The lake is influenced both by the rugged granite of the Canadian Shield to the north, and by the more gentle, heavily forested Great Lakes–St.

Early First Nations settlement is evidenced by a remarkable collection of prehistoric rock carvings to be seen at the east end of Stony Lake in Petroglyphs Provincial Park.

On-going historic research argues that Samuel de Champlain traveled through the area's lakes, rivers and overland portages in the 17th century.

The American Canoe Association met on Juniper Island in 1883, and development evolved naturally from travellers fishing or hunting from simple lodges.

As well, those early settlers, at Young's Point, Kawartha Park, McCracken's Landing, Mount Julian and others around the lake, found new sources of income by helping cottagers in many ways: ice cutting, building, guiding, boat repairs and domestic chores.

Edwin C. Guillet, then the provincial archivist and author of The Valley of the Trent, argued that the spelling should be with an "e." He went on at length citing numerous historical references for support....

Support for this spelling comes from the Peterborough Examiner and a host of Trent Canal publications.Ronnie Hawkins owned an estate on the lake until he sold it in late 2017 for $3.98 million.