Growing up, I was lucky enough to spend my summers in the 1970s and 80s at my grandparents’ cottage on Doe Lake in Katrine, Ontario. The cottage was situated between Bayview Rest, a well-known resort that was owned and operated by Ted Rivers. Ted was a hard-working individual who put a lot of effort into his business. He was a kind person and was always eager to meet new people. He had a golden lab dog named “Toby”. We owned the mother of Toby. This dog would be eager to go from cottage to cottage to say hello and hopefully get some treats, sometimes taking his mother with him.
The resort was a hub of activity with people constantly coming and going, making it a lively and fun place to be. I was able to spend two weeks each summer with my parents and sister, along with my grandparents and sometimes unexpected guests. There were always games of euchre and quarters and dimes in a small dish, laughter-filled days, and nights, and yes, alcohol was involved. There was always a cold beer in the fridge, even for those who would abuse the kindness. It was just the way my grandparents were.
My father had a passion for fishing, and every day on vacation, he would fish on the lake. My grandfather, who spent most of the year at the cottage and knew the lake very well, including all the best spots for a certain time of year, was also an avid fisherman. During the evenings, my father and grandfather would take 2-3 dozen minnows with them, which they usually ran out of, but they always had a stringer with fish.
I was too young to join them on the boat, but I eagerly awaited their return to hear about their catch. One of my favorite memories from those summers was when my father asked me to catch perch off the side of the dock. This was during the day when a game of cards was being played. I was only a small child, full of energy, and I saw 30 to 40 small perch at a time going after my worm. I caught them repeatedly, always eager to fulfill my father’s request of calling him when I saw that the perch had disappeared.
When my father came to the dock, he would smile and say, “Watch this!” He would then reach into the minnow pail, pull out the biggest sucker minnow he could find, usually 5 inches or larger, put the minnow on a gorge hook with a bobber, and tell me to call him when it went down. Within five minutes, the bobber would disappear, and my father would reel in a huge pike.
I have fond memories of the stunning beauty of Doe Lake in Katrine, Ontario, with its crystal-clear water and lush forests. The lake was renowned for having some large pike, with the largest one I’ve heard of being rumored to be around 30 lbs. My father and grandfather were more for pickerel but wouldn’t pass at a chance to beat that record.
We would fish at some of the lake’s most famous spots like Donny Marshals, “The Twat in the Rock” on the southwest side of the big island, The Birches, Pickerel Point, and Motrin’s Point. These spots are most likely not named that anymore, but these fishing spots hold a special place in my heart and were passed down from generation to generation.
For one summer, I was able to spend the entire season at the lake, where I was able to study the lake in depth with my father’s state-of-the-art sonar equipment and 14-foot deep-hull Lund boat equipped with a 20 hp Johnson engine. To this day, I can still tell you about the approximate depth within a few feet anywhere on the lake. In fact, when my time is up, I wish for my remains to rest just outside Donny Marshal’s Bay in about 75 feet of water.
My grandfather offered to teach me how to tie the perfect knot, and I was eager to learn. The first knot he taught me was the Improved Clinch Knot, which was perfect for attaching the fishing line to the hook. Next, he showed me the Palomar Knot, which was perfect for attaching the fishing line to the fishing lure or swivel. Finally, he taught me the Surgeon’s Knot, which was perfect for tying two fishing lines together. I went home and practiced tying each knot repeatedly until I had mastered them.
My grandfather was not only a skilled fisherman, but he also had an encyclopedic knowledge of the lake and its best fishing spots. He knew when and where to find the biggest pike, bass, pickerel, or perch, and he was always eager to share his knowledge with others. He was always willing to take me and my father to the secret spots and show us the best techniques for catching fish.
Those summer trips to Doe Lake and the cottage are filled with cherished memories that I will carry with me forever. Every time I go fishing, I think back to those days, to the laughter-filled nights, the endless games of euchre, the cold beers in the fridge, and most of all, the time I spent fishing with my father and grandfather.
The lake holds a special place in my heart, and the memories of fishing there will always be with me. Whether I am catching the biggest fish or just enjoying the peacefulness of being on the water, Doe Lake in Katrine, Ontario will always be a magical place for me. I am grateful for the time I spent there, for the memories I made, and for the lessons I learned. And I am thankful to my father and grandfather for teaching me the art of fishing and for introducing me to the beauty of Doe Lake.
Doe Lake Quick Facts
- Location: Katrine, Ontario (Armour Township, Parry Sound District)
- Species: Northern Pike, Walleye (Pickerel), Smallmouth Bass, Largemouth Bass, Perch
- Known for: Large pike — rumored 30 lb+ catches
- Best spots: Donny Marshals, The Birches, Pickerel Point, Motrin’s Point
- Max depth: Approximately 75+ feet
- Access: Public boat launch available
- Best season: Summer for pike and bass, spring and fall for walleye
Fishing Doe Lake? Make sure you know the rules before you go. Doe Lake falls in Fisheries Management Zone 15 — check our Doe Lake fishing regulations for season dates, catch limits, and everything else you need to know.
