It’s been a busy several days along the Ganaraska River in Port Hope starting on Friday, September 4, 2020.
There were at least 15 people who received fines from Port Hope Police after disobeying the signs stating no entry was allowed on municipal lands for access to the river.
The ticket carries a fine of $180.
No one who received a ticket from Friday to Monday was from Northumberland County.
On September 1, 2020, Port Hope Council voted to temporary close municipal lands bordering the Ganaraska River. It essentially shuts down salmon fishing for the 2020 season.
On Sunday, September 6, 2020, Port Hope Police received a complaint about three people just south of Molson Street with fishing rods.
The men from the Toronto area were each given tickets for $180.
Not long after that, five others were charged along the river.
The best way it seems to enjoy fishing along the river is by boat.
Over the weekend and on Monday a number of fishing boats patrolled the area south of the railway viaduct.
With the weather being to rough on Lake Ontario, a number of boats found the river to be the best area.
Two anglers managed to paddle up to the area of the Ganaraska River by the library on Monday, September 7, 2020 and seemed to test authorities.
The anglers had the canoe on shore and were fishing for salmon near it. Three Port Hope Police officers investigated the incident, but did not charge either of the anglers.
Port Hope Police Sgt. Matt Lawrence stated, “there is no bylaw that says you can’t access the river by means other than a park.”
The men apparently launched the canoe from the boat launch and paddled upstream. Along with fishing rods, they had a camera to document their interaction with authorities.
Then shortly before 5 p.m. a number of people were caught fishing in the sanctuary north of Molson Street. They were given a warning as police had to attend a priority call.
When they came back to check the area, a family from the Toronto area was spotted just leaving the fenced of parking lot by Corbett’s dam fish ladder.
The family including husband, wife and two children were given one ticket for $180.
Municipality of Port Hope Council Approves Temporary Closure of Municipal Lands Bordering the Ganaraska River
At their regular meeting on September 1, 2020, Council authorized the temporary closure of all lands and parks, under ownership of the Municipality, that border the Ganaraska River, effective September 2, 2020 until October 15, 2020, in an effort to limit group gatherings during the annual salmon migration while the global pandemic is ongoing. This closure includes all green spaces and trails from Molson Street South to Lake Ontario and prevents access to the River through municipal properties.
“After a lengthy community consultation, it was clear that most residents who shared their comments and feedback with Council preferred the option to restrict access to the River in response to the ongoing global pandemic,” explains Bob Sanderson, Mayor of the Municipality of Port Hope. “While temporarily restricting municipal land is not a common practice, it is a measure that we have taken to reduce the anticipated number of residents, tourists, and anglers from gathering in and along the Ganaraska River during the annual salmon migration. From experience we know that our annual salmon migration attracts thousands of people from far and wide. This year, we must remain vigilant in our efforts to stop the spread of COVID-19.”
Municipal staff have installed temporary fencing, barricades, and signage along the River’s path to alert residents and visitors of the new land use restrictions in place. Unfortunately, these properties include the closure of the Municipality’s trail network along the River, except for the Waterfront Trail. Access to the Fishway (also known as the Fish Ladder and/or Corbett’s Dam) is also closed.
The municipal boat launch and the parking lots located immediately north and south of the fish cleaning station and the parking lot at Riverside Park are exempted from the closure and remain open.
“In the last six months, we have endured a great deal of upset and disappointment over the shuttering of businesses, restriction of travel, closures of beaches and so much more,” continues Mayor Sanderson. “Given all of the other restrictions and closures in our community, this closure is understandably difficult; however, it is necessary to discourage non-essential travel to our Municipality and large group gatherings along the River.”
The Ganaraska Region Conservation Authority has also closed off access to their properties, including Ganaraska Millennium, Port Hope, Sylvan Glen and Thurne Parks Conservation Areas until October 1, 2020.
Questions about the land use restrictions may be directed to Jim McCormack, Director of Parks, Recreation, and Culture for the Municipality of Port Hope at jmccormack@porthope.ca
Author: Pete Fisher
Has been a photojournalist for over 30-years and have been honoured to win numerous awards for photography and writing over the years. Best selling author for the book Highway of Heroes - True Patriot Love
