Big Rideau Lake

Infobox lake
lake_name = Big Rideau Lake
image_lake = Sunset_on_the_Big_Rideau.jpg
caption_lake = Sunset
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location = Eastern Ontario
coords = coord|44|45|N|76|14|W|region:CA-ON_type:waterbody|display=inline,title
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basin_countries = Canada
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cities = The Big Rideau Lake is a lake in Eastern Ontario, Canada. The lake is located 72 kilometres (45 miles) to the southwest of Ottawa, Ontario, is 32 kilometres (20 miles) long and is 6 kilometres (4 miles) wide. The lake is much narrower at is northeastern end than at its southwestern end. The lake forms part of the Rideau Waterway, and is the largest lake along the route of the Rideau waterway. The Upper Rideau Lake is connected to the Big Rideau Lake through the Narrows Locks at the southwestern end of the lake. The small community of Rideau Ferry is located at the junction between the Big Rideau and Lower Rideau Lake, at the northeastern end of the lake. The town of Portland, Ontario is located along the southern shore of the lake. A speed skating tournament is held each winter on the Big Rideau Lake at Portland [http://www.portlandoutdoors.com]

The shoreline of the Big Rideau Lake is lined with hundreds of cottages and homes. A public recreation area and campground, Murphy's Point Provincial Park [http://www.ontarioparks.com/English/murp.html] [http://www.friendsofmurphyspoint.ca] , is located along a substantial stretch of the shoreline on the northern side of the lake.

The Big Rideau Lake Association (BRLA) [http://www.brla.on.ca/home/home_index.htm] is a non-profit organization that was formed in 1911 and is based in Portland, Ontario, situated on the lake. Its purpose is "to preserve and enhance the quality of life on Big Rideau Lake."

The common fish found in the Big Rideau Lake include sunfish, rock bass, northern pike, large and small mouth bass, crappie and lake trout.