Once Flourishing Barehead Lake Pickerel Fishery In Need Of Responsible Angling Again
Bearhead Lake signage. Photo provided by Chris Denny
MANITOUWADGE, ON – At this time of year anglers thoughts are turning to open water fishing and for many Barehead Lake comes to mind.
The Barehead Lake pickerel fishery once flourished however in the late 1960’s it succumbed to fishing pressure. In the 70’s the MNR and the local “Walleye Working Group” teamed up and began a revitalization project which would span four decades. More recently the Manitouwadge Outdoor Enthusiasts also joined the list of volunteers. Adult fish transfers, fingerling stocking and spawning bed enhancement projects took place and were completed, for the most part, by volunteers in this community. Pickerel fishing was halted on the lake about ten years ago while additional stocking and lake bed improvements were made.
In July 2012 the MNR re-opened the lake to pickerel fishing and it has been the focus of a good number of local anglers. The lake is close to town, not easily accessed with larger boats, however launching smaller craft is not a problem. There are concerns that fishing pressure will soon reduce the lake’s fish stock of pickerel to the 1970’s level. This may well happen but we believe if restraint is used when it comes to keeping a limit catch the fishery may survive.
Take a kid fishing. Educate the next generation of “catch and release” anglers.You will find they are very receptive to the idea. Take a camera and capture the moment, make a memory that will last forever. We should be applying this attitude to the majority of lakes in our area as growth rate is slow in the smaller bodies of water. Also targeting other species on the same water body such as pike , perch and whitefish will reduce the pressure on the pickerel.
As financial pressures continue on the MNR,the commitment to re-stocking could eventually be in jeopardy.
We need to be prepared to protect this valuable resource.
