Boat Rentals and Paddling on Balsam Lake: Your Complete On-Water Guide

Balsam Lake sits near the top of the Trent-Severn Waterway, connected to a chain of lakes that stretches across the Kawarthas. It’s a relatively large, open lake well-suited to motorized boating, yet calm enough in sheltered areas for paddling and swimming. Whether you’re renting a cottage for the week and need a boat, passing through the waterway, or just looking for a half-day on a jet ski, there are four distinct operations serving the lake — and they serve quite different needs.

At a Glance: On-Water Options on Balsam Lake

Rosedale Marina

Rosedale Marina has been operating on Balsam Lake since 1997, making it the longest-established rental operation on the water. Located at 52 Coldstream Road in Fenelon Falls, it’s open seven days a week during the operating season and offers the widest range of motorized rentals on the lake.

Fishing Boats

The marina rents six models of fishing boats ranging from 14 to 16 feet. Pricing varies by model:

• 14′ Smokercraft — half-day $100, day $175, week $875
• 15′ Angler — half-day $150, day $250, week $1,250
• 16′ Starfish — half-day $150, day $240, week $1,200
• 15′ Legend Sport — half-day $185, day $290, week $1,450
• 16′ Legend — half-day $220, day $375, week $1,875
• 15′ G3 — half-day $200, day $310, week $1,550

All prices are plus gas and taxes. A trolling motor can be added for $50 extra; a bimini top adds $40.

Pontoon Boats

For families or groups who want a more relaxed day on the water, the marina offers several pontoon options from 18 to 21 feet:

• 20′ Crestliner — half-day $190, day $345, week $1,725
• 18′ Avalon — half-day $205, day $385, week $1,925
• 20′ Princecraft — half-day $205, day $375, week $1,875
• 20′ Sportfisher Deluxe — half-day $205, day $375, week $1,875
• 20′ Bennington — half-day $260, day $455, week $2,275
• 21′ Avalon Deluxe — half-day $260, day $455, week $2,275

Additional Services

Beyond rentals, Rosedale Marina operates a gas dock, pump-out station, and on-site store. It also offers seasonal and transient dockage, multiple winter storage formats (heated indoor, indoor, covered, and shrinkwrap), and a full range of maintenance and repair services including fiberglass restoration, canvas and upholstery work, and boat detailing. Showers and laundry are available on-site. A $1,500 rental deposit is required.

Renters are required to have a valid operator’s licence or complete a safety checklist; a Pleasure Craft Operator Card is recommended.

Phone: 705-887-6921 | Email: info@rosedalemarina.ca

Shorelea Resort & Housekeeping Cottages

Shorelea Resort & Housekeeping Cottages is a lakefront cottage resort in the village of Rosedale on Balsam Lake, offering eight housekeeping cottages alongside boat and motor rentals. Importantly, rentals here are tied to the resort — this isn’t a standalone rental operation you can drop into for the day.

Boat Rentals for Guests

Guests can add a fishing boat with motor and one tank of gas at the following rates:

• Day: $130
• Weekend: $190
• Week: $400

The resort also offers free docking for guests and a hydro hookup for boat charging — practical perks if you’re bringing your own boat.

Cottage Stays

Cottages are priced by size and season. During high season (June 11 to September 10, plus Victoria Day, Labour Day, and Thanksgiving weekends):

• 2-bedroom (up to 4 people): $1,120/week or $195/day
• 1-bedroom (up to 2 people): $980/week or $160/day

Low-season rates are slightly reduced. Additional guests over age four are $25/day; day visitors are $5/person. A $300 deposit is required at booking.

Phone: 705-887-5144

111 Rentals (Jet Ski Rentals Fenelon Falls)

If powered watercraft and speed are what you’re after, 111 Rentals ( Jet Ski Rentals Fenelon Falls) is the only operation on the lake offering jet ski and Sea-Doo rentals. Based at 52 Coldstream Road in Fenelon Falls (the same road as Rosedale Marina), it operates across the broader Kawartha Lakes area with Balsam Lake as part of its service territory.

Jet Ski / Sea-Doo Rentals

Rentals are available by the hour, with a one-hour minimum. Pricing varies by model and day of week:

• Jet ski (regular): $90/hr weekday, $120/hr weekend
• Sea-Doo Elite: $120/hr weekday, $140/hr weekend

Multi-day and trailer-away rentals are also available, as are group and corporate packages. A jet ski and camping combo tour starts at $450.

