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.
See Paddle Power 2026 photos on the OLA Facebook page and in this website’s Photo Gallery.
Captain Otty’s Log – July 2026
Take a look at our latest newsletter. Catch up on some AGM highlights and our guest presentations on the BaSS project and open air burning. In OLA news there are brief updates on our spring plant sale, volunteer appreciation. and a new water sampling team. Read about our resident eagles, and some of your Otty Lake neighbours: Maureen O’Brien and the five generations of Erwins. If you have story ideas for the Log, or even better, would like to write a story, get it touch! The next issue will be in October.
Read the July Captain Otty’s Log.
Wildlife Homes Workshop
Sunday July 19
This year we are offering three options: a Robin Nest Box, a Turtle Nest Protector, and a Bat House. Examples of these were displayed at the OLA Annual General Meeting on June 7th . Images and descriptions can be found here: Workshop Descriptions. If you were not able to sign up a the AGM and would like to participate, please contact David at davidmurray@customcrafts.ca by June 22nd.
OLA AGM Sun. June 7
Our Annual General Meeting on Sunday, June 7th at the Perth Legion was well attended. We’ve added the AGM presentation below in case you were unable to attend.
Agenda for 2026 AGM
Minutes of 2025 AGM
2025 Income Statement
Revised By Laws – approved at meeting
OLA AGM Presentation – includes presentations of Noelle Reeve, TVT Planner and Darren Gibson, Deputy Fire Chief DNE/Tay Valley Fire Rescue.
Bass Spawning Sanctuary Project (BaSS)
This is a new concept toward protecting bass. A shoreline area would be set aside where fishing for any species would be prohibited during the bass spawning and parental care time. Pilot Pilot projects have taken place on Opinicon and Charleston Lakes, and Otty is one of the 16 lakes participating in the next phase.
Listen to the Interview Big Rideau Lakes Association lobbying province for BaSS, 88.1 myFM radio
Read Why Bass Spawning Sanctuaries (BSS)? Dr. David Philipp
Read BSS Frequently Asked Questions Dr. David Philipp
Spawning Sanctuaries website – see some photos and explanation
Dr. David Philipp was our guest speaker on this project at our June 7, 2026 AGM. A summary will be in the July Log.
Volunteers Needed for Various Roles
The OLA is run entirely through its volunteers. Find specific volunteering opportunities under the “Living Here tab.”
Shorter Term. We need some help preparing and helping with the Wildlife Homes workshop Sat. July 19 and with Paddle Power on Sunday, August 9.
Ongoing Roles. Looking for a bigger commitment? The OLA has an ongoing need over the spring and summer for Lake Ambassadors, year round for Board Members, and would like to find a Lake Stewardship Team Lead.
Recycling Changes in Ontario
You can now recycle more materials than ever before across Ontario, including in Tay Valley and Drummond North Elmsley.
Here are some of the new materials included:
- Black plastic containers
- Hot and cold beverage cups
- Frozen juice containers
- Ice cream tubs
- Flexible plastics like plastic bags, chip bags, and bubble wrap
- Foam packaging such as meat trays, takeout containers, and cups
- Tubes like toothpaste, deodorant, and hand cream tubes
Learn more about Ontario’s enhanced recycling system.
Water Levels
The RVCA has 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.
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 financial@ottylakeassociation.ca 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. 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.
Bass Spawning Sanctuaries
See this website for great photos of the bass life cycle, and an explanation of how bass sanctuaries can help maintain healthy largemouth and smallmouth bass populations on local lakes.
2026 Promotion
See the PDF version of the promotional card.
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.