NORTHERN ONTARIO -- It has been an interesting winter so far, especially for those who enjoy the outdoors.
Changing weather conditions have led to a later start than most years for many of the outdoor activities enjoyed by those who live in Northern Ontario.
“Although we did have some snow early on, the temperatures didn’t really sustain themselves to make a lot of ice,” said Travis Stromness, a conservation officer for the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry’s Dryden District.
“I remember walking outside on Christmas Eve and it was raining outside, which was very unnatural for this time of year.”
With temperatures expected to be around or above zero over the next week, Stromness is reminding people to stay safe as they venture outdoors.
That includes testing the ice in unfamiliar areas, seeking local knowledge of ice levels, wearing warm clothing and having ice picks accessible if you go through the ice.
“It’s also incredibly important that you let somebody know where you are going,” Stromness said.
“I know that when I leave home, I tell my wife where I’m going and when to expect me back and then I reach out to her when I’m back in phone service.
“In the event that something bad were to happen or you are in a situation where your snowmobile breaks down, there’s at least some information so that the people you are close to can give that to the police or whoever is helping and assisting in the search and rescue effort as a starting point.”
While conditions have improved enough for ice to form, especially after a major cold snap earlier this month, the thickness varies everywhere from rivers in the region or bigger waterways such as Rainy Lake or Lake of the Woods.
“A lot of the trouble is when the lakes freeze over and then you get a little bit of ice on top and then you get a skiff of snow. It becomes impossible to know just how thick the ice is,” Stromness said.
“I think a lot of people have been noting the unseasonable warm weather and they’ve been taking extra caution, which is really good to see.”
Scott Kast, who is the owner of Tomahawk Resorts on the south side of Sioux Narrows, said this year has been different for ice fishing.
“I mean, we’re lacking snow but the ice fishing has been really good and the ice conditions are good as well,” Kast said.
“We’ve been getting feedback from the fishermen that getting on the lake is pretty easy and there’s hardly any slush out there. Though if you want to do more back-country exploring, that’s a little bit difficult due to the lack of snow.”
