Upcoming and Recent Events

(Last updated May 10, 2013)   

  

•     On May 9th additional dogwood cuttings were planted on the site of the Bank Stabilization project on the McIntyre River. Pictured above is Jon George assisting with the plantings.
•    The NSSA is very please to announce that Enterprise Rent-a-Car is helping to sponsor the Portage Creek Rainbow Trout Project. Pictured above is Andrew Hill from Enterprise, Jon George project coordinator, and Davis Viehbeck from the Ministry of Natural Resources.          
•   Centennial Park Sunday June 2 9:30             For more information and to register to participate please follow the link http:// www.volunteerthunderbay.com /pb/wp_6e93cea8/ wp_6e93cea8.html
• CANCELLED. “Detoxing Your Body and Our Economy,” Dr. Rick Smith - Environment North AGM
  April 19, 6:30 (EN AGM Business Meeting), 7:30pm (Presentation), Centre for Change (Hillcrest Highschool)
  Join Dr. Rick Smith, Co-Author of “Slow Death by Rubber Duck,” and former Executive Director of Environmental Defence, as he provides a guest lecture for Environment North’s AGM. There are toxic chemicals in the products we use everyday. Learn how to avoid them and how we can help to make these products safer. Dr. Smith was involved in banning bisphenol A from children’s products and he helped develop Canada’s Chemical Management Plan. He obtained his PhD in biology from the University of Guelph. Admission is free. Come early (between 4-7pm) and drop in to Ontario Nature’s Boreal Office first for their 10 year celebration and some snacks. For more information visit www.environmentnorth.ca  
• An interesting article appeared in Saturday's Chronicle Journal newspaper written by Johan Vass regarding our only Life Time member Mr. Lorne Attard. Click here for a link to the article.
• Congradulations to Mr. Glenn Rivard on receiving the Jack O'Dette Conservation Leadership Award. Glenn is the Past President of Zone B OFAH and has been a membr of the Provincial Board of Directors for the past 13 years. The Jack O'Dette Award is given annually to a director on the OFAH board in recognition of their hard work and dedication to conservation.
• MNR and OFAH hatchery program.

  The Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters has partnered with the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources to deliver the new Community Hatchery Program (CHP). Funding for this program has been reallocated from the old Community Fisheries and Wildlife Involvement Program (CFWIP). Full story

• The MNR has introduced a new funding opportunity entitled The Land Stewardship & Habitat Restoration Program. This program is being funded by the balance of the funds previously allocated to the CFWIP fund.

• There is an opportunity to comment on the Great Lakes Protection Act - deadline for comments is 26 April.

   

  See EBR # 011-6461.

• Youth Employment Opportunity. There will be 3 Stewardship Youth Ranger Crews working out of Thunder Bay in 2013.  The crews will be allocated within the Ontario Parks, Upper Great Lakes Management Unit, and Thunder Bay District offices.  I've included some general criteria and information below.  For more details, please visit:  http://www.mnr.gov.on.ca/en/Business/ Youth/2ColumnSubPage/202312.html
• Comments regarding the Black Sturgeon Dam Removal are being accepted until January 31, 2013. Please direct your written comments to Mr. Steve Bobrowicz Senior Fisheries Biologist, Ministry of Natural Resources, 435 James St. South Suite 221a Thunder Bay ON P7E 6S8 or submit via email to: steve_bobrowicz@ontario.ca
• The NSSA welcomes Mr. Scott McFadden and Mr. James Williams to the Executive. For a complete list of the Board of Directors for 2013-2014 see About Us on the main banner.
• Important It has come to our attention that the Ministry of Natural Resources will not be sending out notices of renewal for Outdoor Cards. All members are asked to check the expiry date on their cards before heading out. Here is the link for on-line renewal.

  Outdoors Card, Licences and Draws Renewal

  

• The Shebandowan Smallmouth Showdown is being held on Saturday, Sunday, July 20th and 21st, 2013.
  from 8:00am-4:00pm. See the link below for more information
  http://www.sss.thunderbayfishing.com/

• The Lake Superior Binational Forum offers two one-hour webinars about how climate changes are affecting the Lake Superior basin and what different community sectors can do to reduce carbon footprints and adapt to forcasted impacts.

   

  The purpose of both webinars is to inform community, business, and faith leaders about how climate changes -- including extreme storms, floods, changing water levels, ice cover, and other changes -- are already affecting Lake Superior communities.  

   

  The Lake Superior Binational Forum has launched a new web portal about climate change in the Lake Superior basin. The web site includes background materials describing the problem and offers links to educational resources and planning guides for communities. 

