A NOTICE TO ALL SPRING FISHERMEN:

The MNR has cancelled our spring fishing opportunities for most species, effective March 15 through the 3rd Saturday in May (i.e. the two-four weekend). This new law will do absolutely nothing to protect the spawning size females of all species; it only stops people from fishing for them for a couple months but come spring, it's open seasons on them again. As a lodge owner, this takes a big bite out of the income that is derived from late winter and early spring fishing. As a sport fisherman, it stops your enjoyment of the sport when the blackflies and mosquitoes haven't began yet. Your annual fishing license should be just that ... a license to allow you to fish ALL YEAR.

There are also major changes to the fishing zones across the province. Seasons have also changed. Slot sizes on some species have also changed. READ AND UNDERSTAND these regulations before going fishing!

Full details can be obtained in the 2008 fishing regulation booklet available from authorized license outlets (but not from the MNR offices; it's not their job offering this info any longer) or at the following site: http://www.ene.gov.on.ca/envregistry/027028ex.htm . I URGE EVERYONE TO VOICE THEIR OBJECTIONS TO THIS REGULATION.

Possible alternatives could include:

• reduction in our daily limit (3 to 2 fish, for lake trout),

• slot size changes (release the spawners, all species),

• reduce the number of lines for winter fishing from 2 to 1,

• total ban on gorge style hooks (to allow for live release of some fish)

Contact (in writing) your MPP (if you are an Ontario resident) as well as Donna Cansfield, the current Minister of Natural Resources. Encourage your families, co-workers and friends to submit a letter. You do not have to be a resident of Ontario to object to this regulation. The future of fishing is in everyone's hands!

UPDATE: Further information will be posted here as I receive it.

Ice fishing is still a popular winter activity at Northland Paradise Lodge. Lakes are usually frozen to a sufficient and safe thickness by mid December to allow pedestrian access on area lakes. Heated huts are then put on the lakes by Christmas. Please inquire about early season ice fishing conditions. Whitefish and ling (barbot) are in season at this time of year. With the new shorter fishing seasons effective this year, the winter seasons for lakers, northerns and walleye have been changed to February 15 through March 15. Depending on the year’s spring thaw and breakup, our baited huts are maintained through to the end of March for whitefish and ling

Our spacious 6X8 insulated hut with 4 drilled 10” holes is situated approximately 100 yards/meters in front of the lodge in 20 to 25 feet of water, is propane heated and has padded seats as well as plenty of windows for natural light. Candles are supplied for night fishing. Tackle and tip-ups can be purchased in our gift shop while live bait is available next to the lodge. A smoker is available for a nominal charge to give your day’s catch “that little something extra”.

Check-in times for weekly packages are after 2:00 p.m. on Saturdays and check-out times are before 11:00 a.m. on the following Saturdays. For overnight packages, the same times apply for each day. Please inquire about any variations that can be made to these time schedules.

Responsible use of alcoholic beverages is allowed on lodge property. However, we are not a licensed outlet for the sale of these beverages

Pets are always welcome.

Weekly Ice Fishing Report

A weekly ice fishing report will be posted here to assist our guests in their plans for one of winter's most pleasurable activities. Ice depths, slush conditions, what's biting best, favorite lures/bait rigs and anything else associated with this sport (as it is reported to me) will be listed here.

All of this information should only be viewed as a guideline and should never be misinterpreted as cold hard facts in any sense of legal obligations. Absolutely no liability will be associated with this and all users assume all responsibility and consequences resulting from their own actions taken from this information.

2007/08 REPORT

April 1, 2008. As of yesterday, all ice huts had to be off area lakes (thanks to the new MNR rules, as of this year). There is still plenty of ice which makes this ruling seem almost absurd as people are still safely driving vehicles on 24 to 30 inches of ice on the lakes.  Although the fishing season closed on March 15 for lake trout, walleye and even northern pike, it is still legal to catch whitefish and ling as well as splake and speckle trout (brookies) in stocked lakes where the season is open all year. For anyone wishing to partake in some excellent late season fishing, we will supply the lawn chairs as well as a transistor radio for your listening enjoyment. Ice should be good for another 2 or 3 weeks .... stay tuned.

February 24, 2008. Although fishing for all species has been generally slow for the past few weeks, this weekend has seen a pleasant turnaround in that trend. Whitefish were the most abundant catches while both walleye and northerns were observed lying on the ice. Hopefully, this success rate will continue for a few more weeks until spring breakup.

January 25, 2008. Fishermen have seen a real variety in their success rates for the last few weeks. The fish are either "on" or "there's none left in the lake". These general observations have been typical of all the people I've talked to on several different area lakes. My guests have had poor to average success with only one person saying it was "great"! It may be only an old wives tale but there's been an unusual amount of east winds this winter resulting in poor catches on those days. Is this just a coincidence? Since the big thaw a couple weeks ago, we've had lots of snow and ice travel is at its best with very little slush reported anywhere due to several nights in the -30 to -35C range. Ice depths vary from 12 to 18" in most locations.

January 15, 2008. The weekend's extremely and unusual warm spell has brought 3 days of moderate to heavy rain and unseasonable temperatures of +5 to +8 C (days) and 0 to +5 nights. Fortunately, there was very little, if any, sunshine and the lake ice conditions have not seriously deteriorated significantly with the exceptions of all the surface snow turning into 6" of slush. Cooler freezing temperatures and winds are predicted which will hopefully turn it back into ice before it snows very much.

January 1, 2008. Ice is now about a foot thick. Very little slush can be found anywhere. I've only been out once and was happy with the 4 pound whitefish that I caught

December 20, 2007. Several snowmobiles have been seen traveling on the lake in front of the lodge for the past few days so today, I decided it might be a good time to put the ice hut out in the usual spot where I've had consistent good luck in past years. After first checking the ice depths in several locations, I found there was 8 inches of clear blue ice and not a trace of any slush under the foot or so of snow on the ice between the shore and the proposed hut location. It was an easy pull. Maybe in the next few days, I'll get a couple hours to wet a line and try my luck. Today's high was around -10 to -15 C.

December 16, 2007. The area lakes are now froze over ... some just glazed over this past week and are very dangerous yet. Others are reporting 6 to 8inches of ice. Slush can be found in several areas also. We already have more snow this year than we had at any one time last year ... 1 to 2 feet in most places. I don't know of anyone who has his ice huts out yet. Check with the locals before venturing out onto area lakes and constantly check ice thickness for your own personal safety.

Key Benefits

• Modern clean accommodations.

• Internationally famous home cooked meals.

• Close proximity to the lodge (walking distance).

• Free fish cleaning services offered to all our guests.

• Bait and gas are available next door.