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Upcoming and Recent Events

(Last updated December 9th, 2011)

  

  •                                                            Winter 2011/12' newsletter for the Thunder Bay District Stewardship Council.  This newsletter reflects only a handful of the projects and partnerships we've undertaken over the last few months.

  • Improving Brook Trout Habitat: Nipigon Bay's Kama Creek Restoration Underway

      Starting mid-October 2011, Nipigon Bay’s Kama Creek has been part of an ecological restoration project to help revitalize fish populations as part of the Nipigon Bay Remedial Action Plan (RAP). Rehabilitation of an area near Kama Point and Kama Bay (20 kilometres east of Nipigon) will reinstate Kama Creek and its floodplain to a condition resembling its original pre-1960s configuration.

    The Nipigon Bay Remedial Action Plan team and the Public Advisory Committee (PAC) identified the condition of creeks like Kama Creek as a primary factor in declining fish populations and fish habitat in the Nipigon Bay Area of Concern (AOC). The Kama Creek restoration is a key action to restore the fish habitat and fish populations in the Nipigon Bay AOC. More information

  • Environment Cnada releases a new video entitled "Keeping the Great Lakes Great"

    "North America's Great Lakes are a robust ecosystem that provides a wealth of economic and social benefits for the 40 million people who live on both sides of the border. But the Great Lakes are also at great risk. There are a number of stresses to the ecosystem: population growth and agricultural intensification, the introduction of aquatic invasive species as well as municipal wastewater effluents and industrial discharges. All of these threaten the Great Lakes and require sustained and focused attention. Learn more by watching our new video that depicts some of the challenges facing the Great Lakes and what Environment Canada and our partners are doing keep the Great Lakes great."

    http://www.youtube.com/user/environmentcan


  • Fisherman's Park  The committee wishes to acknowledge and thank Wally Zarowski for his generous financial donation to the project.                                                                                                                               Pictured above is the completed observation deck.       Below is a photo of the large shelter installed on November 8th 2011       This concludes the construction for 2011. Work will resume next spring with the addition of the metal roofing to the shelters, the installation of interpretive signage, completion of the flower beds and the planting of new trees.  The committee thanks all those who contributed their time to this project.          
  •                                                  Thunder Bay District Stewardship Council                Cedar, Pitch & Whitewood Creeks
    Benthic Invertebrate and Fish Community Assessment     by Northern Biosicence Aquatic assessments on three Whitefish River tributaries were conducted due to some concern over potential impacts from land use practices within the watersheds of Cedar, Pitch, and Whitewood creeks. The health of benthic invertebrate communities was assessed used the Ontario Benthos Biomonitoring Network (OBBN) protocol at three sites in 2010, which were compared to previously assessed reference sites on the same tributaries. For the complete report please read the attached pdf file Whitefish Tributaries Assessment
  • Portage Creek See the projects page to view all the updated 2011 information.
  • Co-operative Angler Program          

    ADULT STEELHEAD ASSESSMENT 2011 REPORT

    Three steelhead assessment projects were conducted during the spring of 2011. They are as follows;

    1.    McIntyre River Steelhead Population Assessment

    2.    Portage Creek Steelhead Population Assessment

    3.    Co-op Angler Study

    All studies were conducted in partnership with the North Shore Steelhead Association, and the Ministry of Natural Resources.

    The report summarizes the three studies and discusses the overall health of steelhead stocks from Thunder Bay to Marathon (Lake Superior). The following chart is only a part of the report's findings. To view the complete report please click here. (power Point presentation) For more information please visit the Cooperative Angler project. 

                

    Thanks to all anglers that participated in this program in 2011.

  • The NSSA wishes to thank OPSEU Local 724 for their donation made in memory of Jesse Zobatar who passed away on May 1st 2011.                     For a complete obituary please click here
  •   McIntyre River Bank Stabilization Project       Recognition signage was installed last week by Sign's Now. For more information please visit the projects page.  
  • 2011-2012 Guide to Eating Ontario Sport Fish now available  

     

  • McIntyre River Rainbow Trout Population Estimate update for 2011 . Thanks to the dedicated group of 4 anglers, a total of 411 new fish were captured this spring, and only 26 recaptures from 2010. The fish ranged in size from 30cm to 75cm with the majority being 55 to 65 cm. This is the fourth year for this 5 year study. For more information see McIntyre River Project on the Projects page    The Thunder Bay District Stewardship Council held a tree planting event on McVicar's Creek on May 24 and 25th. With volunteers from the Remedial Action office at Lakehead University, the TBDSC members, area residents, and the NSSA close to 300 trees and shrubs were planted. For a better look at where the plantings occurred please refer to McVicar Creek Grandview area Map dec 16 10. Fish On-Line.  This website was created by the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources (OMNR) to assist anglers.      The RES, Greenwich Wind Farm Project, located near Dorion is in full construction mode. The site is located approximately 75 kilometers northeast of the city of Thunder Bay, Ontario. For more information regarding this project please view the most recent newsletter.

  • Little Jackfish Project        To view the third Newsletter regarding the proposed Little Jackfish River Hydroelectric Project. Click here .

