locations to Kayak

'Near' Toronto is a little vague. I reside in Oshawa, which might or might not be considered near. Believe it or not, I enjoyed a paddle up the Rouge River, launching in the Park where the Rouge enters Lake Ontario in Scarborough It is very shallow, and I could only paddle as far up as the 401, but with the steep banks, amazingly there was no sign that you are actually in the midst of a busy metropolis, other than the sound of traffic. Even startled some blue herons. Frenchman's Bay, in Pickering is sheltered, and the water is warm, even in April. There is a beach at the south-west end of the bay where you can park and launch. Take the baseline road west from Liverpool road, turn south at the traffic light, all the way to the lake, then east on dirt road. Don't drive too far into the sand, or you'll be calling a tow truck! Lake Scugog is another choice, about an hour's drive. Launch right in Port Perry, or at the north tip of Scugog Island, or at Ceasarea on the east side of the lake. Rice lake is another hour's drive east. Whitby harbour is another interesting paddle, but you'll have to pay a couple of bucks to park at the boat ramp on the west side. There is a small river that meanders from Port Perry to Seagrave - a short distance as the crow flies, but it has so many twists and switchbacks that it is a several-hour paddle. Launch sites at bridges north and west of Port Perry. Dang, the name of the River escapes me... The Beaver river looks paddleable in the Cannington area. I also paddle Lake Ontario, late in the season when it has warmed up, and is calm. You can enter at Frenchman's Bay, or Whitby Parks, or Oshawa Lakeshore Park, or Bowmanville (Bowmanville creek is also a couple hours of paddling) or Newcastle. Avoid Lake Ontario if you're not confident yet, and don't even think of going out on it without a life jacket ON.

It came to me - it is the Nonquon River. Bit weedy in places, and the kayak had to slide over 1 beaver dam, but all in all a nice paddle.

Slightly further east there is also Duffins Creek in South Ajax and Lynde Shores Conservation Area off Bayley Road between Ajax and Whitby.

I was kayaking at the former today. The water level is low, but for a beginner you can't get into much trouble -unless you venture out from the creek into Lake Ontario.

Good luck,

[snipt]

Have done the Lynde Shores Coversation area a fews times, but quit going there when they put the parking meter in!

Duffins Creek - where do you access it? I was there recently, at the parking lot for the Ajax waterfront trail. There is still a launching ramp, but a sign states that any type of boating is forbidden! There also appears to be no access to Lake Ontario from the creek, unless you drag over a large sandbar.