Le lac Memphrémagog — joyau des Cantons-de-l'Est.
1. Lake Memphrémagog at a glance
The Lake Memphrémagog — one of southern Quebec's largest lakes:
- Length: about 45 km
- Maximum width: ~2 km
- Maximum depth: over 100 m
- Border: straddles Vermont (the south is American)
Magog is at the northern end of the lake.
The lake is the epicentre of local life:
- Summer: swimming, sailing, kayak, fishing, cruises
- Winter: thick ice allows cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, ice fishing
The water quality is exceptional — water comes from small unpolluted tributaries and is among the purest in southern Quebec.
2. Beaches and public access
Several public lake accesses:
- Plage des Cantons: the main beach — sand, picnic, parking, summer lifeguards
- Entry free for Magog residents, ~$8/vehicle for visitors
- Parc de la Pointe-Merry (downtown): playground, picnic tables, fishing dock
- Parc des Braves and Parc de la Baie de Magog: less crowded access
All public beaches are supervised from late June to late August.
The entry to Plage des Cantons is free for Magog residents. For frequent visitors, a non-resident season pass costs ~$50 and becomes worthwhile after ~6 visits.
| Access | Visitor fee | Main feature |
|---|---|---|
| Plage des Cantons | ~$8/vehicle | Sand, lifeguards |
| Parc de la Pointe-Merry | Free (ramp ~$10) | Downtown, playground |
| Parc des Braves | Free | Less crowded |
| Parc de la Baie de Magog | Free | Less crowded |
| Parc national du Mont-Orford | SÉPAQ entry | Lake access further from centre |
3. The International Crossing
The Traversée internationale du lac Memphrémagog:
- Since 1969 — one of the world's longest open-water swimming competitions
- 32 kilometres between Newport (Vermont) and Magog
- Start: usually around midnight
- Duration: 10 to 15 hours in the water
- Participants: Canada, USA, France, Mexico, Argentina
Beyond the main race, several shorter races are open to amateurs:
- 1 km — for beginners
- 5 km
- 10 km
Registration opens several months in advance.
4. Water activities and rentals
Summer activities:
- Rentals: kayak (~$25/h), paddleboard, sailboat, motorboat (~$200+/day)
- Dinner cruises on the Grand-Cru boat — reservation required
- Fishing: lake trout, walleye, pike, bass
A Quebec fishing licence is mandatory — available online or at Canadian Tire.
Winter activities:
- Ice fishing on the ice — several companies rent equipped huts
- Cross-country skiing and snowshoeing on frozen ice (check safety conditions)
- Skating on the maintained sections
5. Safety and rules of use
The lake is generally safe, but some precautions matter:
- Check the weather before kayak or sail — winds can rise quickly
- Life jacket mandatory aboard any boat — regardless of distance; the SAAQ can issue a fine
- Swimming outside supervised zones: increased risk (currents, muddy bottoms)
Winter ice safety:
- Minimum 15 cm thickness for a person
- Minimum 30 cm for a light vehicle
- Check conditions before each outing
Drownings happen more often from cold-water hypothermia than from inability to swim — even a strong swimmer can succumb in minutes in 5°C water.
6. Frequently asked questions
The most common questions on Lake Memphrémagog: swimming quality, waterfront owners, and free access for non-residents.
Is swimming in the lake really safe and clean?
Yes — water quality is regularly tested by the Town of Magog and consistently rated « excellent » for swimming.
- The lake is fed by small unpolluted tributaries
- Among the purest in southern Quebec
- Weekly inspections of public beaches in season
Watch for cyanobacteria (blue-green algae) in heat waves:
- When they occur, the town posts warnings and closes affected beaches
- Always check the beach-status page before going
Children should swim only at supervised beaches — deep water and currents exist outside marked zones.
Most of the lake seems lined with private property. How do I access it by boat?
Several public boat ramps:
- Parc de la Pointe-Merry (downtown): free for residents, $10 for non-residents
- Parc des Braves: free
- Plage des Cantons: during opening hours
Several private marinas offer paid launches and seasonal docking.
Once on the water, the lake is public — you can navigate everywhere.
But you CANNOT access via private waterfront properties, and most shoreline outside public parks is private.
Some sandy bottoms accessible only by water make excellent anchor spots for picnics.
Is there free access for non-residents of Magog?
Several completely free accesses:
- Parc des Braves and several small waterfront parks: free for all
- Parc de la Pointe-Merry: only charges the boat ramp
Plage des Cantons is the paid attraction:
- ~$8/vehicle for visitors
- Non-resident season pass: ~$50 — worthwhile after ~6 visits
Free alternatives further from the centre:
- Parc national du Mont-Orford: lake access (separate SÉPAQ entry)
- Private campground beaches accessible to campers
7. See also
To go further on outdoors in Magog:
- Discover Mont-Orford and outdoors in Magog for hiking, skiing and Sépaq.
- See first steps in Magog for the library and municipal leisure.
- Prepare your outings with getting around Magog to reach the beaches by bike or car.
8. Official sources
Author's Note: Summer in Magog revolves around the lake. Investing in a used kayak or paddleboard changes everything.
