Lake Simcoe

Lore & Background

At the time of the first European contact in the 17th century, the lake was called Ouentironk ('Beautiful Water') by the Wendat (Huron) people. It was also known as Lake Taronto, a name derived from an Iroquoian expression meaning gateway or pass, originally referring to The Narrows, a channel through which Lake Simcoe discharges into Lake Couchiching. The name 'Toronto' later came to the city through the Toronto Carrying-Place Trail. French traders later called it Lac aux Claies ('Lake of Grids') in reference to Huron fishing weirs. John Graves Simcoe renamed it Lake Simcoe in 1793 in memory of his father, Captain John Simcoe, who died of pneumonia aboard HMS Pembroke in 1759.

Reader's Guide

Lake Simcoe is a significant water body in southern Ontario, bordered by Simcoe County, Durham Region, and York Region. Its watershed contains roughly half a million people, including the northern portion of the Greater Toronto Area. The lake is a remnant of the much larger prehistoric Lake Algonquin, and its outlet is controlled by Precambrian bedrock. Ecologically, it has suffered from eutrophication due to phosphorus emissions, leading to declines in cold-water fish species such as lake trout, herring, and whitefish, and invasions by zebra mussels, purple loosestrife, and other non-native species. Despite these issues, it is sometimes known as Canada's ice fishing capital. The lake's islands include Georgina Island, which forms part of the Chippewas of Georgina Island First Nation reserve, and Strawberry Island, where Pope John Paul II stayed before World Youth Day 2002.

Did You Know?

• The lake was originally called Ouentironk ('Beautiful Water') by the Wendat people.
• The name 'Toronto' originated from the Mohawk phrase tkaronto, meaning 'where there are trees standing in the water', referring to fish weirs at The Narrows.
• Lake Simcoe is a remnant of the prehistoric Lake Algonquin, which also included Lake Huron, Lake Michigan, and Lake Superior.
• Pope John Paul II visited Toronto for World Youth Day 2002, but did not stay on Strawberry Island.