TAFIP
Lakeshore Drive P0H 2H0 Temagami, ON, Canada

From all of the volunteers at TAFIP, happy Thanksgiving!

SHOAL CLEANING AT ANGUS LAKE: Prior to commencing with any shoal cleaning there are many steps that must be adhered to such as: inspecting areas to be considered for treatment; ensure fish actually spawn in these areas; do the areas require cleaning due to siltation; are there any detriment effects after cleaning the shoals etc. Once these steps are competed then approval must be obtained from the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry (MNRF) and Fisheries and Oceans C...anada. (DFO) The first shoal cleaning on Angus Lake was initiated during the late summer of 2019. Lake resident, Charlie MacDougall, provided the TAFIP program with his pontoon boat which made it easy to work from. We had hoped to complete the initial shoal cleaning project in 2019 but due to pump issues we only completed approximately 50% of our target. One of our TAFIP members who was working on the project generously provided his own pump to complete the 50% of the project. This year our target was to complete the final stages of the Angus Lake shoal cleaning project but there were issues we had to address such as: lack of a pontoon boat to work from as well as pump issues that had to be resolved. Thanks to Ridgewood Cottages (Brian & Laura) who assisted us by providing a pontoon boat as well as any other equipment required to do the shoal cleaning. Also, thanks to our TAFIP volunteers the shoal cleaning on Angus Lake was completed just one day prior to the deadline of August 31, 2020 set by the MNRF and DFO. By cleaning the Walleye spawning shoals the Walleye eggs have a much greater chance of hatching into fry, then growing into fingerlings and adults. The shoal cleaning in the past two years should show a definite increase in the Walleye population within the next few years. Pictures taken of this project were taken over a 2-year period.

SHERMAN REARING POND UPDATES: As you know, due to the COVID virus in 2020 we had to cancel the collection of Walleye eggs and operations of the hatchery program due to physical distancing. Since the COVID virus hampered our hatchery program, we were able to work on upgrading many facets of the hatchery field operations such as: upgrading of the rearing ponds; upgrading the Sherman Water reserve pond; hatchery operations. In addition, we rehabilitated some Walleye shoal sp...awning areas within the Temagami area as well. Major improvements have been made to our Sherman Rearing pond this year by contouring the pond to drain towards the dam outlet. By properly contouring the rearing pond it will eliminate stress on the fingerlings (minimize mortality) during extraction; as well, less volunteers will be required to extract the Walleye fingerlings. With the improved contouring and the recent purchase of a large 3’ x 40’ and a 3’ x 16’ seine net we will be able to corral the fingerlings into a small area for easy extraction during the 2021 season. Along with the improvements already mentioned we will be sampling the growth of the Walleye fry into fingerlings by using cone nets to ensure the fish are extracted prior to cannibalism. In addition, we will also increase monitoring of the ponds water quality (e.g. oxygen levels; algae; water levels; predators etc.) During the 2021 season we will be adding more shade areas which will assist in controlling loss of fish due to high water temperature. With improvements made to many segments of our hatchery operation this year our goal is to increase future stocking of Walleye fry and fingerlings within the Temagami area which will benefit future generations.

OFAH President Rob Hare (centre) presenting the 2020 Doug Clarke Memorial Award to the OFAH Community Hatchery Program on behalf of the Canadian Wildlife Federa...tion (CWF). Matt Burley (right), Coordinator of the Community Hatchery Program and Kelly Mullen (left), community hatchery representative and President of the Lake Huron Fishing Club accepted the award on behalf of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry partnership supporting the hard work of over 40 volunteer run community hatcheries raising public fish for public waters in Ontario. This award is presented to a CWF affiliate for the most outstanding conservation project completed by its clubs or members during the previous year. Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters - Canadian Wildlife Federation - Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry - Ontario Fish and Wildlife - Ontario Government - Lake Huron Fishing Club - #Conservation #Fishing

Every year, the third Saturday in September is National Hunting, Trapping, and Fishing Heritage Day! This is an official day set in law to respect and recognize hunting, trapping, and fishing as part of Canada’s national heritage. How are you celebrating?! For more information, visit ofah.org/heritageday/ #camoday #heritageday Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters Community Hatchery Program

"Thanks to Honda Outdoors and the Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters for your support, the Temagami Fish Hatchery volunteers really appreciate our new Ho...nda water pump. The community hatchery used this pump to drain the Walleye fingerling ponds to do repair work so we are ready to raise fish again next year." - Ike Laba, Temagami and Area Fish Involvement Program (TAFIP) #HeritageDay TAFIP - Temagami Area Fish Involvement Program Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry Ontario Fish and Wildlife See more