  • The next meeting of the Public Advisory Committee to the Remedial Action Plan is being held on August 12th 2011 at Lakehead University.

                                                              

  • The "Flow rate" report for 2010 has been received from the City and as predicted indicates how poorly the fish way on the Current River functioned during this low water year. Visit the Current River project for more information.

    If your interested in seeing an aerial view of the Steel River, one of our flying members has posted a video on YouTube. Please follow this link to view http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iZOVt7TSTa4The 2010 results from the Portage Creek study have been added to the Portage Creek Project page.  This is

    Didymosphenia geminata, or didymo. A single-celled organism also known as rock snot, didymo has done as much as any invasive species to prompt calls for a ban on felt soles. Click here to read more about this organisms effect. For more information regarding Didymo in Lake Superior click here.

    McIntyre River Bank Stabilization Project   The McIntyre River, near Central Avenue and Riverside Drive, suffered significant erosion following a
    major storm in June, 2008. As a pilot project, the North Shore Steelhead Association (NSSA) partnered with the Lakehead Region Conservation Authority to include a fish habitat enhancement component to the project. For more information and photos of this project please click here.

    New Salmon identification Cards are now available at local sporting goods stores and bait shops in and aroung Thunder Bay. These cards will assist Lake Superior anglers rapidly and correctly identify their catch.
  • The NSSA donated financial assistance to the Thunder Bay District Stewarship Council for the purchase ofl large caliber trees in support of their habitat improvement project on the McVicar Creek. Pictured below are George Clark and Davis Viehbeck. On a wet June 8th evening volunteers from the NSSA assisted in planting numerous trees. The NSSA thanks the TBDSC for this initiative and will continue to support efforts such as this. See McVicar Project for more pictures and information
  • The Lake Superior Binational Program initiated a basin-wide awards program to honor the outstanding achievements of individuals and groups that are protecting or restoring the natural environment of the Lake Superior basin. The award pays tribute to these individuals and organizations that have demonstrated a commitment to environmental stewardship through leadership in five categories. By sponsoring the awards, the Lake Superior Binational Program hopes to encourage residents in the basin to implement similar successful actions to improve water quality and natural environments.                     The NSSA received the award in the category of  Community Group recognizing the NSSA's many years of commitment to conservation efforts, community involvement, and our ongoing Current River Park project.

    Fisheries Management Zone 9

    (Lake Superior) continues to deal with the questions surrounding the proposal to remove the dam on the Black Sturgeon river. For more information please open the following pdf file "Black Sturgeon River FMZ 9 Role & Expectations" by Steve Bobrowicz

    The NSSA is on facebook. If you are a user of Facebook you can find us by doing a search for North Shore Steelhead. Terry Kosolowski is the administrator of the site moved or changed your email address? Click here  to ensure that you continue to receive your notices.
  • Photo Gallery Needs updating!                            Got a great picture that that you would like to share? Email us your photo (.jpg file preferred) and it will be added to the Gallery. Click here.

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Next Meeting Date:

The next General Meeting of the NSSA will be the Annual General Meeting and held on January 26th , 2012 at the Port Arthur Ukrainian Prosvita hall. 

For a list of all the scheduled meeting dates please click on "Member Updates"

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 38 years!   Did you know that this year marks the 38th year that the NSSA has been serving our community and district! See "About Us" for more information. 

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2012 Dinner Auction

The Dinner Auction committee wishes to announce that we have begun planning for our annual fundraising dinner and auction which will be held on March 30th 2012. Please keep that date open!

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The NSSA encourages our members to practice catch and release.

For more information CLICK ON THE IMAGE BELOW

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2011 Dinner and Auction Fundraiser

The Dinner and Auction was held on Friday March 25th, 2011 at the DaVinci Hall.

For information regarding Raffle & Auction items (Live, Silent and Super Silent), please visit Fundraising on the Main Menu.

The NSSA asks that you support those businesses that sponsor our dinner auction and projects.

( Links will be featured on a rotational basis)

 

River's Edge Fly Shop

Play it Again Sports

 

D’N’R Sporting Goods

485 Memorial Ave.

Thunder Bay, Ontario

P7B 3Y6

807-345-3323

Toll free 1-888-345-1511

 

 

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Information from other organizations

 

To view an informative video on the adverse effects that hatchery fish have on native species please click on the following link. Consequences of Hatchery Fish

The Native Fish Society is a non-profit organization founded in 1995 whose purpose is to protect and restore native, wild fish and their habitats. Our goal is the conservation, preservation and restoration of wild fish in the Pacific Northwest. We work to establish effective fish management policies based on the latest scientific research, and we encourage the public to get involved in this process.

The second newsletter from the Lake Superior National Marine Conservation Area (NMCA) is now available.  The newsletter provides an overview of past information sessions and open houses on the NMCA Interim Management Plan as well as information regarding activities of this past summer and where we will be going in the future. for more information visit Parks Canada's website at http://www.pc.gc.ca/eng/amnc-nmca/on/super/index.aspx

 

        

The Osprey is a Journal Published by the Steelhead Committee of the Federation of Fly Fishers.

