Another good day, But likely the last outing to this spot

[Michael Kerwin]

I got out today with my ice fishing buddy, Allan Halls, today to our usual spot near Port Carling. We enjoyed clear, calm conditions but it was a bit nippy this morning! By noon, however, temperatures had moderated and it was actually quite pleasant.

We set up in about 60 fow, moving only once. The bite was slow all day and we marked very few fish, unlike our last outing to this spot. In total, I had two bites but landed both fish, the first a non-keeper, the second pictured below.

Since we were there last, two weeks ago, a steel cable has been set up across the road that we walk to access the lake. By the end of the day, the cable sported two signs: "No Trespassing" and "Private Property." We both found this curious and regrettable as we and others (DBfish and Knuguy, you know the spot) have been fishing this area for a few years. It would be interesting know the story behind all of this.

[Species8472]

Cable is a drag man. Maybe property changed hands to someone that is uptight. I own 117 acres with 3000 feet of waterfront in Nipissing Township. The previous owner was a Baystreet business person and very disliked by the locals and other seasonal residents. After I bought the place i made a point of connecting with anyone that approached me and now have dozens of relationships with locals and other seasonals like myself. They all have permission to snowmobile, snowshoe, ski, hike, walk, access the lake, use my boat launch etc.. Have never had any problems in the last 8 years and i figure the more activity and eyes on the less likely it is criminals will pay me a visit when not there.

Goes both ways as well when i need something like a tool or help with something there are lots of people willing to help. Plus no end of places to stop and have a drink as well.

[Flukes]

Nice catch. Sorry about the change in access. That's tough. It seems to be happening everywhere and even up here. Luckily, we have made friends with neighbours and have a few options to access the lake if anything like that happened to the spots were I have access currently.
I like how Species8472 think. For sure, giving some people access is a great way to have many eyes on the place and they should keep the place cleaner than without them if they even remotely understand the privilege that you have granted them.

[Mike33]

Sorry to hear about your access point Michael. Maybe it's a knee-jerk reaction to an isolated incident? You never know. Way to capitalize on both of your opportunities- I can see the simcoe bug/dropshot fly combo did the trick again!

[mykola]

I see this happening around Haliburton and Minden too. Actually lost a couple boat launches in recent years, they were the only public launches to a couple lakes. Local relationships with neighbours is very important.

[Icemanjay]

Ya we had the same thing happen on a spot this past summer. I’m guessing someone did something to annoy the owner, that was the case for our spot. Problem is it’s never the people with permission that cause the abuse it’s the ones that don’t and bushwhack around barriers etc. in our case I guess too many people started to know about the spot and the landowner said forget it nobody’s coming on that’s it. I guess I can’t blame him but still sucks. Still have other spots, but that sure was a good one.

[Drew]

Nice catch. Same thing has happened to countless snowmobile trails.