How to Find Out What Species of Fish Are in a Lake

MNR's New Fish ON-Line Tool

In April 2011, the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR) launched an awesome new Fish ON-Line tool. Anglers no longer need to visit Ministry of Natural Resources offices or find an in-the-know local fisherman to gather information about the various fishing opportunities in Northwest Ontario. It provides a lot of information that used to be hard to find. Now information about the various species of fish found in a certain lake, fish stocked in lakes and some information about the lake itself is available at ontario.ca/fishing.

The MNR used a Google map and overlaid provincial fisheries data on top of it. The ministry then gathered on-hand information on about 13,000 lakes and has made all of that available as well. On those lakes, Fish ON-Line will let you see what fish species are available, the regulations for the lake and if there has been any stocking. Some lakes have the maximum and average depths of the lake. For many more bigger,  popular waterways such as Eagle Lake, the depth contour information has been overlaid as well.

For example, take Wabigoon Lake. If you click on the Lake Depth Contours in the left hand column, you can see the contours of Wabigoon Lake. Click the fish icon and you'll see the surface area of the lake is 9922 ha, the maximum depth is 14.6 m, the average depth is 6.1 m and it's in the Fisheries Management Zone 5. Click on the Wabigoon/Dinorwic Lakes Fact Sheet and you'll see specific Wabigoon/Dinorwic Lakes fishing regulations and lake facts. Under the Fish tab you'll see that Wabigoon Lake has Black Crappie, Whitefish, Muskellunge, Northern Pike, Sauger, Smallmouth Bass, Walleye and Yellow Perch.

You can quick link to a popular waterway or search by lake, fish species, stocked water body, GPS Coordinates. Use the Get Directions Tool and you can find your way around quite easily. You can also link to Licence Information, the Fishing Zone Regulations and the Lake Fact Sheet. The ServiceOntario offices are dotted on the map if you are looking to buy a Fishing Licence. You can also type in your location and getting directions to the ServiceOntario.

All in all, it is a pretty impressive fishing information tool.  If you are planning a fishing trip to Ontario, check out the Fish ON-Line website to find out more information on the lake you'll be fishing on. If you are looking for a fishing resort or lodge to stay at in Sunset Country visit www.ontarioresortsandlodges.ca

10 Reasons to Shop at Your Local Farmers' Market

Yesterday I finally made it down to Kenora's Farmers' Market. I can't believe it was the third week of the market and I just got to it this week. Going down to the Harbourfront on Wednesdays is one of my favourite things to do in the summer. During the winter the fruit and veggies that are available in Northwestern Ontario have come from far away and are not very fresh by the time they get here. But come summer, the local farmer's bring their goods down to the tent so we can have fresh vegetables just as if we had grown them ourselves. For me, there's nothing as good as biting into a freshly picked carrot. Since my failed attempt at gardening a few years back, I really look forward to biting into the fresh locally grown veggies and fruit.

Jewelery is always a hit.

The Farmer's Market has grown over the last few years to include much more than the fruit and vegetables that I so desire. There are food vendors, Aboriginal Arts & Crafts, Meats, Preserves, Honey, Baked Goods, Arts & Crafts, Sewing, Spices. My dog Reuben loves me every Wednesday as I bring him home a beef bone from one of the vendors. Each and every Wednesday I say to my co-worker, I am not buying any baking this time. But, wouldn't you know it, I get down there and the smell of freshly baked goods gets to me every time. Yesterday a delicious pecan brownie from a new company called the Kenora Brownie Company kept calling my name. It definitely hit the spot.  The Kenora's Farmers' Market is on the Harbourfront every Wednesday from 9am-2pm. 

Many other communities in Sunset Country have Farmers Markets as well. There's the Northwest Farmer's Market in Sioux Lookout. The next one is on July 15th and then runs bi-weekly until the end of September. The market is from 10am-2pm at Centennial Park.

Cloverbelt Country Farmers' Market strives to have only local produce represented, giving you a taste and experience unique to Dryden and its surrounding area. There is also farm fresh produce and meats, home made preserves and baking, and handmade arts and crafts. The Oxdrift Market began June 18 and is located in the Oxdrift Hall. It is open Saturdays 9am-12pm. They also have a second location starting July 7th in Dryden. You can find the Dryden Market in the Dryden Arena parking lot every second Thursday from 3-6pm.

The Clover Valley Farmers’ Market (CVFM) has operated a successful Farmers’ Market for over 22 years. From May to October it's open from 9am-1pm. November and December the Clover Valley Farmers’ Market becomes a local foods and craft store running multiple days a week. The market is housed in a distinctive red building located at 411 McIrvine Road (right behind Canadian Tire) in Fort Frances.

Red Lake Farmers' Market is held once a month from 10am-2pm in the Legion parking lot. Look for products from local farms on July 23, August 20 and September 24. In Sioux Narrows there is a Fresh Vegetable Stand next to the Boutique Soleil on Highway 71 near the Travel Information Centre. It is set up every Wednesday from about 8am until 11am. Rainy River Farmer's Market is held Wednesdays from 4pm-6:30pm at the Heritage Square on Atwood Ave.

Pick up some plants for your garden or homemade preserves.

Why should you visit these Farmers Market? Here are the top 10 reasons.

