guelph lake, Anyone fished it thus year

There is long sections of open parking, and long sections of closed parking. Around the dam is closed for quite a ways. Directly across from the garden center is open and there are 2 manageable access points.

OK, I got a written reply from GRCA as follows:

Paul,
Here is a link to a news release that the GRCA put out a few years back regarding ice fishing on Guelph lake.

http://www.grandriver.ca/Newsroom/News.cfm?id=572.

Although this was written in 2011, nothing has changed since then and the information contained within it is still accurate.

Brad Kuntz
Assistant Superintendent,
Guelph Lake Conservation Area
7743 Conservation Rd. RR4
Guelph ON N1H 6J1
519-824-5061 ext. 3159

Link document stating trespass charges can laid.



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January 10, 2011

Stay off the ice at Guelph Lake

Guelph Lake Conservation Area is closed for the winter season, but that hasn’t stopped some people from venturing out onto the ice.

The Grand River Conservation Authority wants to warn them that they are putting their safety at risk and could open themselves up to charges of trespassing.

The GRCA used to run an ice-fishing program on Guelph Lake but dropped it a few years ago. When the program was in place, GRCA staff would check ice thickness daily to ensure it was safe. When the ice was too thin, the program would be shut down until it was safe to resume. GRCA staff were also on hand to deal with any emergencies that might arise.

However, now that the ice fishing program is no longer offered, ice thickness is not monitored and GRCA staff may not be available to help if an angler runs into difficulty.

Guelph Lake is a working reservoir, and water levels can rise or fall quickly, meaning ice can become thin or unstable in a very short period of time and without warning.

Avid anglers can go ice-fishing at three other GRCA parks where winter programs are in place. The GRCA offers ice fishing at Shade’s Mills in Cambridge, Pinehurst Lake near Paris, and Belwood Lake near Fergus. Conditions are monitored daily in these locations to ensure the safety of those out on the ice.

For more information on ice-fishing and other winter activities at GRCA parks, visit the winter activities page at Winter Activities Update .

-30-

Further information: Cameron Linwood, GRCA Communications Co-ordinator
Phone: (519) 621-2763, Ext. 2251
Fax: (519) 621-4844
E-mail: Cameron Linwood



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Ya, I fish Guelph Lake all the time. No sleds, and leave no garbage. No one will bug ya. Theres 30 plus people out there every weekend.

Went to Guelph Lake last week, looks like the city has recently put up no parking signs along Hwy 24 where everyone has been parking for years. Wonder why that is? Luckily the nursery has been accommodating anglers with $5 all day parking. Fishing was good, pike are biting hard but the perch are on the smaller end. Ice was 18"+ and probably thicker now.

have been out several times , off and on good fishing , pay attention to the moon phases ,actually works .
On 24 it is now posted ,but Nursery across the road ha $5 parking .
By the damn a little tricky for parking , depending on the day you will get fined $30

Yeah true, the lake can be hot and cold at times. Haven't paid much attention to the moon phases but will definitely check it out now, thanks!
I just find it strange that after years of worry free parking along 24 the township would just change that out of the blue. It must have happened in early February as i was parking there in late January and there were no signs. Anyone have any insight on that?

Was wondering the same thing myself? The first Saturday the lake was frozen I don't think I've seen so many cars along 24. Not that it isn't usual busy it just seemed like a lot more people were out probably because we had warm weather and late ice and other lakes weren't frozen over. The no parking signs were always along 24 but it seemed after that first or second weekend they came and added all the new signs. Maybe people complained because they were out issuing tickets on the ice too?

Just wondering though, was talking to a fishing store owner and he told me he was showed a picture
Of a 25 pound pike caught through the ice this winter. Anyone hear about this?

I lived in Guelph from 1998 until 2011. The no parking signs went up a couple years before I moved north. Typical of all things Guelph. I love the town, don't get me wrong. But there is definitely a "control the population and create more regulation" mentality of the governing bodies there. Look at the GRCA's statement posted earlier in this thread.

Paraphrased:

"We don't want you to go there because we don't monitor the ice thickness daily to tell you that it is safe."

Also read, "don't fish there because you'll sue us if you fall through the 18+ inches of ice, which, once formed, could not possibly become 3 inches of ice overnight, even if the night went from -10 to +30 degrees."

This is the state of our municipal government systems and small regulating bodies like GRCA.

I have been fishing the lakes in this area for years. Never had and/or heard of any issues of parking or fishing Guelph Lake. Always seen and/or been parking across from the nursery. Looks like someones high flying email really did get " the ball rolling on enforcement", much appreciated (not).

So let's get something straight here about this. Let's say you own a stocked rainbow trout pond on your your beautifull property and you had a no trespassing sign up, does that mean I can still fish on your property and ignore the law that protects you and your assets. And if I fall through the ice on your pond, you don't mind if I send my medical and rescue bills to you. Furthermore, when rivers are closed for the season, do you ignore the law and still fish there like you own it. Let me know. Just curious.

If they say the water level can change causing the ice thickness to change. No thanks I will go to a different lake why take the chance even taking my child there noway!. MY wife would freak after reading that article.

i say we all just go ice fishing and stop worrying about what other people do. if you don't want to go out there then don't that simple. theres only a few months of ice fishing per season get out and enjoy it..

There was 28" of ice at the end of last season, stay away from the dam opening and be smart about the risk along the shoreline and it will be fine.