10 Things to Pack for a Rice Lake Cottage Weekend in the Kawarthas

Generic cottage packing lists tell you to bring sunscreen and a towel. You already knew that. This is specific to a Rice Lake cottage weekend — the conditions, the things that catch people off guard. Notes throughout on where staying at Mildred’s Lakefront Resort Cottage at Bellmere Winds changes what you need.

1. Layers for the Evenings

Rice Lake evenings drop fast. Even in July, once the sun goes below the treeline it can feel like early October on the dock. Bring at least one warm layer per person. A wind-resistant shell is better if you’ll be on the water after 7pm. Without it, someone goes inside early and misses the best part of the day.

2. Rain Gear

The Kawarthas get real summer weather — actual storms, not just drizzle. A proper rain jacket means you can still walk, sit on a covered dock, or do a day trip to Warsaw Caves without the weather shutting everything down. Kids with rain gear go outside. Kids without it are bored by 10am.

3. Fishing Gear for Rice Lake

Rice Lake has largemouth and smallmouth bass, walleye, pike, and perch. What’s worth bringing: a medium-action spinning rod (versatile for bass and walleye), soft plastic lures for bass around dock structure, jigs and live minnows for walleye early morning or evening, a landing net, and an Ontario fishing licence — buy it online before you leave. A small organized tackle box beats a trunk full of gear you won’t use.

4. A Proper Cooler

Mildred’s has a full-size fridge, so you’re not relying on a cooler for food storage. But a secondary cooler for the dock or fish storage is worth it. A 40-50 litre hard cooler fits in a car without taking over the trunk and holds ice for a full day on the water.

5. Reef-Safe Sunscreen

Conventional sunscreens with oxybenzone and octinoxate are damaging to freshwater ecosystems. Rice Lake is a working lake people have swum in for generations. Mineral sunscreens (zinc oxide or titanium dioxide) are widely available and work fine for dock days.

6. Water Shoes

Dock edges and shorelines have texture — algae, metal edges, rounded rocks. Water shoes are inexpensive, take almost no space, and make getting in and out of the water much more comfortable. Also useful at the Bellmere Winds pool. One pair per person.

7. A Portable Bluetooth Speaker

Evenings on the dock are the centerpiece of a cottage weekend. A waterproof speaker that holds a charge for 8+ hours makes them better. Check the charge before you leave home.

8. Card Games and Board Games

You will have at least one rainy stretch. Six people inside for a full day need something to do beyond TV. A deck of cards covers a lot of ground. One compact board game handles the rest.

9. Pool Toys for Kids

Bellmere Winds has a pool and kids are going to use it. The resort won’t have floaties to borrow. A few inflatables and pool noodles take minimal car space and make the pool meaningfully more fun for the 4-10 age range.

10. Offline Maps

Cell coverage around Rice Lake is inconsistent. Before leaving home, download the offline map for the Keene area in Google Maps. Pull up directions to Warsaw Caves and Petroglyphs Provincial Park while you have signal. Five minutes before you leave the driveway — do it.

What You Don’t Need to Bring

Because Mildred’s is a managed resort property: dish soap and cleaning supplies are stocked. Towels are provided. You don’t need to plan every meal — the Bellmere Winds restaurant is a real option for a couple of meals during the trip.

Ready to Book?

Mildred’s Lakefront Resort Cottage is open Victoria Day through Thanksgiving, sleeps 6, and sits on Rice Lake with a private dock and full Bellmere Winds Golf Resort access. Book at resortcottagesontario.ca/book/.

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