Licensing and Requirements

No standard boating licence is required to rent a jet ski — operators receive a temporary boating permit on-site after a safety briefing. Renters must be 18 or 19 years of age (the listing notes both thresholds on different pages) and present a valid government-issued photo ID.

Snowmobile Rentals (Winter)

111 Rentals ( Jet Ski Rentals Fenelon Falls) also operates a snowmobile rental program in winter, with rates from $140–$160/hr depending on model and day. ATV rentals are listed as coming for Summer 2026.

Phone: 647-407-4016 | Email: info@111rentals.com

Balsam Lake Provincial Park

Balsam Lake Provincial Park, located at 2238 County Road 48 near Kirkfield, is the non-motorized paddling hub on the lake. The park sits along the Trent-Severn Waterway and offers canoe, kayak, and stand-up paddleboard (SUP) rentals alongside its broader recreational programming.

Watercraft Rentals

Canoes, kayaks, and SUPs are available to rent. The park doesn’t advertise motorized boat rentals. For visitors who want a quieter, lower-speed experience on the water — or who are introducing kids to paddling — this is the straightforward option.

Other Park Amenities

The park offers day use, camping, group campsites, and roofed accommodation including a fully-furnished four-bedroom cottage near the water. Fishing for walleye, muskellunge, largemouth bass, and smallmouth bass is available. There are also hiking trails, a large sandy beach, a gift shop, and online reservation capability. The park operates seasonally, typically from early May through late October (the 2026 season runs May 8 to October 26).

Phone: 705-454-3324

What to Consider When Choosing

A few practical points worth thinking through before you book:

• Do you need fuel on the water? Only Rosedale Marina operates a gas dock on Balsam Lake. If you’re renting a motorized boat elsewhere or bringing your own, factor in how you’ll refuel.
• Boating licences matter. In Canada, operating a motorized pleasure craft generally requires a Pleasure Craft Operator Card. Rosedale Marina recommends one; 111 Rentals issues a temporary permit for jet ski renters. If you don’t have your PCOC, check requirements before you arrive.
• Minimum rental periods vary. Rosedale Marina’s minimum is a half-day; 111 Rentals rents by the hour. Shorelea’s boat rental is bundled with cottage stays, not available by the hour.
• Deposits can be substantial. Rosedale Marina requires a $1,500 rental deposit; Shorelea asks for $300 at booking. Factor this into your trip budget and ensure you have room on your card.
• Weather windows. Balsam Lake is open enough that wind can build quickly. Paddlecraft users should check conditions before heading out, especially on the main body of the lake.

Comparing Your Options

For most day visitors or cottage renters who simply need a motorized boat and the convenience of on-site fuel, Rosedale Marina’s range of models and pricing tiers gives the most flexibility. Guests staying at Shorelea Resort get a simpler, bundled boat rental at competitive weekly rates without needing to coordinate separately. And if your group includes people who don’t want a motor — kids on kayaks, anyone trying a paddleboard for the first time — the provincial park fills a gap that neither marina addresses.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where can I rent a pontoon boat on Balsam Lake?

Rosedale Marina rents several pontoon models ranging from 18 to 21 feet. Day rates run from $345 to $455 depending on the model, and weekly rates range from $1,725 to $2,275, all plus gas and taxes. The minimum rental period is a half-day.

Do I need a boating licence to rent a jet ski on Balsam Lake?

111 Rentals ( Jet Ski Rentals Fenelon Falls) does not require renters to hold a standard boating licence — a temporary boating permit is issued on-site after a safety briefing. Renters must be at least 18 years old and present a valid government-issued photo ID.

Can I rent a canoe or kayak at Balsam Lake Provincial Park?

Yes. Balsam Lake Provincial Park offers canoe, kayak, and stand-up paddleboard rentals. The park operates seasonally, generally from early May through late October.

What is the cheapest boat rental on Balsam Lake?

Rosedale Marina offers its 14′ Smokercraft fishing boat from $100 for a half-day, which is the lowest published starting rate for a standalone motorized boat rental on the lake. Shorelea Resort & Housekeeping Cottages offers a boat and motor with one tank of gas for $130/day, but that rate is only available to guests staying at the resort.

Is there a marina with fuel on Balsam Lake?

Rosedale Marina operates a gas dock and is the only business in this guide that advertises on-water fuel. It also offers a pump-out station, making it a practical stop for boaters travelling the Trent-Severn Waterway.

Details verified as of July 2026.