Chiefs Island on Lake Couchiching offers two CHS-verified anchorage positions, both with confirmed mud bottom — making these among the best-documented anchorages on the entire TSW.
North side of the island: approximately 8 feet (2.4 m), mud bottom. NE side: 4 to 6 feet (1.2 to 1.8 m), mud bottom. Both verified in CHS CEN309 §7-35.
These are two of the most popular anchorages on the whole waterway, despite the strict restriction against landing on the island, which is sacred ground of the Rama First Nation.
| GPS Coordinates | 44.665°N, 79.385°W ⚠ Unverified |
| Water Body | Lake Couchiching |
| Region | Severn |
| Mile Marker | Near Lock 42 (from Veterans Skyway Bridge) |
| Depth Range | 1.2–2.4 m 4–8 ft — CHS CEN309 §7-35 (verified 2025 + 2021) |
| Bottom Type | Mud CHS Verified |
| Holding Quality | Good |
| Nearest Lock | Lock 42 — Couchiching (~8 km south) |
| Overnight | ✓ Overnight OK |
| CHS Chart | CHS CEN309 §7-35 (verified 2025 + 2021) ↗ CHS |
Two CHS-verified anchorage positions near Chiefs Island. North side: ~8 ft (2.4 m), mud bottom. NE side: 4-6 ft (1.2-1.8 m), mud bottom. Foul ground between Chiefs Island and Ship Island — avoid. South shoreline is shallow and weedy with shoals extending up to 0.8 km.
| Dinghy Access | ✗ No |
| Pet Friendly | No votes yet |
Dock notes: Public dock at Shannon Bay; Lock 42 Couchiching walls available
Nearest provisioning: Orillia — ~5 km south. Large grocery, liquor store, bakeries, library, banks, restaurants.
Scenic notes: Two of the most popular anchorages on the entire waterway. Sacred ground of the early Ojibwa chiefs of the Rama First Nation.
This is it — the anchorage that most TSW veterans consider the highlight of the waterway. Two CHS-verified mud-bottom positions, good depths, and a setting that feels genuinely special. The no-landing restriction is absolute and must be respected — Chiefs Island is the burial site of the early Ojibwa chiefs of the Rama First Nation.
Watch for sudden storms on Lake Couchiching — CHS warns they're frequent. The lake can kick up a nasty chop in foul weather. Also watch the south shoreline of the island: shallow and weedy with shoals extending nearly a kilometre.
DO NOT LAND ON CHIEFS ISLAND — sacred ground; graves of early Ojibwa chiefs of the Rama First Nation. Visitors are NOT permitted to land (CHS CEN309 §7-36). Foul ground between Chiefs Island and Ship Island. South shoreline shallow and weedy with shoals extending 0.8 km. Sudden storms and squalls are frequent on Lake Couchiching (CHS CEN309 §7-29).
Have photos of Lake Couchiching — Chiefs Island?
💌 Email captain@trentsevernguide.comLake Couchiching — Chiefs Island — Video Guide Coming Soon
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