Looks like ice-out for most of the lake happened over the weekend. Some reports of ice left by the islands and at the far east end of the lake on Monday. Ice-out was a bit later than the 60-year statistical average of April 14th. The latest it has ever been is May 6th in 1970. The lake is filled to a bit above normal spring levels registering at 313.91. It has been above 314 in several of the past 20 years, so this is not unusual.
I swear ice-out contest was not rigged, but the winner is my brother, Ed. His guess was April 19th at noon. The pole (which had blown over in a strong wind a few weeks ago) started to float and move in open water between 11AM and 12 noon on the 19th. There is no prize. He just gets to brag about it. I will re-engineer the pole this summer to be sturdier and hopefully run the contest again in 26-27.
Attended the April council meeting on April 20th. We had an interesting presentation by Nordspace. Who knows, this could be the beginning of something that changes our municipality forever...or not. They just received a $10M grant to grow their capabilities. Research and design are done in Markham. Launch is in Newfoundland; outdoor testing of components is in Limerick Township.
The new budget passed with a 2.03% tax increase. One of the smallest in Eastern Ontario. Some local municipalities have increases well above 10% this year.
The building inspector has been trained and is now accepting "Eljer" septic systems in the municipality. They have a smaller footprint and produce cleaner effluent.
Transport Canada is digging into our pocketbooks as of January 6, 2026. Most of us will now have to renew the registration of our boats every 5 years. Pretty much applies to every boat that has an engine of 10hp or more regardless of age. More information here:
https://tc.canada.ca/en/marine-transportation/vessel-licensing-registration/licensing-pleasure-craft/apply-manage-pleasure-craft-licence-pcl/apply-manage-pleasure-craft-licence-pcl
There is a $250 fine if you get pulled over for a safety inspection this season and your registration is not up to date.
The Rogers / FOCA special pricing plan for internet service remains $60 per month. (unless you have a Rogers phone in which case it remains $50 per month) Even at the $60 price it is the best internet service for many of us on the lake. It appears they throttle the 5G connection to 40MBps down, and 10MBps up. That is plenty of bandwidth for any single-family use. I have used the service for two full seasons and grade it an A-. If the service keeps working through power outages in the future I will up their grade to A+.
Summer burning rules came into effect on April 1. Fires are permitted 7PM to 7AM only through October 31st. Check the municipal website for information regarding total fire bans during the summer should that become necessary. There is also information there on how to apply for a permit for a legal daytime fire through the summer months. (conditions allowing)
The dump is on winter hours through April 30. It is open Wednesday, Saturday, Sunday and holiday Mondays from 11AM to 4:30PM.
Dirt roads in the municipality are now on half-load restrictions tentatively through May 15. That date may change depending on the spring thaw. Do not order any heavy deliveries until that date or later.
The 2026 fishing regulations are on-line.
https://lwra.ca/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/2026-fishing-regulations-summary-en-2025-12-08.pdf
The fishing seasons and regulations for this area (zone 15) remain the same as 2025. They are on pages 104-114 of the regulations book. Bass starts June 27 and ends November 30. Trout started January 1 and ends September 30 with the slot size of 16 to 21 inches to be returned to the lake. It is a one-line lake for ice fishing.
