Newly obtained radiocarbon measurements are used to suggest that the initial settlement of the northeastern Baltic area was largely controlled by the Ladoga-Baltic waterway in the north of the Karelian Isthmus, which emerged ~11,500 cal BP and remained in action for ~7000 yr. The transgression of Ladoga Lake started ~5000 cal BP and reached its maximum at ~3000 cal BP (~1100-1000 cal BC). The formation of a new outlet via the Neva River led to a rapid regression of the lake that stimulated the spread of farming populations.