GBA's Executive Director, Meredith Denning, attended the Great Lakes Public Forum, where the results of the 2050 State of the Great Lakes Report (SOGL) were presented. This report—the authoritative assessment of the health of our waters—classifies the overall Lake Huron/Georgian Bay ecosystem as "Fair to Good" with an "Unchanging" trend. According to the report, the Lake Huron basin remains a reliable source of high-quality drinking water and provides excellent opportunities for swimming and recreation. However, the report highlights several key "Fair" and "Poor" indicators that demand our attention: - Nutrients and Algae: While offshore phosphorus is stable, nearshore areas are prone to nuisance algal growth (Cladophora). Specifically, the southern end of Georgian Bay remai

Lake Michigan-Huron is 3 inches below its level at this time last year. From a month ago, the water levels on Lake Michigan-Huron are up 1 inch. Lake Superior water levels are the same, while Lakes St. Clair, Erie & Ontario are down 2, 4 & 1 inches, respectively. Lakes Superior & Ontario levels are up 5 & 4 inches, respectively, from last year, while Lakes Michigan-Huron & Erie are lower by 3 & 8 inches, respectively, than they were at this time last year. Lake St. Clair levels are currently the same as they were last year. Lakes Superior, Michigan-Huron, St. Clair, Erie & Ontario are 4, 11, 3, 7 & 3 inches below their long-term February averages. All the lakes remain well below their February record highs. In a month, Lake Superior level

After a series of historically low-ice winters, the Great Lakes made a significant comeback in 2026. Data from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) confirms that ice coverage across the basin peaked at 58% on February 9, marking the highest ice levels seen since 2019. - While the last few years saw the lakes struggle to freeze, 2026 surpassed long-term averages across the board. The surge was driven by an intense cold spell in late January and early February, allowing ice to build rapidly. - Where the Lakes Topped Out: Lake Huron: A major overachiever, surging to 77% coverage (well above its 50% average). As of late February, it remains nearly half-covered at 47%. Lake Erie: Came within four percentage points of freezing over entirely, peaking

The Township of Georgian Bay is considering an application to Transport Canada to establish a 9 km/h water speed limit in a specific area of Honey Harbour. This request falls under the federal Vessel Operation Restriction Regulations (VORR) and aims to enhance waterway safety, protect sensitive shorelines, and preserve the local quality of life. - The speed restriction would cover the area stretching from the northeast end of Royal Island to west side Mermaid Island and the Southeast side of Mermaid Island to 2849 Honey Harbour Road. The channel located in front of Nauilus Marina and the Honey Harbour Boat Club. - Only a local authority can request this type of VORR from the federal government. To ensure the decision reflects the needs of those who live, work, and play in the area, t

The Ontario government announced a $20 million investment through the new Species Conservation Program, and Georgian Bay ecosystems are set to benefit directly. - This funding will support 46 community-led projects that protect the plants and animals that make Ontario so unique. Minister of the Environment, Conservation and Parks, Todd McCarthy said “By making strategic investments to support experienced conservation leaders, we are taking action to restore habitat, support species recovery efforts and protect Ontario’s rich biodiversity for generations to come.” - Spotlight on Georgian Bay Initiatives While the funding spans the province, several key projects are happening around Georgian Bay: - Georgian Bay Forever: Receives vital support to continue the removal of

On February 12, the Impact Assessment Agency of Canada (IAAC) hosted a hybrid information session at Meaford Hall to clarify the federal regulatory roadmap for TC Energy's proposed Pumped Storage Project. The session drew significant community interest, with over 100 residents attending in person and over 150 more participating online. - The meeting featured presentations from several federal departments, including Environment and Climate Change Canada, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada and the Department of National Defence. These agencies outlined their roles in the upcoming impact assessment process, which will evaluate the project’s footprint on the 4th Canadian Division Training Centre lands and potential environmental impa

As the sun gets stronger and the days get longer, the ice on Georgian Bay undergoes a dangerous transformation. What was a solid, predictable surface becomes "rotten ice"—a state where thickness is no longer a reliable measure of safety. - The Science of the Soften: What is "Rotten Ice"? When air temperatures fluctuate to near or above freezing, the crystal structure of the ice begins to break down. This process, called honeycombing, occurs when water and air pockets infiltrate the vertical grain of the ice. Even if the ice measures 10 inches thick, if it is honeycombed, it has reduced lateral strength and can collapse under your weight like a house of cards. - While mid-winter ice is typically clear and "blue," late winter ice can take on a dull grey or black appearance. This ind

Lake Michigan-Huron is 5 inches below its level at this time last year. From a month ago, the water levels on Lakes Superior, Michigan-Huron, St. Clair & Erie are down 2, 1, 4 & 3 inches, respectively, while Lake Ontario levels are the same. Lakes Superior, St. Clair & Ontario levels are up 3, 4 & 3 inches, respectively, from last year, while Lakes Michigan-Huron & Erie are lower by 5 & 8 inches, respectively, than they were at this time last year. Lakes Superior, Michigan-Huron, St. Clair, Erie & Ontario are 4, 12, 5, 6 & 4 inches below their long-term February averages. All the lakes remain well below their February record highs. In a month, Lake Superior levels are predicted to fall by 1 inch. Lakes Michigan-Huron, St. Clair, Erie &

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