Satellite Depth Map
Click the map to zoom. Boat launch and parking are marked at the south end off Wabun Lake Road.
Bathymetry: Ontario MNRF (Bathymetry, Line). Satellite: Esri World Imagery.
About Wabun Lake
Wabun Lake sits in the Township of Greater Madawaska, a short drive from Calabogie in the Ottawa Valley. It's reached by a rugged, "use at your own risk" forest access road, which keeps the crowds down — the reward is extremely clear water, sheer granite cliffs along the far shore, and Crown Land campsites scattered around the lake.
The MNRF stocks lake trout here every year (locals call them "greys"), and the lake is one of the area's rare year-round laker opportunities. It has a reputation as a moody fishery: the fish are there on the sonar in the deep eastern basin, but they make you work for it. The consolation prize is excellent — plenty of smallmouth bass in the 2–3 lb class, sometimes holding as deep as 50–60 ft, with small perch as the main forage.
The launch at the south end is sandy and suits car-toppers, canoes and small trailered boats; in low-water years expect to get your feet wet. A separate launch on the Madawaska River sits nearby off the same road.
- RegionOttawa Valley (FMZ 15)
- Nearest townCalabogie, ON
- AccessForest access road
- Boat launchSandy, south end
- ParkingLarge lot at launch
- CampingFree Crown Land sites
- Water clarityVery clear
- Fish speciesLake trout, smallmouth bass, perch
Photos
Wabun Lake in May — clear water against the far-shore granite, and quiet Crown Land campsites among the pines.
Photos © BackLake — Wabun Lake, May 2026.
Lake Trout Stocking
MNRF lake trout stocking records, 2022–2026. Wabun Lake is highlighted — toggle to compare with other stocked lakes in the region.
| Water Body | Township | Lat | Lon | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 | 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wabun Lake | Greater Madawaska | 45.227 | −76.831 | 550 | 600 | 440 | 470 | — |
Source: Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources fish stocking records. 2026 numbers not yet published.
2026 Fishing Regulations
FMZ 15 · Source: Ontario Fishing Regulations Summary 2026. Always verify before you fish — regulations can change.
⭐ Wabun Lake lake trout season is open all year — it's listed as a Species Exception in FMZ 15, extending the season beyond the zone-wide January 1–September 30 window.
| Species | Open Season | Sport Limit | Conservation Limit | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lake Trout | Open all year ⭐ | 2 | 1 | Wabun Lake extended season exception. Zone-wide aggregate for all trout & salmon: Sport 5 / Conservation 2. |
| Smallmouth & Largemouth Bass | 4th Sat. in June – Nov. 30 | 6 | 2 | Combined limit for both species. |
| Walleye & Sauger | Jan. 1–Mar. 15 & 3rd Sat. May–Dec. 31 | 4 | 2 | No more than 1 fish over 46 cm in possession. |
| Northern Pike | Jan. 1–Mar. 31 & 3rd Sat. May–Dec. 31 | 6 | 2 | |
| Yellow Perch | Open all year | 50 | 25 | |
| Muskellunge | 1st Sat. June – Dec. 15 | 1 | 0 | Must be > 91 cm. Catch-and-release only on Conservation licence. |
| Brook Trout | Jan. 1 – Sep. 30 | 5 | 2 | Counts toward aggregate trout & salmon limit. |
| Rainbow / Brown Trout | Open all year | 5 | 2 | Counts toward aggregate trout & salmon limit. |
Limits are daily catch & possession. Sport = Sport fishing licence. Conservation = Conservation licence. · Bait rule: FMZ 15 is in the Central Bait Management Zone — live or dead baitfish and leeches cannot be transported into or out of the zone. Only preserved (dead) bait may cross zone boundaries.
Wabun Lake on Video
See the lake, the launch and the fishing before you make the drive.
Trip Tips
🚙 The road in
The forest access road is bumpy and rugged — fine for trucks and SUVs, rough on low-clearance cars. Take it slow.
🎣 Find the lakers
Work the deep eastern basin near the big rock face — fish are reported hugging bottom in 70–90 ft. Bring your electronics.
🏕️ Crown Land camping
Free campsites around the lake fill up on summer weekends. Pack out everything you pack in — litter has been a problem here.
📋 Check the regs
Wabun Lake is in FMZ 15. Verify lake trout seasons, limits and gear rules before you go.
Getting There
From Calabogie, follow Wabun Lake Road to the boat launch at the south end of the lake (45.227, −76.831). Parking is right at the launch.