The first campers/residents at Ottermere were the Native Peoples, over the years many artifacts have been found around the Lake proving the area has long been inhabited. 



The Lake as we know it got it’s start when Ernest Edward Hurley arrived at Ottermere in the early 1900’s and became a permanent resident. His first cabin was at the south end of the lake but he later moved to the point on the north side of the creek. He operated a General Store, Post Office, rented Cabins and had a Trap Line, everything he did was by hand, it is hard to imagine what his life would have been like compared to all the conveniences we have today.



Mr. Hurley was also an accomplished photographer who produced postcards with the pictures that he took around the area, he would then sell the postcards in his store.



Shortly after Mr. Hurley arrived at Ottermere the  Campers started arriving, in the early years they were made up mostly of residents of Transcona Manitoba who worked at the CNR Shops, and travelled to the lake by Train.

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For many years there was a Campers Special that left Transcona Manitoba on a Friday night and returned on Sunday night enabling people to take the train to the lake for the weekend. Despite the protests of many Campers along the whole line the Campers Special was discontinued in the 1980’s. There is limited train service now but some people are still able to take advantage of the train.