Barbless hooks are gaining popularity among anglers who care about protecting fish populations and improving their skills. By design, barbless hooks lack the small barb that digs into the fish's mouth, making them easier to remove and reducing harm. This simple change offers a significant impact on the environment and your fishing experience. Not only do barbless hooks reduce harm to fish, but they can also make you a sharper angler in the process. Benefits for Fish: Reduced injury and mortality - barbless hooks minimize tissue damage, increasing the fish's chance of survival after release  Faster hook removal - without a barb, hooks slip out quickly and easily  Lower stress and recovery time - less time spent in handling and easier hook

Lake Michigan-Huron is 9 inches below its level at this time last year. From a month ago, the water levels on Lakes Superior, Michigan-Huron, St. Clair, Erie & Ontario are down 0, 4, 4, 4 & 5 inches, respectively. Lake Superior levels are up 3 inches from the same as last year, while Lakes Michigan-Huron, St. Clair, Erie & Ontario are lower by 9, 8, 9 & 2 inches, respectively, than they were at this time last year. Lakes Superior, Michigan-Huron & Ontario are 2, 8 & 2 inches below their long-term September averages. Lakes St. Clair & Erie are sitting at their long-term September averages. All the lakes remain well below their September record highs. In a month, Lakes Superior, Michigan-Huron, St. Clair, Erie & Ontario levels are predicted to f

On August 13, Regulations Amending the Vessel Operation Restriction Regulations: SOR/2025-158 was published to the Canada Gazette, Part II, making the amendments officially law. These changes provide local authorities with a faster and more efficient process to manage and respond to issues like excessive speed, shoreline erosion, and safety concerns on their waterways.  The updated regulations address longstanding concerns from municipalities about the lengthy process, while also advancing Transport Canada's goals to empower local governments and Indigenous communities with a greater role in waterway management. These amendments will simplify the regulatory process, reduce red tape, and speed up approvals for local boating restrictions. With these updates, local authorities that submi

Lake Michigan-Huron is 8 inches below its level at this time last year. From a month ago, the water levels on Lakes Superior, Michigan-Huron, St. Clair, Erie & Ontario are down 0, 5, 6, 7 & 6 inches, respectively. Lake Superior levels are up 2 inches from the same as last year, while Lakes Michigan-Huron, St. Clair, Erie & Ontario are lower by 8, 8, 9 & 2 inches, respectively, than they were at this time last year. Lakes Superior, Michigan-Huron and Ontario are 2, 8 & 1 inches below their long-term September averages. Lakes St. Clair & Erie are sitting at their long-term September averages. All the lakes remain well below their September record highs. In a month, Lakes Superior, Michigan-Huron, St. Clair, Erie & Ontario levels are predicted to fall�

It’s September and that means bears are starting to prepare for winter. Most bears are focused on finding as much food as possible to prepare for winter. The quest for calories means bears are active and foraging. As the wild food sources bears rely on become more scarce. Improper food disposal, untidy garbage cans, poorly cleaned BBQ’s, and bird feeders may provide just the feast hungry bears are looking for. Whether you are closing the cottage for the season or just between stays, here are some precautions you can take: Before leaving your cottage make sure to: remove your garbage take it home or drop it off at an approved waste disposal site on your way use a strong disinfectant to eliminate all odours from garbage and recycling containers and lids ne

Lake Michigan-Huron is 9 inches below its level at this time last year. From a month ago, the water levels on Lakes Superior, Michigan-Huron, St. Clair, Erie & Ontario are down 1, 6, 4, 7 & 6 inches, respectively. Lake Superior levels are up 2 inches from the same as last year, while Lakes Michigan-Huron, St. Clair, Erie & Ontario are lower by 9, 9, 9 & 2 inches, respectively, than they were at this time last year. Lakes Superior & Michigan-Huron are 2 & 8 inches below their long-term September averages. Lakes St. Clair, Erie & Ontario are 1, 0 & 0 inches above their long-term September averages. All the lakes remain well below their September record highs. In a month, Lakes Superior, Michigan-Huron, St. Clair, Erie & Ontario levels are pred

It might still feel like summer out there, but Georgian Bay waters are rapidly cooling off posing a serious risk to anyone on the water. With current water temperatures at 18.2°C (64.9°F) in Honey Harbour and 14.7°C (58.5°F) in Killarney, it's crucial to be aware of the dangers and take necessary precautions.  Cold water poses significant dangers, including cold shock upon initial immersion which can lead to gasping, panic, and potentially drowning. Prolonged exposure can also cause hypothermia, a condition where the body loses heat faster than it can produce it. Additionally, cold water can severely limit swimming ability and coordination, making self-rescue more difficult. Keep Yourself Safe: Always wear a life jacket - a life jacket is crucial in cold water, prov

