Horseshoe Island sits near the northern end of Clear Lake at mile marker 111.4, close to the approach to Lock 28 at Burleigh Falls. The anchorage offers 7 or more feet of water with good holding on a weedy bottom, providing a convenient staging spot for boats waiting to lock through Burleigh Falls or looking for a quiet hook in the upper reaches of the lake.
The island creates a natural breakwater that provides shelter depending on your position relative to it. You can anchor on either side of the island to suit the wind direction, using the island itself as your wind block. The 7-foot depth is adequate for most TSW cruisers, though boats with significant draft should sound carefully, as the weedy bottom can mask the true hard-bottom depth.
This is the last anchorage opportunity before Burleigh Falls, and the closest to the lock approach. The setting is distinctly different from the broader expanses of Clear Lake to the south — you are now in the narrowing upper lake where the Canadian Shield granite begins to assert itself in the shoreline.
| GPS Coordinates | 44.5593°N, 78.1791°W ⚠ Unverified |
| Water Body | Kawartha Lakes — Horseshoe Island |
| Region | Kawartha Lakes |
| Mile Marker | MM 111.4 (from Veterans Skyway Bridge) |
| Depth Range | 2.1+ m 7+ ft — Waterway Guide |
| Bottom Type | Weedy |
| Holding Quality | Good |
| Nearest Lock | Lock 28 — Burleigh Falls (~1 km south) |
| Overnight | ⚠ Conditional |
Horseshoe Island provides variable protection depending on where you anchor relative to the island. The island itself serves as a natural breakwater — anchor on the lee side to suit current wind conditions. Overall protection is moderate; the upper reaches of Clear Lake are more confined than the open southern sections, which naturally limits fetch from most directions.
| Dinghy Access | ✗ No |
| Shore Access | No formal public shore access. The island and surrounding shoreline are natural areas without developed facilities. |
| Pet Friendly | No votes yet |
Nearest provisioning: Burleigh Falls Inn is located near Lock 28, less than a mile to the north. Young's Point General Store at Lock 27 is approximately 8 miles south by water.
Scenic notes: The upper reaches of Clear Lake begin to show the geological transition toward Canadian Shield country. The shoreline here has more rock exposure than the southern sections of the lake, and the landscape feels more rugged. The island itself adds visual interest, though this is a utilitarian anchorage rather than a scenic destination.
Horseshoe Island marks the northern end of the Clear Lake anchorage zone, sitting just south of the final approach to Lock 28 at Burleigh Falls. This is where the broader lake gives way to the narrower passage leading to one of the more dramatic locks on the Trent-Severn Waterway.
Lock 28 at Burleigh Falls lifts boats 8.2 metres (27 feet) in a single chamber — the result of a 1967 rebuild that combined the original flight lock (chambers 28 and 29) into one hydraulic lock. Beyond Burleigh Falls, the waterway enters Stoney Lake and the granite landscape of the Canadian Shield. The character of the TSW changes noticeably from this point north.
| Lock | Name | Direction | Distance | Lift |
| #28 | Burleigh Falls | Upstream | ~3 km | 7.32 m24 ft |
| #27 | Young's Point | Downstream | ~11 km | 2.13 m7 ft |
Horseshoe Island is the tactical anchorage on Clear Lake — the one you use when you want to be first at Lock 28 in the morning. Burleigh Falls has one of the higher lifts on the TSW at 27 feet, and during peak season the queue can build quickly. Anchoring here the night before puts you minutes from the lock wall at first call.
The weedy bottom is the main thing to manage. At 7 feet, there is enough water for most boats on the TSW, but the weed growth means your anchor may need a second set to bite through to the holding ground beneath. Give the hook a solid reverse test before you shut down for the night. When the anchor does set through the weeds, the holding is good — but a superficial set on top of the weed mat will not hold in a blow.
This is not the anchorage for a multi-day stay. It is a working anchorage — a practical overnight stop for transit purposes. The setting is pleasant enough, with the island providing a buffer from the lake, but the real value here is proximity to Lock 28. If you want scenery and relaxation, MacKensie Bay or Cassidy Bay are better choices further south.
Weedy bottom can prevent anchors from reaching the holding ground beneath. Set the hook firmly and reverse-test before committing. Sound carefully as the 7-foot depth may vary, and weed growth can mask true bottom depth. The approach to Lock 28 is nearby — maintain awareness of lock-bound traffic in the area.
Have photos of Horseshoe Island?
💌 Email captain@trentsevernguide.comHorseshoe Island — Video Guide Coming Soon
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