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One last paddle on Nipissing: Summer ain't over till it's over!

The lake is a popular ice fishery, with 44 fish species and a sportfish community featuring bass, yellow perch, northern pike and walleye
20191119 ice canoeists turl
A pair of canoeists aren't prepared to give up their sport just yet. Brenda Turl/BayToday.

NORTH BAY — Ice covers a large portion of Lake Nipissing, but despite that, a pair of canoeists went for what might be, one last paddle this past weekend.

The two, both wearing lifejackets crossed about half a mile of ice to reach a sliver of open water by Sunset Park Saturday afternoon. Both returned safely.

It won't be long before ice fishing huts and snowmobiles dot Lake Nipissing.

The lake is a popular ice fishery, with 44 fish species and a sportfish community featuring bass, yellow perch, northern pike and walleye.

The Walleye and Northern Pike season starts January 1 to March 15. 

Ice huts need to be registered on Nipissing bug you only need to register once. You can use the same ice hut number on all the ice huts you own.

This comes into play at the end of the season when the shacks need to be taken off the ice. All huts have to be removed from the lake by March 31.

See: Ice hut deadline

If you have an existing ice hut number, you do not need to re-register – previously issued ice hut numbers continue to be valid. There are no costs to register.

Every year it seems there are reports of huts being abandoned,

It is an offence to abandon items, such as garbage, lumber, blocking, and ice huts, on the ice. These items can become boating hazards, pose safety risks to swimmers and raise environmental concerns when they remain in the water as the ice melts.

See: Who owns this ice hut?

The maximum fine for not doing so is $25,000 or a year in jail, according to MNRF spokesperson Jolanta Kowalski.

Owners can be identified by registration numbers visible on the hut, or sometimes by contents.


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Jeff Turl

About the Author: Jeff Turl

Jeff is a veteran of the news biz. He's spent a lengthy career in TV, radio, print and online, covering both news and sports. He enjoys free time riding motorcycles and spoiling grandchildren.
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