Conestogo Lake
Cottage Living on Conestogo Lake
Conestogo Lake is a reservoir on the Conestogo River in the Township of Mapleton, northwest of Elmira. The Conestogo Dam opened in 1958 to reduce flooding and protect water supplies downstream.
Today the lake is a summer favourite for boating, sailing, swimming and fishing for walleye, perch and smallmouth bass. The Conestogo Lake Conservation Area near Wallenstein offers camping, a beach and a boat launch from May to mid October.
Leased Land
How the Cottage Lot Program Works
The land around the lake belongs to the Grand River Conservation Authority (GRCA), which leases close to 400 cottage lots to cottage owners. Each owner holds the lease on the lot and owns the buildings on it, including the cottage, outbuildings, dock, well and septic system.
What owners should know
- Cottages are for seasonal use, from mid April to mid November, with limited winter use.
- Building, removing or changing a structure needs GRCA approval first.
- Property taxes are invoiced twice a year.
- The GRCA does not plough the cottage roads in winter.
- Water levels change through the season because the lake is managed for flood control.
Buying a Cottage
Buying on Leased Land
A cottage on leased land works a little differently from a freehold home or a condominium. These are the steps I walk my buyers through.
Before you buy
- Read the current lease and the GRCA rules for the lot before you make an offer.
- Check the cottage, well, septic system and dock, and confirm that past changes to buildings were approved by the GRCA.
- Ask the seller about property taxes and lease fees.
- Plan your closing date around the lease transfer. The GRCA needs at least two weeks to approve it once all documents are in.
Selling a Cottage
Selling Your Cottage
Cottages on Conestogo Lake are sold like any other property. Once you accept an offer, you ask the GRCA to approve the transfer of the lease to the buyer. I help you gather the lease, past approvals and other documents early, so the sale and the closing stay on track.
The Sister Lake
Conestogo and Belwood Lake
Belwood Lake, near Fergus, is owned and managed by the GRCA under the same cottage lot program. Many buyers look at both lakes before they decide. Read more about cottages on Belwood Lake.
My Connection to the Lake
Our Family Cottage Since 2008
My family has owned a cottage on Conestogo Lake since 2008. Over the years I have helped many clients buy and sell cottages here. I served as a road representative for several years and sat on the board of the Conestogo Lake Cottage Association, so I know how the lease program works day to day.
Thinking about buying or selling a cottage on Conestogo Lake? Send me a note with the form below, and the cottages for sale right now are listed further down the page.
