As mentioned in a previous post, our plans for 2011 include easier access to our multiple remote outlakes including cleaning the trails and improving the boat launches. We also plan to install additional landscaping designs around a few of the log cottages in order to make more room for you to enjoy those group barbecues.

We hope the weather will stay dry enough this spring to get more painting done. And, although we did not participate in the work, we would like to mention the gravel resurfacing and improvements made to the road heading out to camp.  Very nice and makes for smoother traveling.

This year we are also focusing on improvements on the docking system at Wenasaga Lodge. We now have the lights and electricity hooked up on the docks for your convenience. If anyone has any ideas or examples of a railing system that would make climbing in and out of the boats a little easier, we would love to hear them.

We look forward to seeing you all this summer at Wenasaga!

• 8 day regular fishing tag – 49.02
• 8 day conservation fishing tag – 28.27
• Annual regular fishing tag – $76.49
• Annual conservation fishing tag – $47.13
• Moose tag – $438.28
• Black bear tag – $219.01
• Small game tag – $109.63

Just a reminder for our regulars and a heads up for new guests, a Non-Canadian Resident Outdoors Card is required before you can purchase an actual fishing or hunting license. The card is good for 3 years from date of purchase and this year, it costs $9.68 (Canadian).

If you plan on hunting, remember that you’ll need a valid hunting license from your home jursidiction to show a card issuer.

The Ministry of Natural Resources has mentioned that it’s trying to have an updated licensing system available on its website by this summer so those of you with current non-resident cards might consider purchasing your fishing or hunting tag online when this system becomes available. We’ll post a link when we find out that the online ordering system is live.

The moose hunters  enjoyed perfect weather as well.  Nice frosty mornings.  The 3 archery hunters (Wenasaga Lodge has only a limited amount of moose hunting tags) had multiple answers to their calls and  saw 5 moose – one as close as 5 feet. That one was too close to shoot, however, they successfully got their bull on their next outing.

It was the one of the best years for archery hunting in David’s experience as a hunter.

Check out our bear and moose hunting photos as we’ll be continuously adding new pictures as we get them throughout this winter.

Everyone reported great fishing.  A couple of other trophy sized fish were  caught and released (even a 25+ inch walleye caught by Dad today).  Incredible stringers of nice eaters have been brought in daily.  One group said they caught and released over 50 walleyes in one morning!  Another group left Friday with the largest one week fish caught and released count they have ever had.

The free use of our several outlakes have also produced great results.  A group was extremely satisfied with their lake trout catch.  We’ll have the pictures up later on our website.

In terms of the weather, instead of the  heavy winter coats and rain jackets that were necessary for the last 2 years,  2010’s opening day was a balmy 72 degrees F.   All week the temperatures ranged from low 70’s to mid 80’s.  We had a few showers but nothing to hamper the fishing.  And no bugs to speak off! A nice breeze kept the lake from getting too calm and a late afternoon cloud cover and quick shower satisfied those who prefer the overcast weather for fishing.

All in all, it seems that 2010 is off to a great start and we look forward to seeing you here this summer.

Americans who use their own boats in Canada are NOT required to have this card but non-residents are encouraged to apply online and take the boating exam, especially if they plan long vacations in Canada.  The fact that American boat owners do not need a card seems contradictory — the locals here in Ontario are confused to say the least.

Americans who are renting boats and/or equipment from a registered tourist operator in Ontario don’t have to buy one of these cards either. Renters only need to fill out and sign a Rental Boat Safety Check List, which is usually supplied and co-signed by a tourist operator.

So for all of you that have read the magazine or online articles and wondered what was up this year, don’t worry about the card. We’ll have the Rental Boat Safety Check List ready for you to sign here at the lodge when you arrive for your Canadian fishing trips.

Ontario Non-Resident Fishing Licenses *

• Seasonal Fishing License $69.50
• 8-day Regular Fishing License $44.50
• 8-day Conservation Fishing License $25.75

Ontario Non-Resident Hunting Licenses *

• Moose Hunting License $396.75
• Black Bear Hunting License $198.25
• Deer Hunting License $198.25
• Wolves / Coyotes Hunting License $245.25
• Small Game Hunting License $99.25

Additionally, new regulations (as of last year) require you to purchase an Outdoors Card before you can acquire a license. This card is either a fishing or a duel hunting/fishing non-resident Outdoors Card, costs $9 and is good for 3 years from the date of purchase (you need to remember to bring the card back up to Canada every year).

If you were up here last year, bought an Outdoors Card and didn’t receive it in the mail, just be sure to bring that pink slip of paper you received when you filled out the application last year… it works even if you didn’t get your card in the mail.

If you plan to hunt in Ontario please plan ahead and purchase the duel hunting/fishing outdoors card (you will need an original hunting license from your state of residence).

We sell the licenses and the Outdoors Cards so you you can simply purchase from us when you arrive this year. In future years, the government plans to bring the license purchase process online and we’ll keep you posted when this happens.

*Please note that the above fees are in Canadian dollars and depending on where you purchase the licenses and the current exchange rate, you might be paying different amounts in U.S. dollars.  Also be aware that after July 1, 2010 the provincial government will be charging an additional tax of 8%.

Why? Well, starting in the early spring many walleye and northern pike on Lac Seul make an annual pilgrimage up the river system to spawn in Lake Wenasaga. This makes for excellent fishing opportunities all season long because many fish end up staying in our lake rather than heading southward again.

Lake Wenasaga also has the added bonus of being less crowded than Lac Seul. There are several sets of rapids on the river system that separates the two lakes. These rapids are large enough to prohibit anglers in the boats on Lac Seul from getting up into Lake Wenasaga. This is a good thing for all of our guests at Wenasaga Lodge because Lac Seul is heavily promoted and there are a multitude of boats that tend to crowd the lower spawning sanctuary.

To get a better idea of what we’re talking about, in terms of great fishing and peaceful surroundings, check out our walleye and northern pike fishing pictures from the last 5 years. Have any questions? Please comment or send an email and we’ll get right back to you.

We’re also proud of the new screened porch on Cabin 10 and will post pictures as soon as the snow melts. With these recent developments as well as the fresh paint down on several of the cabin floors at the end of the season in 2009, we like to think we are keeping up the standards our guests at Wenasaga Lodge have come to expect.

We are looking forward to another great year of fishing on Lake Wenasaga. And we look forward to seeing all our returning guests again and meeting the new ones. Have a great day today and just ignore all that snow outside your window — less than 3 months to go until the fishing season begins!