September's edition of The Osprey has a very interesting article on the Nottawasaga River Steelhead entitled "A Great Lakes lesson in local adaptation and naturalization".

Why stocking salmonids may not be the answer. Click here to read this short but informative flyer by Brian Morrison of the Ganaraska Region Conservation Authority

Manitoulin Streams Improvement Association                        This award winning organization has recently issued a Newsletter which should be of interest to those concerned with stream improvement projects.  

The Thunder Bay District Stewardship Council has issued it's first newsletter. Click here to view the contents. Mr. George Clark sits on this committee and will represent the views of the angling public.                                       

Information regarding the Asian Carp and the Chicago canal situation can be obtained by clicking here to read several articles contained in this report     Inland Seas Angler GREAT LAKES BASIN REPORT

 

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Long Time Member Acknowledged

HENRY J. ACKERVALL CONSERVATION AWARD

The Henry (Hank) Ackervall award is presented to individuals who have made significant contributions to the conservation of the cold water fisheries of Lake Superior and its tributaries. Mr Lorne Attard was this year's winner and was presented with the award at the 2010 dinner auction.

Mr. Lorne Allard (right) is seen below being congradulated by President Tom Whalley. Lorne was one of the founding members of the NSSA back in 1973, and is the only member to have been honoured with a Life-time membership in the NSSA. Lorne currently is the Fund Raising Coordinator on the Fisherman's Park committee.

Congradulations Lorne!

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Weather and Flow Rate Information

Heading out to the Jackpine, Cypress or Nipigon???

Environment Canada offers Real - time Hydrometric flow rate information for several streams in and around Thunder Bay.

Click here to access the website.

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Caught a tagged fish? 

Report a Tag

   

Please report it to the MNR click here.

 

Include the following information in your email;

Location caught. 

Was it kept or released

Date the fish was caught

Tag number and color.

Condition of the fish

Size of the fish (Length and girth)

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Scientific Information:

"Common Parasites of Ontario Fishes" Edited by H Ayles and published in 1970 by the Department of Lands and Forest this old reference text is still a valuable aid to fisherman. Click here to view.

"Potential Steelhead Production in the Current River" To view the Beak Report,which was prepared in May 1990, please "click here" This is a large file and may take a few minutes to download.

"Wild Pacific Salmon of the Ganaraska River and Ganaraska Reion Conservation Authority Watersheds". Why stocking salmonids may not be the answer. Click here to read this short but informative flyer by Brian Morrison of the Ganaraska Region Conservation Authority

Fish-killing virus (VHS) has invaded Lake Superior. Viral Haemorrhagic Septicemia has been found in fish from Duluth harbour. For the full story click here

"Carry-over effect of captive breeding reduces reproductive fitness of wild-born descendants in the wild". Click here to read the paper                  

"Management Perspectives on Coaster Brook Trout Rehabilitation in the Lake Superior Basin" by
DONALD R. SCHREINER. Click here to read this paper

"Thermal diversity of fish in southern Ontario watersheds & climate change" by Nicholas Jones This paper pertains to the Lake Superior watershed as well as S. Ontario. Click here to access.

Jon George has submitted the updated Steelhead Year Class Strength chart (based on the Portage Creek study). See how the runs are stacking up

Interesting read "Effects of Commercially Available Egg Cures on the Survival of Juvenile Salominds" by Shaun Clements, Rob Chitwood, and Carl B Scherck.

                                                                                                            

Is there a resident Rainbow Trout population in the Current River above the Boulevard Lake dam? This recently released scientific paper describes how that could occur. Click here for more information.

Check out the concerns being  expressed  by the Wild Steehead Coalition  regarding the state of the Rainbow Trout fishery on  the west coast !

Benthic Report on North Shore Streams

The study which includes samples from North Shore streams and two local streams is being done through the Study Our Streams program. Click here to view the 2008 report

 

Co-operative Anglers Program

2008 results are now available. See the Co-operative Angler Project page.

Trout Lake Learning Centre

2008 McIntyre River / Rainbow Trout Study

by Blair Wasylenko funded by the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund

Portage Creek Project update for 2008 by Jon George

Genetic characteristics of Rainbow Trout

Genetic Analysis of North Shore Steelhead by Peter Addison. Available in PDF format. Adobe Acrobat Reader required.

Wild Salmon Centre. Japan appears to be on the right track when it comes to protecting watersheds. Click here to read an interesting article which appeared in the Wild Salmon Centre Newsletter.

The Sea Lamprey Contol division of the DFO will be conducting lampricide application in our district during this upcoming field season. To view the application schedule "click here"

 

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Helpful Sites:

      

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Ontario Fishing Regulations

 

 

Turn-in-Poachers

The Ministry of Natural Resources has a Turn-in-Poachers (TIPS) hotline for reporting fishing infractions.                                                 Call 1-877-TIPS-MNR or 1-877-847-7667

 

  Guide to Eating Ontario Sport Fish

 

2011-2012 Guide to Eating Ontario Sport Fish now available  

The OFAH asks all anglers to be awaare of the varous invasive species and asks that readers visit the following site to learn more about Ontario's invasive species:  www.invadingspecies.com