1. Taste real flavours of fruits and vegetables. There is no doubt that locally-grown foods just simply taste better.
2. Meet the farmers who grow your food. You can ask for advice when it was picked, how it was grown or ways to prepare it.
3. Protect the environment. The closeness of the farms does not require us to waste energy and gas to ship the food half-way around the world.
4. Support local economy by supporting the farmers, artists, bakers and other vendors.
5. Eat seasonally. By shopping at local farmer's markets you are eating produce at it's peak. They are fresh and ripe and loaded with nutrients.
6. Home-made baking. Do I need to say more?
7. Connect with your Community.
8. Meet up with friends, old and new. Chat with seasonal visitors.
9. Pick up some perogies and you don't have to cook supper tonight.
10. It's just plain fun!

For more information on these towns and cities listed above, please visit our website focusing on the communities in Sunset Country. 

Summer Heats Up in Sunset Country

Summer is finally here! Happy Canada Day everyone. Throughout Sunset Country today there will be many celebrations to celebrate Canada. Each community holds unique festivities. Most will top of this day with fireworks that are not to be missed. There is something to be said about fireworks on Canada Day. It's a time I reflect and get somewhat emotional and am really happy to be a Canadian.  

The rest of the summer in Sunset Country is filled with lot's of special events, festivals and things to do. Moosefest in Dryden started June 15th and runs until July 17th. There is a variety of events such as the Dryden Truck Show and Strongman Competition, the Children's Services Fair, National Aboriginal Day, Soap Box Show and Shine, NWO Canoe Races, Dragon Boat Races, fishing tournaments for both adults and kids and the list goes on and on.

The 4th Annual International Tug of War will take place on July 2 between Fort Frances, Ontario and International Falls, Minnesota. Come out and cheer on Fort Frances as they fight to regain the Tug of War Trophy. The friendly tug of war (Pulling for Peace) held between the two cities is in celebration of International Peaceful Borders Day. It's a very unique event that can't happen just anywhere, a 1,200 foot rope is strung across the river for the pull.

Pickle Lake's popular Black Fly Festival is held every year on the July 1st weekend. Enjoy the beauty of the vast wilderness in around Pickle Lake during a float plane ride, take in the children’s activities, take part in the horseshoe or Cribbage and Euchre tournament and enjoy the beach BBQ.

White Otter Days in Ignace is a month long celebration in July. Kick off your Canada Day celebrations in Ignace with the Canada Day Parade. The rest of the holiday is filled with various fun filled events at the Tourist Information Centre and Agimak Beach. Throughout the rest of the month take part in different events which include the Men’s Hockey Tournament, the Childrens' Festival, the Annual Mixed Slo-Pitch Tournament, Agimak Fish Derby and more.

Rainy River holds it's annual Rainy River Railroad Daze July 15-17th. Some of the events are Cardboard Boat and Duct Tape Races, a CCR Tribute Band at Hannam Park and Inflatable Bounce House “Wacky World” on 4th Street.

Harbourfest in Kenora July 29th to 31st are dates to mark on your calendars if you love to hear great bands and party the night away. Kenora's annual Harbourfest takes place over three fun-filled days and you do not want to miss it. This year's line-up of bands include Kenny Shields and Streetheart, Aldo Nova, Honeymoon Suite, Doc Walker, Sloan, The Watchmen, and more. There is something for the entire family including carnival games, face painting and bouncy rides, petting zoo, and pony rides. For more information contact Kenora Tourism or visit the Harbourfest website to purchase tickets.

Sioux Lookout hosts the annual Blueberry Festival July 29th to August 7th. Many of the restaurants in town have cooked up special blueberry themed items on their menus during the festival. There are actually over 100 events that take place including the Sioux Mountain Festival, an art show, tennis, volleyball, golf and bocce ball tournaments, and much more.

The 50th annual Sioux Narrows Arts Festival is scheduled for Saturday & Sunday, July 30th and 31st in Sioux Narrows. The art show has booths from local artists including sculptors, painters, and other mediums. Their talent is quite spectacular. July 31st you can attend the Nestorfest Pig Roast Picnic in Nestor Falls.

Atikokan hold many events during the year including the XY Company's 30k Pursuit-Pro Canoe Race on July 1st, Mudslingers 4x4 Races at the Charleson Recreation Area on August 6-7 and the Atikokan Bass Classic Boat Parade on August 11th.

The Trout Forest Music Festival is held August 12-14th in Ear Falls. It's music in the woods! There currently is 26 bands or solo artists signed up to play including Don Amero, Vince, Andrushko, and Little Miss Higgins. A full line-up can be found at the Trout Forest Music Festival website.

There are many fishing tournaments in Sunset Country. You may want to take part in a tourney, myself I love watching the weigh ins. The final top 10 weigh ins on the last day is so exciting. July and August are mostly Bass Fishing Tournaments and the Walleye Fishing Tournaments start again in September. The Fort Frances Canadian Bass Championship is held July 17-23 and the KBI (Kenora Bass International) is held August 4-6th. September starts off with the Red Lake Fall Classic Catch and Release Walleye Tournament on the 2nd to 4th. Visit the Sunset Country website to see a list of all the fishing tournaments in the area.

There are a ton of events to watch, participate in or volunteer at this summer. There are really too many too list. Visit the Sunset Country Events page or visit www.ontariotowns.net to see events listed under each community.