Brysons Bay is a small indentation on the eastern shore of Clear Lake, around mile marker 108.2, roughly two-thirds of the way north toward Burleigh Falls. The bay offers 9 to 11 feet of water with good holding bottom, tucked against the eastern shoreline where the lake narrows before its final approach to Lock 28.
The bay provides useful protection from prevailing westerly winds, though it remains open to weather coming off the lake from the west and southwest. In settled conditions, this is a pleasant mid-lake stop with the characteristic clear water that defines this part of the Kawartha chain.
Brysons Bay sits in the quieter northeast section of Clear Lake, away from the main waterway traffic corridor that runs more centrally through the lake. The cottage density here is moderate, and the shoreline retains good tree cover.
| GPS Coordinates | 44.5232°N, 78.1729°W ⚠ Unverified |
| Water Body | Clear Lake — Brysons Bay |
| Region | Kawartha Lakes |
| Mile Marker | MM 108.2 (from Veterans Skyway Bridge) |
| Depth Range | 2.7–3.4 m 9–11 ft — Waterway Guide |
| Holding Quality | Good |
| Nearest Lock | Lock 28 — Burleigh Falls (~3 km west) |
| Overnight | ⚠ Conditional |
Brysons Bay provides good protection from westerly and northwesterly winds thanks to its position against the eastern shore. The bay is open to the west across the lake and exposed to any easterly weather. In prevailing summer conditions — typically southwest to west winds — the bay offers a reasonable lee, though a strong west blow can still push chop into the anchorage.
| Dinghy Access | ✗ No |
| Shore Access | No formal public shore access. The shoreline is predominantly private cottage properties. |
| Pet Friendly | No votes yet |
Nearest provisioning: Limited provisioning nearby. Burleigh Falls Inn is located near Lock 28, approximately 3 miles north by water. Young's Point General Store at Lock 27 is roughly 5 miles south and carries a full range of groceries, dairy, baked goods, beer, wine, and basics.
Scenic notes: A pleasant lakeside setting with good tree cover along the eastern shore. The water remains notably clear this far north on the lake. The scenery is typical cottage-country Kawarthas — attractive and comfortable rather than dramatic.
Brysons Bay is positioned on the eastern shore of Clear Lake, approximately 3 miles south of Lock 28 at Burleigh Falls. This section of the lake begins to narrow as the waterway funnels toward the dramatic 8.2-metre lift at Burleigh Falls, which marks the transition from the Kawartha Lakes lowlands to the Canadian Shield country of Stoney Lake and the upper system.
The bay is one of several anchorage options in the northern half of Clear Lake, along with nearby MacKensie Bay and Cassidy Bay, each offering different wind protection profiles.
| Lock | Name | Direction | Distance | Lift |
| #28 | Burleigh Falls | Upstream | ~8 km | 7.32 m24 ft |
| #27 | Young's Point | Downstream | ~6 km | 2.13 m7 ft |
Brysons Bay works as a practical waypoint anchorage on the run between Young's Point and Burleigh Falls. The 9 to 11 feet of depth is adequate for most TSW cruisers, though boats drawing more than 4 feet should sound carefully on approach and set the hook with attention to swinging room.
The easterly protection is the main draw here. If the afternoon westerlies are building and you are not keen on an exposed hook in open water, Brysons Bay puts the eastern shore between you and the wind. The trade-off is that an east wind — less common but not rare in summer — will push straight into the bay.
This is not the anchorage for a multi-day layover, but for a single night on the way to or from the Burleigh Falls lock, it does the job. The water clarity remains excellent this far north on Clear Lake, and the setting is peaceful once the day-tripper traffic settles down in the evening.
Sound carefully on approach as depths transition from the deeper lake to the 9-to-11-foot shelf in the bay. Watch for scattered rock near the shoreline margins. Weed growth can increase through the summer months in the shallower sections.
Have photos of Brysons Bay — Clear Lake?
💌 Email captain@trentsevernguide.comBrysons Bay — Clear Lake — Video Guide Coming Soon
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