Slaughter Island sits at mile 41 on the Trent River, in the section known as Seymour Lake — a broad widening of the river between the Healey Falls locks and Hastings. The anchorage offers approximately 10 to 15 feet of water with good holding and all-around protection from both wind and wake. A cluster of islands, including Slaughter Island itself, creates a natural sheltered pocket set back from the main navigation channel.
This is a genuinely protected spot on a section of the waterway that can otherwise feel exposed when westerly winds build across Seymour Lake’s open fetch. The island group breaks the wind from every direction, and the anchoring area sits in the lee of enough landmass to keep conditions settled even when the main lake surface is choppy. For cruisers making the run between Campbellford and Hastings, this is one of the better overnight options.
The island carries a storied name rooted in the area’s Indigenous history — the site of a historical conflict between the Mississaugas and Haudenosaunee nations over control of these rich hunting and fishing grounds. Archaeological finds on the island speak to centuries of use long before the canal system reshaped the water levels.
| GPS Coordinates | 44.381°N, 77.839°W ⚠ Unverified |
| Water Body | Trent River (Seymour Lake) |
| Region | Trent River |
| Mile Marker | MM 41.0 (from Veterans Skyway Bridge) |
| Depth Range | 3.0–4.6 m 10–15 ft — Waterway Guide |
| Bottom Type | Mud and sand |
| Holding Quality | Good |
| Nearest Lock | Lock 15 — Healey Falls (~8 km) |
| Overnight | ⚠ Conditional |
All-around protection from both wind and wake. The Slaughter Island group creates a natural breakwater that blocks fetch from every direction. Even when westerly winds build across the open expanse of Seymour Lake, the anchoring area behind the island cluster remains sheltered. This is one of the better-protected anchorages on the Trent River between Campbellford and Hastings.
| Dinghy Access | ✗ No |
| Shore Access | No formal public shore access at the anchorage. Slaughter Island itself may be accessible by dinghy, but the island is unserviced with no trails or facilities. This is a self-sufficient anchorage — bring what you need aboard. |
| Pet Friendly | 0% Yes (1 vote) |
Nearest provisioning: Campbellford is the nearest full-service town, approximately 15 km upstream via the waterway beyond the Healey Falls locks. Campbellford has grocery stores, hardware, pharmacy, restaurants, LCBO, and a hospital. Plan to provision in Campbellford or Hastings before anchoring here.
Scenic notes: Seymour Lake is a pleasant, wide stretch of the Trent River with scattered wooded islands, gentle shorelines, and mixed tree cover. The island group adds visual interest and a sense of seclusion. In autumn, the hardwoods along the shoreline put on a fine colour display. The historical character of the island adds interest beyond the purely visual.
Slaughter Island is located on the Trent River in the section called Seymour Lake, a broad widening of the river between Healey Falls and Hastings. The waterway here transitions from the confined, lock-intensive reach above Campbellford into a more open lake-like environment where the river spreads out among scattered islands.
The Healey Falls locks (Locks 15, 16, and 17) lie approximately 8 km upstream. Lock 15 has a lift of 6.6 metres (22 feet), and the dramatic Healey Falls Flight Lock (Locks 16/17) has a combined lift of 8.2 metres (27 feet). Downstream, Lock 18 at Hastings is approximately 16 km away with a lift of 2.7 metres (9 feet). This positions Slaughter Island in a long, uninterrupted cruising reach between lock stations.
| Lock | Name | Direction | Distance | Lift |
| #15 | Healey Falls | Upstream | ~8 km | 6.6 m22 ft |
| #18 | Hastings | Downstream | ~16 km | 2.7 m9 ft |
Slaughter Island offers a straightforward approach from the main channel. Depart the marked route and work your way into the lee of the island group, sounding as you go. The 10-foot minimum gives reasonable clearance for most cruising boats, and the bottom sets an anchor reliably — expect mud and sand rather than the weedy conditions that plague many Trent River anchorages further downstream toward Hastings.
Be aware that Seymour Lake can develop a short, steep chop when westerly winds pipe up. The lake is wide enough to generate meaningful fetch on a sustained west or southwest wind, and paddlers and small open boats have been caught out here. Behind the island cluster, however, you are well sheltered from these conditions. Pick your spot based on the forecast — the west and southwest sides of the island group offer the best lee in prevailing conditions.
This is a quiet anchorage with limited nearby traffic. You are roughly 8 km downstream of the Healey Falls locks and 16 km upstream of Hastings, which means you will see transit boats during the day but the area settles down by late afternoon. There are no facilities at the anchorage — come provisioned and self-sufficient.
Sound your approach carefully when departing the main channel — depths can vary around the island margins and shoal areas may extend from the island shorelines. Seymour Lake can build a steep chop quickly in strong westerly winds. While the anchorage is protected, the approach across open water may be uncomfortable in deteriorating conditions. Monitor water levels, as this section of the Trent River is controlled by the upstream lock system.
Have photos of Slaughter Island Area?
💌 Email captain@trentsevernguide.comSlaughter Island Area — Video Guide Coming Soon
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