| Salerno Lake | |
|---|---|
| Location | Haliburton County, Ontario |
| Group | Kawartha lakes |
| Primary outflows | Irondale River |
| Basin countries | Canada |
| Max. length | 4 mi (6.4 km) |
| Average depth | max. approx. 40 feet (12 m) |
| Islands | 1 small island, several other immersed rocks |
Salerno Lake, formerly Devil's Lake, is a lake in Ontario's cottage country. It is an approximately 2 and a half hour drive away from Toronto. Salerno Lake is about 4 miles (6.4 km) long. It is a narrow lake that resembles a large river. The lake is in a big valley, and the water level drops off rather quickly. Most places in the lake are about 25 feet (7.6 m) deep, but there are two spots where it can get as deep as 45 feet (14 m). The lake falls in two municipalities: Highlands East and Minden Hills in Haliburton County.
To reach Salerno Lake from the GTA, take the following highways, always travelling north or east: Highway 48, Highway 12, Highway 48, Highway 35, Highway 45, Highway 503 to Irondale.
Close towns to the lake include Kinmount and Gooderham. Haliburton is slightly further away, but still within a reasonable drive (25–35 minutes).
White Lake empties into Salerno Lake, which empties into the Irondale River, which empties into Burnt River. Like all of the water bodies in this system, the lake was used to transport logs to Toronto in the 19th and 20th Century.
Originally named Devil's Lake, the name was changed to Salerno after the Italian city of that name after the Salerno landings during 1943, in respect of which the Canadian Army played a prominent role. The name change was suggested by the government of Ontario and published on a federal map in 1944 as a distinctive name in order to eliminate the common name "Devil". The name Salerno Lake was eventually approved by the Canadian Board on Geographical Names in 1953.
Salerno Lake is home to smallmouth bass, largemouth bass, perch, walleye, and muskie. It also has rock bass, sunfish, mussels, and crayfish.
The Salerno/Devil's Lake Cottagers' Association is over 40 years old. It consists of a board of directors that deal with issues and organize events such as the annual canoe race and the Canada Day fireworks. The association encourages all cottagers to become a member, and sends out a newsletter by mail.