Otty Lake is located in Lanark County, Eastern Ontario. The OLA is committed to the long term health and enjoyment of our lakes and the watershed.
Shoreline Plant Sale
Ordering Opens May 1
Pickup Day May 24, 2025
The OLA is partnering with the RVCA to offer a selection of of 6 native shrubs and 6 native perennials, at discounted prices. All are in 1 gallon pots; shrubs are $6, perennials are $5. Watch your email for details. Limit of 5 plants per household, you must be an OLA member.
Annual General Meeting
Sun. June 1, Perth Legion
12:30 – 1:00 Social Time
1:00 – 3:00 Meeting
The meeting will include several presentations:
- Watersheds Canada on the results of last summer’s Love Your Lake surveys
- early results from data digitization and consolidation of four decades of water quality data
- updates from both Tay Valley and Drummond/North Elmsley Townships
Agenda and financials will be available here, as well as emailed to members prior to the meeting.
Wildlife Home Building Workshop
Tentatively July 26th or 27th. Build a bat, duck or birdhouse from OLA provided materials. Volunteers will assist with construction. Initial sign-up is at AGM June 1.
February Newsletter
Find a copy of Captain Otty’s February 2025 Log here. This issue’s stories are on the Christmas Bird Count, fishers, ice safety, bubblers, landscape artist Maureen McNeil and the Great Fire of 1970. And remember, it is never too soon to renew your OLA membership!
State of the Lake
The 2024 State of the Lake report has been posted. This report summarizes for our members the environmental conditions of Otty Lake this year. Thanks to those who contributed reports and the volunteers who put it together. Past versions of the report area available on our Environment Page.
Protecting Bass Populations
The Big Rideau Lakes Association is working with the Fisheries Conservation Foundation to lobby the province for a bass sanctuary program. Pilot projects have taken place on Opinicon and Charleston Lakes. Listen to this radio interview with Hansen Downer on 88.1 myFM news.
Listen to the Interview
Read Why Bass Spawning Sanctuaries (BSS)?
Read BSS Frequently Asked Questions
Shoal Marking
Please note that all OLA shoal markers will be placed by late May. Please be cautious of shoals when boating before then.
Water Levels
It was mentioned at our AGM that the the RVCA has installed a real time water level gauge to monitor Otty’s lake level. The link is on the “Other Water Issues” page under the Environment tab. You can see in mid July how the lake level has been rising.
Volunteers Needed
The Otty Lake Association is in need of Lake Ambassadors. We are looking for volunteers who are outgoing and enjoy talking to their neighbours. As a Lake Ambassador you will reach out to your neighbours with the idea of promoting our wonderful lake and the activities and events that the Otty Lake Association organizes and supports. Normally, this is done once a year, in the spring, as part of our membership drive. Most Lake Ambassadors spend 5 to 10 hours a year on this important activity.
We are particularly in need of volunteers in the areas of: Otty Lake South West Shore Road, Sunset Ridge, McKay Farm Road, Bishops Way, Sunset Drive, Maple Glen, and McLaren Point.
If you are interested in supporting our lake association this might be the volunteer opportunity for you. If you would like to volunteer or learn more, please get in touch through: [email protected].
Watershed Conditions Report
A new detailed analysis from the Rideau Valley Conservation Authority (RVCA) has found many parts of the Rideau River Watershed are changing fast – and not always with positive results. The RVCA’s 193-page Watershed Conditions Report is the first of its kind in more than 50 years.The analysis found several concerning trends including a continuing steep decline in large woodland patches, increasing chloride levels in our urban streams, and large shifts in surface water flow patterns linked to increased development and loss of wetlands.
Etransfer Your OLA Membership Fees
In order to continue the OLA’s work and education around the lake, we do rely on your membership dues. Please consider paying your $25 dues by e-transfer to [email protected] The security question to input is “province we live in”, and the answer is “Ontario”. Please include some identifying details in the message, such as your address, or if you are a couple, both of your names. We have had a few submissions we have struggled to identify!
if you prefer, you can mail a cheque made out to the Otty Lake Association for $25 to Otty Lake Association, Box 20122, Perth, ON K7H 3M6.
Online Registration Available
for Open Air Burn Permits
A permit is required for all open air burning. Burn permits expire every year on November 30. Please remember to renew or apply for your FREE fire permit for the 2022-2023 year. Complete your permit application online or call 613-267-2596.
Contribute Your Observations to iNaturalist
Discover and track the species that make their home in and around Otty Lake. We invite you to help us create an ongoing catalog of the wildlife for the area. This library will help us gain insight into the distribution and seasonality of the organisms in our region. It will help the scientific community through records of wildlife movements, invasive species, species at risk as well as sharing observations among friends. Visit the website or download the app.
Messages From The OLA
Missed an email from the OLA? Here are the last 20 e-blasts sent to members.
Lanark County Fire Bans
No open air burning is permitted in Lanark County from April 1st – May 15th each year (subject to change). This includes campfires and burn barrels.
Otty Lake Shoreline Handbook
The Otty Lake Shoreline Handbook provides practical, environmentally friendly information on erosion, shoreline buffers, water sources, septic systems, docks, lawns, and more. Last updated April 2017.
Info on Septic Systems
Some things you should know about septic tanks installed near Otty Lake.