Snake Island (Lake Simcoe)

Snake Island is located in Lake Simcoe, Ontario, Canada.

Snake Island (the larger of the two islands seen) in Lake Simcoe.

After the War of 1812, these islands, along with Fox Island and Georgina Island were purchased by Chief Joseph Snake (a member of the Chippewas of Georgina Island First Nation) from the British. It is unclear if the islands were named after him.

Like Georgina Island and Fox Island, Snake Island are inhabited by band members with homes located along the shores of the island. There are no roads and old dirt trails connecting the residents. The only means to reach the island is by private boats to docks in front of the homes. Winter travel is by fan boats only. The interior of the island is partially covered by trees.

From the 1940s until at least the mid-1960s, a girls' camp, Camp Centennial, occupied a large piece of property facing the mainland village of Island Grove. Vern and Marion Hickingbottom purchased the camp in the early 1950s from the founding owners, named Henderson, who remained in a cottage next to the camp for many years. Local first nations people from the Porte, Bigcanoe and McCue families worked at the camp and operated a popular tuck shop on the island; many participated in the annual Snake Island Regatta.

Economy

Some homes on the island have been rented out as cottages during the summer months.

During the winter and when ice conditions permit, ice fishing is a popular activity. The commercial operators are based in Georgina, not from the island itself.