What are sea lampreys and why are they problematic? Sea lampreys are an ancient form of a jawless fish with a toothed, funnel like mouth, that suck blood out of fish. They entered the Great Lakes through the St. Lawrence Seaway. During the 50’s, Lake Huron’s commercial fishing industry was verging on collapse. In particular, one of the most valued species, Lake Trout, a favorite sea lamprey meal, was nearing extinction. The good news is Lake Huron’s sea lamprey population (once the largest in the Great Lakes with over 700,000 in the 1940’s and 1950’s) has been declining. For example, in 2015 the population fell to 70,000, well below the target of 90,000 set by the Great Lakes Fisheries Commission (GLFC), established in 1954 to oversee a Great Lakes sea lamprey control

The message from traditional Indigenous teachings is that catch and release is disrespectful to the fish (it can also harm their ability to eat properly after they are released) and one should only fish respectfully, which includes eating the fish we catch. Now it seems there is another reason to question this practice. Some bass are smarter than we might think, learn to avoid lures and can pass that knowledge down through the generations! Who knew! - Read more here. -

What’s your name and what’s your connection to Georgian Bay? Sheila Williams and I (Celesta Bjornson) are the co-presidents of the Bay of Islands Association (BICA) and have been enjoying our summers in the Bay of Islands since we were toddlers. My family is from Pittsburgh and we originally found the Bay of Islands in the 1950s by vacationing at a fishing lodge called Moredolpton Lodge. Sheila's family is one of the founding families of the Bay of Islands. Her grandfather discovered the Bay of Islands in early 1900s while working on the lakers, travelling from southern Georgian Bay to the North Channel, transporting lumber back south. He fell in love with the area and purchased an island around 1924 and began building a cottage. Why is being a Guardian of the Bay important to yo

Luc Voorn is a cottager in the South Channel and a passionate advocate for Georgian Bay. He currently serves as the Membership Chairperson for the South Channel Association (SCA), Editor of the SCA “On the Waterfront” newsletter, and as Director, Friends of the Massasauga Park. This past summer (2019), he was nominated as a Guardian of Georgian Bay for his ongoing enthusiasm and efforts to protect and preserve the Bay. Note from Jamie Drayton, GBA Chair of Guardians of Georgian Bay Committee My Dad used to take us camping. His lure to get us to bathe was to promise us ice cream if we ran into the water first thing in the morning for a swim. I recall the water being absolutely freezing at 7 o’clock in the morning… I don’t recall ever getting any ice cream. A few years l

Boating from October through June offers a very different experience steeped in solitude and excellent fishing. It is a beautiful time to be on the water. But boating during this season also requires extra attention to detail and the ability to be self-sufficient given that there are fewer boaters around should you require assistance. Here are some helpful tips from the Canadian Safe Boating Council (CSBC) and the Ontario Federation of Anglers & Hunters to make off-season boating safer for you. Check the weather forecast. The weather can change quickly and storms can be more violent. Fog is also more common. Ensure that your boat and engine are in good working order. Ethanol-based fuel can allow water contamination in the tank. The use of a fuel additive prevents water in the f

As nominated by Heather Sargeant  My Phragbuster Hero About 5 or 6 years ago, at an event jointly put on by the Georgian Bay Association, Georgian Bay Forever, and featuring Dr. Gilbert, an ecologist with Phragmites expertise , I first learned about invasive Phragmites and the harm it can have on wetlands. I decided to investigate if Phragmites was a threat in Woods Bay (my favourite area of Georgian Bay), and that’s when my journey tackling this plant began.  I wasn’t sure if a plant across from the family cottage was indeed the invasive type, and so I was nervous and queasy about leading people to help me cut it.  What if it was the native plant, and I’d taken all these people out to cut down something benign? One of my neighbors told me there was a hero on Georgian

The Nature Conservancy of Canada is asking motorists to look out for vulnerable turtles on our roadways. Road surfaces provide an attractive source of warmth for these cold-blooded reptiles, particularly in the spring and early summer. During this time, turtles are mating and nesting; in late summer and early fall, newly hatched turtles are travelling from their nests to nearby wetlands. The Nature Conservatory of Canada has an informative video and tips for safely moving turtles. Watch the video and read the tips here.

Here are some things to think about around Fire Safety at the cottage: Make sure smoke and carbon monoxide detectors are present and working. Have a list of local emergency numbers posted for all to see. Include all pertinent cottage location information.   Have the right fire extinguishers in the right places. Have an individual fire plan for evacuation. Make sure your plan has two escape routes. Respect local fire ratings. Have a fire pump and use it regularly to ensure it is in good working order. At the very least have a list of neighbours to call for assistance. Follow your association’s emergency plan if it exists. Make sure you have insurance. Make sure you understand what it covers and that it is adequate to rebuild and covers contents AND fire de