E.L.C.A. Eagle Lake Conservation Association P.O. Box 539, South River, Ontario, P0A 1X0

	Our thanks go out to Peter Maeck, our volunteer fire chief. He has placed a "Fire Risk" report sign at the Narrows, at the corner of Scarlet Road & Riding Ranch Road, as well as at the end of Morris Lane (south end). These signs tell us whether or not it is safe to have outdoor fires of any kind ... including fireworks. We realize that, while at the lake, you may listen to the radio stations in North Bay or Parry Sound. The fire bans reported on those stations DO NOT APPLY IN OUR REGION! Also, Mikisew Park has their own rules and regulations because they are a provincial park - they do not apply to the rest of the lake!

FROM THE LAKE STEWARD For those of you who fish, please do not dump bait fish into the lake. This practice leads to invading species, and decreases catch possibilities.
	Doug Ivens Rainbow Trout - 6 lbs; 28 inches April 2006

IMPORTANT REMINDERS

FISHING CAUTION... Those of us who enjoy fishing MUST be considerate of those who enjoy swimming. Please DO NOT cast close to shore in swimming areas or near private docks. Every year, there are numerous incidents of lost lures/hooks becoming embedded in the feet of swimmers - some requiring surgery to remove. Please respect the rights of swimmers to enjoy Eagle Lake, too - AVOID FISHING IN SWIMMING AREAS.

CANADA GEESE... Please DO NOT feed the Canada Geese. Anyone who has visited parks in Toronto or Mississauga are aware of how problematic it can become when you do so. When geese concentrate at specific sites, droppings can become not only aesthetically unpleasant, but a health hazard. Their droppings near our water can elevate bacteria levels (fecal coliform). This can lead to beach closures, declining fish population, undrinkable water, and an unusable lake. Left to their own devices, the moulting period (when Canada Geese are nesting and flightless) lasts only a couple of weeks. They will be there whether you feed them or not. However, feeding Canada Geese encourages them to remain in the area, which not only makes them a nuisance to property owners, but disrupts their natural cycle. Remember, too, that no matter how tame they seem to become when you feed them, they are still wild birds. Please respect these birds AND your neighbours, and DO NOT FEED THE CANADA GEESE.

DECLINE IN LOON POPULATION

Most of us have chosen to come to Eagle Lake because we want to enjoy the peace and tranquility it offers. Eagle Lake has become “home” to many new residents along with a growing summer population. Eagle Lake is also a home and sanctuary to fish and wildlife.

The loon survey for 2005 indicated that there were no successful breeding pairs of loons on Eagle Lake in the past season. Since the loon surveys some ten years ago, this is the first year that no baby loons survived. Many factors can disrupt normal breeding for loons including disruption to their nesting sites, and human activity that frightens the birds and causes them to alter their normal behavior patterns. One potential cause is the noise created by fireworks that are set off on the shore of the lake by cottagers and visitors at various times during the year. It is a known fact that disturbances such as humans close to nests, wave action from boats, loud noises from fireworks can create a disturbance.

Those of us who own domestic animals, particularly dogs, can attest to the level of anxiety this noise creates for them. For birds as sensitive as loons, this can result in alterations in their normal behavior patterns and as a consequence, reduction or elimination of successful breeding.

The Eagle Lake Conservation Association would like to request that all cottagers and visitors to Eagle Lake be content to enjoy the municipal fireworks display and forego their own fireworks display. Let’s all do our part to keep the loons and other wildlife stress free and keep Eagle Lake alive.

LAKE MARKERS

This map is to give boaters a general idea of where the lake markers are located. It is not intended for navigational purposes.

Click on the map thumbnail to view it online.

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