 km upstream, is the last lock before the river widens into Rice Lake. After clearing this anchorage and rounding Cameron Point, the route enters Rice Lake proper — a large, relatively shallow body of water where the marked channel is essential, particularly due to remnants of an old railway bridge.
Hastings itself offers a full-service village within walking distance of the lock, including groceries, hardware, an LCBO, and transient docking. Boats heading upstream from Rice Lake will find this anchorage a convenient staging point before locking through in the morning.
| Lock | Name | Direction | Distance | Lift |
| #18 | Hastings | Upstream | ~5.5 km | 2.7 m9 ft |
Draft is the primary concern here. With reported depths of 4 to 6 feet and a weedy bottom, boats drawing more than 3 feet should approach with caution and a sharp eye on the sounder. CHS Sailing Directions note a rocky patch with as little as 3 feet of water approximately 150 metres to the west-northwest of the charted anchorage position — approach from the north (from the channel side) to avoid this hazard. Do not attempt a westerly approach along the shoreline.
Set your anchor with patience. The weedy bottom means the hook may drag through vegetation before finding grip, and a reset is not unusual. An anchor with good weed-cutting ability helps. If you are not confident in your set, this is not the place to leave the boat unattended.
This anchorage is best used as a brief overnight in calm, settled conditions — not as a destination stop. If conditions deteriorate or easterlies build, plan to move upstream toward Hastings Village Marina or press on into Rice Lake where more sheltered options are available along the north shore.
Shallow depths of 4 to 6 feet limit this anchorage to boats drawing under 3 feet. CHS charts identify a rocky patch with only 3 feet of water approximately 150 metres west-northwest of the anchorage — always approach from the north via the main channel, not along the shoreline from the west. The weedy bottom can foul anchors and cause dragging; a second set is common. Regular boat traffic along the channel generates wake.
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