{{Short description|Lake in Nova Scotia, Canada}} {{Distinguish|Big Bass Lake, Pennsylvania}} {{Use Canadian English|date=February 2026}} {{Infobox body of water | name = Big Ass Lake | image = Canada, Nova Scotia, Big Ass Lake.jpg | type = Glacial lake | location = Nova Scotia, Canada | coordinates = {{coord|44|55|32|N|62|55|58|W|display=inline,title}} | inflow = | outflow = | islands = 0 | cities = None | area = Approx {{convert|150000|m2|km2|abbr=on}}<ref name=":1" /> | length = {{convert|750|m|ft}}<ref name=":1" /> | frozen = | reference = <ref name=":1" /> | pushpin_map = Nova Scotia | pushpin_map_caption = Location in Nova Scotia | other_name = }} {{Attached KML |title = Polygon of lake }}
'''Big Ass Lake''' is a glacial lake in Halifax County, Nova Scotia, Canada.<ref name=":4" /> It is located {{convert|60|km|miles|abbr=on}} to the northeast of Halifax, the capital city of Nova Scotia and {{convert|253|km|miles|abbr=on}} from Sydney, Nova Scotia.<ref name=":1" /> The lake was formally named on March 5, 1953.<ref name=":5">{{cite web |title=Place names – Big Ass Lake |url=https://geonames.nrcan.gc.ca/search-place-names/unique?id=CACXC}}</ref>
== Geography == The lake measures {{convert|555|m|feet}} across at its widest point, while its longest diagonal length measures approximately {{cvt|750|m|ft}}. Surface area is approximately {{Convert|150000|m2|km2}}.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |title=Canadian Coast Guard – e-Nav Nautical Chart Viewer |url=https://e-nav.ccg-gcc.evouala.com/application/run/950/embedded |access-date=2025-08-29 |website=e-nav.ccg-gcc.evouala.com}}</ref> Depth measures about {{convert|3|to|8|m|ft}}. The lake has no islands.
It is connected to Gold Lake<ref name=":4">{{Cite web |last=Government of Canada |first=Natural Resources Canada |title=Place names – Big Ass Lake |url=https://geonames.nrcan.gc.ca/search-place-names/unique?id=CACXC |access-date=2025-08-30 |website=geonames.nrcan.gc.ca}}</ref> by an unnamed creek. Lakes nearby include Dreadnought Lake, Little Mud Lake, North Twin Lake and South Twin Lake.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=The National Map |url=https://apps.nationalmap.gov/viewer/?z=14&y=44.925556&x=-62.932778 |access-date=August 25, 2025|website=United States Geological Survey |language=en}}</ref>
The lake has two arms: one located at the southeastern corner and another oriented toward the east-southeast.<ref name=":0" />
=== Region === thumb|EL6489 region Big Ass Lake is in Canada, Nova Scotia, Halifax county.<ref name=":4" /> It is in the Eastern shore, Mooseland region.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Community Plan Areas |url=https://www.halifax.ca/about-halifax/regional-community-planning/community-plan-areas |access-date=2025-09-24 |website=www.halifax.ca |language=en}}</ref> More precisely, it is in the EL6489 region {{Also known as}} the Gold Lake region.<ref>{{Cite web|title=EL6489 Region – Gold Lake |url=https://novascotia.ca/natr/meb/data/ar/2012/AR_ME_2012-099.pdf}}</ref> The EL6489 region includes all of Gold Lake, a majority of Big Ass Lake, and a partition of Little Mud Lake.
=== Features === Big Ass Lake borders Ship Harbour Long Lake Wilderness Area, which protects {{cvt|16,500|hectare|acre}} of rugged woodlands.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Change |first=Department of Environment and Climate |date=2009-04-01 |title=Ship Harbour Long Lake Wilderness Area {{!}} Protected Areas |url=https://www.novascotia.ca/nse/protectedareas/wa_shipharbourlonglake.asp |access-date=2025-08-30 |website=www.novascotia.ca |language=en}}</ref> A nearby hill, Reid Hill, is situated close to the lake.<ref name=":1" /><ref>{{Cite web |last=Government of Canada |first=Natural Resources Canada |title=Place names – Reid Hill |url=https://geonames.nrcan.gc.ca/search-place-names/unique?id=CBFOV |access-date=2025-09-26 |website=geonames.nrcan.gc.ca}}</ref>
== Access == Big Ass Lake is accessible via Nova Scotia Route 224, which runs from Shubenacadie to Sheet Harbour. From Elmsvale, the lake can be reached by following Mooseland Road toward the Moose River Gold Mines. Big Ass Lake is also accessible via Nova Scotia Highway 7.<ref>{{Cite web |title=511 Nova Scotia |url=https://511.novascotia.ca/511.novascotia.ca |access-date=2025-09-29 |website=511.novascotia.ca |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last=Orkin |first=David |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=OKl-NCxc2vsC&dq=nova+scotia+highway+7&pg=PA364 |title=Nova Scotia |date=2013 |publisher=Bradt Travel Guides |isbn=978-1-84162-454-9 |language=en}}</ref>
== See also == * List of lakes of Nova Scotia * Place names considered unusual * KML file for Big Ass Lake {{Portal|Canada}}
==References== {{reflist}}
== External links == {{sister project links|display=<big>Big Ass Lake</big>|position=right|wikt=Big Ass Lake|c=Category:Big Ass Lake|commonscat=yes|n=no|q=no|s=no|b=no|v=no|voy=no|species=no|d=Q22412476|m=no|mw=no}}
* [https://www.openstreetmap.org/#map=16/44.92627/-62.93420&layers=N OpenStreetMap: Big Ass Lake] * [https://www.geonames.org/5899484/big-ass-lake.html GeoNames: Big Ass Lake]
Category:Landforms of Halifax County, Nova Scotia Category:Lakes of Nova Scotia