Category Archives: Pine Lake

Muskoka Lakes Membership Renewal

Subject: Keep Muskoka Sparkling – Renew Your MLA Membership

Open Letter to Our Clients

When you close your eyes, can you hear it? The gentle lap of water against sun-warmed rock, the call of a loon across the bay, the scent of pine carried on a soft breeze. Muskoka has a way of weaving itself into our hearts, becoming not just a place, but a part of who we are.

That is why your membership in the Muskoka Lakes Association matters so deeply. Since 1894, the MLA has been the voice and the guardian of this shimmering paradise, protecting our water quality, standing watch over our precious shorelines, and celebrating the timeless joy of cottage life.

Your 2025 membership was gifted to you, and I truly hope you’ve felt the connection it brings, because updates keep you informed, events gather us together, and our community cares as much about Muskoka as you do.

Now, as the season turns, I warmly invite you to renew your membership for $150 and continue standing with us in protecting all that makes Muskoka magical, the sparkling lakes, the whispering pines, the rugged granite, and the laughter of families at the water’s edge.

Renewing is more than a transaction, it’s a declaration: I belong here. I care about this place. I will help protect it for generations to come.

Your renewal keeps Muskoka’s waters clean, our traditions alive, and our voices strong.

Please take a moment today to renew your membership at www.mla.on.ca.

Thank you, from my heart, for being part of this story. Together, we keep Muskoka shining.

Catharine Inniss

Realtor, J&D Muskoka

In Muskoka, better late than never; skating rink on the lake.

Most are anticipating spring now, but it seems to still be about a week away before any sort of warmup. Some folks though, are having way too much fun, still enjoying beautiful winter weather.

We were out yesterday, delivering Cottage Life Show tickets to some of our clients (now all friends actually) along with Catharine’s “Welcome Spring” cookies – this year they’re canoe and paddles.

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Among others, we found two by the fire on Pine Lake, two about to go snowshoeing on Lake Muskoka, two just getting back to Lake Joseph from lunch, and … two clearing the snow for a skating rink. That’s right, just days from when the fish huts have to be off Muskoka lakes because of ice break-up, they were making a rink! And having a wonderful time doing it!

The newest rink in Muskoka.
The newest rink in Muskoka.

There’s nothing quite like skating on the lake, at the cottage. Heading inside to relax by the fire afterward is pretty good too.

In 2003, there was virtually no snow in Muskoka until about a week into January. It was quite cold though, so I had a chance to enjoy a very large rink – really cool!

Winter 2003. Took up long distance skate training.
Winter 2003. Took up long distance skate training.

These sort of conditions don’t occur very often, so lake rinks are more a product of dedication and some degree of work(fun). If you want to get started right away, or want to file this away until December-ish 2013, here’s some good, mostly Muskoka stuff:
From Huntsville, someone really into rinks.
Some rink and safety info from a Muskoka cottage products web-retailer.
Keeping the rink smooth from Cottage Life magazine.
And one of many home grown methods to improvise a bodger Zamboni for the ultimate surface.