Studying Coaster Brook Trout at Neys Provincial Park

Today’s post comes from Mitch Kostecki, Assistant Superintendent at White Lake Provincial Park.

If you have ever visited Neys Provincial Park, you know that it’s a gem found along the northern shore of Lake Superior.

Neys is known for its beautiful scenery along Superior’s rugged coastline, home to Lawren Harris’ famous painting “Pic Island,” and even has a history of being one of several POW camps located throughout northwestern Ontario during World War II.

What Neys isn’t quite as well known for? The excellent fishing opportunities found along that same rugged coastline.

Continue reading Studying Coaster Brook Trout at Neys Provincial Park

Looking up at Mars

Did you know that we can see surface detail on Mars with even a small telescope?

During most of October, Mars rises at sunset and sets at sunrise. It is now (after the sun and moon) the brightest object in the sky and noticeably pinkish!

Mars’ orbit is somewhat elliptical (egg-shaped), meaning that about every two years or so, Mars comes closer to the Earth, becoming both brighter and larger in visual appearance if looking through a telescope.

Some of these close approaches are better than others. This year, on October 6, Mars is closer to us than it will be for the next 15 years, so get out and do some planet-gazing in the autumn air!

Continue reading Looking up at Mars

Quetico’s wilderness voices

Today’s post comes from Jill Legault, an information specialist at Quetico Provincial Park.

Quetico’s oral histories have been locked away on archival cassettes at the John B. Ridley Research Library — until now.

Courtesy of history enthusiasts from the University of Wisconsin Whitewater, they have come out of the vault and into our ears.

Continue reading Quetico’s wilderness voices

4 tips for a bear-free campsite

There’s nothing worse than coming back to your campsite after a day of fun and finding a bear has ransacked your cooler.

Stop encouraging Yogi Bear’s pic-a-nic basket habit by keeping your campsite clean.

Here are four ways to keep your campsite clean and bear-free:

Continue reading 4 tips for a bear-free campsite

September salmon fishing on Lake Superior

Did you know there are parks along Lake Superior’s eastern shore with great salmon fishing? Park staff who fish Superior’s north shore recommend two in particular: Pancake Bay and Lake Superior Provincial Parks. These parks are just forty minutes apart on the northeastern shore between Sault Ste. Marie and Wawa off Highway 17 (aka the Trans Canada Highway).
Continue reading September salmon fishing on Lake Superior

4 tips for choosing the perfect RV

The ability to take your “home away from home” all over the province has never been more appealing.

The assurance that your living space is safe for your family, combined with the freedom to travel where and when you want, has proved to be an ideal way for Ontarians to enjoy the great outdoors while maintaining physical distancing.

With help from our friends at the Canadian RV Association (CRVA), we’ve created a list of hot tips to guide you through finding your perfect RV:

Continue reading 4 tips for choosing the perfect RV

Water safety at Bon Echo

The famous Mazinaw Lake at Bon Echo Provincial Park attracts tons of visitors every year.

We love to see our visitors enjoy beginner friendly canoe routes or swimming in Joeperry Lake and Mazinaw Lake, however we want you to partake in water activities safely.

Here are some precautions to ensure you explore Bon Echo safely:

Continue reading Water safety at Bon Echo