10 Facts about Sudbury's Lake Wanapitei

There are over 300 lakes located in Greater Sudbury, Ontario, but about a 30-minute drive northeast of the city will take you to the largest, and arguably most unique.

From its origins as an impact crater, to the mysteries surrounding its true depth, Lake Wanapitei is a beautiful natural wonder. Read on to find out what makes it so special.

1. It's the world’s largest lake contained within the boundaries of a single city.

This isn’t just the largest lake in Sudbury—at 13,256.80 hectares in size with a perimeter of 160.40 kilometres, and a maximum depth of 142 meters, this is the largest lake in the world contained within the boundaries of a single city, according to GreaterSudbury.ca.

The lake earned the title in 2001, when the townships of Norman, Rathburn, Scadding, and Maclennan, which border Lake Wanapitei, were annexed into Greater Sudbury.

(The former title-holder? Ramsey Lake, also in Sudbury.)

2. A meteorite formed the lake…and a second one collided not far away.

Scientists believe the lake was formed by a meteorite colliding with the earth’s surface over 35 million years ago.

Perhaps even stranger, the city was the site of another meteorite impact not too far away over a billion years ago. The area known as the Sudbury Basin is the world’s third-largest verified crater.

Stack local brewery and taproom created an award-winning brew named Impact, inspired by these events.

3. The first known person to swim the lake crossed it in just over three and a half hours.

In 2019, 55-year-old Toronto resident Joe Wiley swam the lake to raise more than $20,000 toward research at SickKids hospital.

According to an article in the Sudbury Star, he was the first-known person to attempt this, and it took him just over three and a half hours to cross 11.8-kilometres of lake.

4. A non-operational provincial park is on the north shore.

One way to enjoy the beauty of the lake and its surroundings is by visiting Wanapitei Provincial Park, which gives access to the north shore of the lake.

The park is non-operational, meaning it isn’t regularly staffed and doesn’t run activities or facilities. Google reviewers say because of this, the roads getting there are a little rough— best suited for a truck or SUV—but that it’s well worth the trip for the tranquil experience once you’re there.

5. Its name has an unexpected meaning.

The lake was initially named Wahnapitaeping, meaning “place where the water is shaped like a tooth,” according to the Wahnapitae First Nation, the Anishinaabe community located on the shores of the lake.

Other sources have translated the name simply to “molar,” and aerial views of the lake show that rather than being circular in shape, it has two southern tips that could be interpreted as the “roots” of a tooth. 

6. The lake has a small community of residents.

According to Greater Sudbury, there are 370 permanent residents of Lake Wanapitei and 180 seasonal/recreational residents.

The lake also has several small islands, with names like Blueberry, Howie, Bonanza and Pirate Island. Most are uninhabited, but some have cottages or vacation properties.

7. It has sandbars—and sandbanks.

Sandbars streak the northern part of the lake, with towering sandbanks edging it. They were formed by “active erosion,” resulting from a hydro generation dam at the outlet of Wanapitei Lake, which led to artificial lake levels, according to The Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks website.

8. There’s an annual concert in the lake.

Now in its 8th year, “Berrio on the Sandbanks” is a lake-based concert that can only be reached by boat. Last year, over 255 boats showed up to the free event. This year’s event is slated for July 20.

The unique experience takes place on the north banks of the lake, with local country musician Larry Berrio and his band performing from a floating stage in the water, and concert-goers also enjoying the music from in the water!

Berrio also staged a winter concert on the frozen lake, which fans snowmobiled to—it can be seen in his music video for “What a Ride.”

9. It’s an angler’s paradise.

Spring phosphorus results from the lake show it is likely oligotrophic (meaning nutrient-poor), which often means limited vegetation, and deep, clear water.

Anglers will find a diverse variety of fish, including lake trout, walleye, pike, smallmouth bass and perch, and it’s also a popular spot for ice fishing.

There are, however, limited access points. Tony’s Marina at the south end of the lake has a paid launch. There are additionally several free access points from Wanapitei Provincial Park on the north shore.

10. There’s some mystery surrounding its true depth. 

Greater Sudbury puts the official depth of the lake at 466 feet, however, locals have speculated it could go even further.

According to a Sudbury Star story from 2020, a local cottager took his fish-finding sonar device out on the water one day and managed to get a reading of up to 900 feet depth in one spot.

David Pearson, a Laurentian University scientist, told the Sudbury Star there’s a chance that geological fault lines could account for depth points deeper than the 466 feet that was surveyed.

Sudbury is home to a variety of other waterways, perfect for canoeing and kayaking, scenic routes for cyclists, and excellent fishing spots. Need more inspiration? Check out this epic roundup of local summer experiences.  

Find more things to do and places to stay in Sudbury!

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