Tag: fisher

Help us maintain the Algonquin trout fishing tradition

Today’s post comes from Nick Lacombe, fisheries biologist at Algonquin Provincial Park.

For me, springtime in Algonquin means trout fishing.

Many others share this feeling, as about 70% of backcountry campers fish for trout during their spring trips. Lakes containing Brook and Lake Trout are found throughout the Algonquin backcountry, with the best lakes often being more challenging to reach.

Fellow anglers, we need your help to protect Algonquin’s trout populations.

Starting on the opening day of trout season (April 27, 2024), angler survey packages will be available at all operating Algonquin offices.

Do your part and complete an angler survey.

*Always check the Ontario Fishing Regulations for the area you’re fishing in.

Continue reading Help us maintain the Algonquin trout fishing tradition

Should we beware the Fisher… or the Fisher fiction?

In today’s post, Awenda Provincial Park‘s Chief Park Naturalist Tim Tully tackles (not literally) a terrifying beast.

Pick a negative adjective and it has likely been leveled at the Fisher. There are few predators in North America which suffer from a worse reputation than this mid-sized member of the weasel family.

Fishers come with the reputation of being mean, nasty, and combative – devil-beasts with social skills that would make the Grinch look like Mr. Rogers.

Many can’t seem to resist the temptation to pass along and exaggerate a gruesome telling of a predator encounter – a tradition that likely dates back to a Stone Age campfire.

Everyone has a “did ya hear about” story about this maligned mammal. But exactly how much of the Fisher’s story has gotten away from its ecological reality?

Continue reading Should we beware the Fisher… or the Fisher fiction?