decade…it has been a long time that staff have charted the entire Valens Lake reservoir as ice covered inside the month of November. Plus – the extended weather forecast is also showing good ice holding and making conditions well into December of this year. 2014 is off to a great start for the ice fishing season.
For the ice angling community, this early return of
winter and our old friend – Jack Frost, is a welcomed sight here in the banana
belt of southern Ontario. Traditionally, Valens Lake is one of the first
water bodies to freeze and one of the first to reach safe ice conditions.
While the current ice conditions are clearly noted as Unsafe
– it is a signal of seasonal transformations that generates tremendous interest
and excitement for anglers bitten with the ice fishing passion. Ice
fishing today has outgrown its male dominance and stereotypes. More and
more women and children are taking up the sport and tagging along with Dad –
spending the day in the Great Outdoors.
The staff at Valens Lake will be undertaking safe ice
inspections and reporting their findings over the coming weeks. Public access
will be permitted for all on-ice activities once the reports confirm a safe
consistent level of clear ice 6 inches across the reservoir. Stay tuned
to our website for regular updates and announcements.
Ice Fishing at Valens Lake is a “walk on” experience
that is close to home for many anglers in southern Ontario, A “catch and
release” policy has been put into effect by the Hamilton Conservation Authority
to protect the pan fish stocks from over harvest and to ensure the fishery at
Valens Lake remains strong for generations to come.
Gordon R. Costie
Superintendent
Valens Lake
Conservation Area
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