  Visit our new web portal on Lake Superior and Climate Change Impacts on our website!
• Centennial Park Creek rehabilitation project. A small cold water feeder creek which flows into the Current River, located just upstream from the entrance to Centennial Park was channelized during the construction of the park 20-30 years ago. The project aims to rehabilitate the section of the creek that was in-filled, straightened and had its riparian vegetation removed.  Funding for this project will be applied for under the Great Lakes Guardian Community Fund.
• Fishermans Park. On Nov 29th a group of volunteers from the North Shore Steelhead Association got together to put the new stainless steel sign up at Fisherman's Park at the mouth of the Current River here in Thunder Bay.
•   Thinking of buying a new custom made rod for Christmas? Click on the image above to check put Cedric Knuckey's new web site.
• The Credit River Anglers Association has issued its summer issue of Light Lines. A good read regarding stormwater management and stream rehabilitation efforts. Click here   
• This New Partnership signage is being installed at our Fisherman's Park project listing all of our community partnerships                    

• CO-OPERATIVE ANGLER  REPORT                     ADULT STEELHEAD ASSESSMENT 2012

  Three steelhead assessment projects were conducted during the spring of 2012. 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 2012.
•         On August 1st 2012 the North Shore Steelhead Association made a substantial donation of $2,000.00 to the Disaster Relief Fund. Pictured above is Mayor Keith Hobbs accepting the donation from NSSA President Tom Whalley. This donation when complimented by both the federal and provincial governments adds $6,000.00 to the Thunder Bay Disaster Relief Fund.    
• The Rainbow Trout population estimate for the McIntyre River for 2011 is based on recaptures in 2012.  This year 335 steelhead were captured and released, of which 68% were repeat spawners. A total of 44 were clipped from 2011.

• Little Jackfish Project        Click here to read the third newsletter regarding this project

• Terry Kosolowski put together some of the GoPro footage he took this spring. Enjoy!
  
  http://youtu.be/T-t70baTpSI Steelhead fishing on the beautiful streams of the North Shore of Lake Superior
•                                                            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.
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  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
  

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•   McIntyre River Bank Stabilization Project       Recognition signage was installed last week by Sign's Now. For more information please visit the projects page.  
  

     

• McIntyre River Rainbow Trout Population Estimate update for 2011 . Thanks to the dedicated group of 4 anglers, a total of 408 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.
  

                                                              

• 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=iZOVt7TSTa4                                                                                     
•  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.

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Next Meeting Date: CHANGE OF DATE

The next General Meeting of the NSSA will be held on May 30th (originally achedulled for May 16th) at the Port Arthur Ukrainian Prosvita hall.

Attendees will have the opportunity to participate in a raffle for a 50% discount coupon on the purchase of a SAGE VXP rod, courtesy of Cedric Knuckey and Interior Alaska Custome Built Rods.

 

Moved or changed your email address? Click here  to ensure that you continue to receive your notices.  

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

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40 years!   Did you know that this year marks the 40th year that the NSSA has been serving our community and district! See "About Us" for more information. 

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Ontario Fishing On-Line information

Regulations Summary for 2013

Guide to Eating Ontario Sport Fish  

2013-2014   

 

Where to fish in Ontario

 

2013 Dinner & Auction

The Dinner and Auction was held on March 22nd at the DaVinci Hall. Pictured below is a beautiful 16' Lund boat which came with a ShoreLand'r Trailer. This item was the grand prize for the evening. For a complete list of what other items were available and the winners of the major prizes please click Fundraising or from the main banner.

 

The NSSA wishes to thank all those who continue to support and attended this event.  The NSSA asks that you support those businesses that sponsor our dinner auction and projects.

( Links will be featured on a rotational basis)

Kashabowie River Resort

www.kashabowie.com

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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The NSSA encourages our members to practice catch and release.

For more information CLICK ON THE IMAGE BELOW

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Information from other organizations

Parks Canada - Northern Ontario | Parcs Canada – Nord de l’Ontario

SHORELINES : Stories from our guides and guardians
shoreLINES is a quarterly newsletter intended to keep our partners and stakeholders informed about Parks Canada’s activities and heritage places in Northern Ontario.

Newsletter Spring 2012 

Newsletter Fall 2012

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 Department of Fisheries and Oceans has released the results of the 2010 Survey of Recreational Fishing in Canada. This report provides an insite as to the value of recreational fishing. Read more

 

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 their Winter 2012 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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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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The "Fly Box" offers the opportunity to learn more about the flies which are commonly used in Northwestern Ontario. Please submit fly patterns so that we can improve this feature!

 

 

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Scientific Information:

"2012 Annual Report LaMP "The Lake Superior Binational Program partners are continuing to develop and implement the LaMP. Click the link above to access the Lakewide Management Plan 2012 Annual Report for Lake Superior (or LaMP).       

"The 2011 Lower Current River Habitat Assessment" December 1, 2011. Prepared for:
Thunder Bay District Stewardship Council &
Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources
Thunder Bay, ON
Prepared by: Dr. Robert F. Foster of Northern Bioscience Ecological Consulting       

                                                    ABSTRACT
Fish habitat mapping and electrofishing was conducted between August 31 and September 23, 2011 on the Current River below the Boulevard Lake dam and its mouth at Lake Superior. A total of 1063 fish of 10 species were caught during 10,976 seconds of electrofishing. Large fish species included one adult and five young of the year (YOY) walleye, 63 rainbow trout, 3 brook trout, and 32 YOY white sucker. To read the complete report Click Here

"Thunder Bay Salmon Derby Monitoring Report 2008-2011" Click here to read the report   The Upper Great Lakes Management Unit has released a Quik report 11-03.     

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

Environment Canada releases a new video entitled "Keeping the Great Lakes Great"

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

 

"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.

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

Trout Lake Learning Centre

2008 McIntyre River / Rainbow Trout Study

by Blair Wasylenko funded by the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund

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

 

  

 

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         

 

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.