Wollaston Lake Home & Cottage Association


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Water

  • About Our Lake

      Wollaston Lake is approximately 4 miles, 897 acres in size with a maximum depth of 31.1 metres and a mean depth of 9.4 metres. There are 201 properties on the lake and 10% is crown land. The lake is considered ‘not sensitive’ to acid rain and is ranked as a ‘5’ – the least sensitive rating. The nearest hamlet is Coe Hill and closest major centre is Bancroft.  

  • Water Sampling Program

      Each year the WLHCA Lake Steward conducts twice-yearly water quality sampling so as to monitor the health of our water quality. The sampling is aimed at detecting levels of phosphorous, which, if present in large quantity, produces excessive plant growth. When this growth decays, it consumes oxygen that fish need to live. Excessive plant growth also interferes with recreational activities such as swimming, fishing and boating. Results of our yearly sampling can be obtained by attending the WLHCA Annual Meeting held each August or by contacting our Lake Steward, Steve Neville, at asneville@primus.ca  

  • Our Fish Species

      Our lake contains a number of sportfish species which are native to our lake (ie. not introduced). These include: lake trout, largemouth and small bass. The lake now does contain pike but they are not native to the lake and appear to have been introduced without consent by the MNR. Also native to the lake are a variety of panfish including sunfish, rock bass and a small population of perch. Our lake trout population are all ‘native’ with no stocked or clipped fish thus please respect and protect this fragile, slow-growing fish species. 

       There are certain limits to the fishing season (ie. when you can legally fish for certain species such as trout and bass) and they are contained in the following word document. Our lake is in zone 15. Please remember to have a valid fishing license at all times. Your browser may not support display of this image.  

  • Lake Trout Assessment Program – 2008 Study Results

       We are very pleased to announce that Wollaston Lake was assessed in September 2008 by the MNR and found to contain a healthy population of native lake trout. In order to protect our cold-water status lake, we will actively work with the MNR to ensure the trout do not show declines or suffer from adverse water quality issues. 

  • North Hastings Fish Hatchery

       We look forward to following the progress of a local fish hatchery in Bancroft which is now operational. The NHFH is actively engaged in harvesting and replenishing local lake trout species through their various stocking programs. To learn more about this MNR supported organization, visit their website at http://www.fishhatchery.ca/ Each year this organization hosts a fundraiser, typically in July, which features a silent auction, entertainment and a pig/lamb roast dinner.  

  • Invading Species

       When we introduce non-native species of fish into our fragile eco-system, unhealthy balances occur which can be disruptive or fatal to existing species. Many lakes just south of us in the Kawartha Lakes region have suffered from major infestations of invading species such as zebra mussels which can destroy fish weed cover/algae thus eliminating or reducing certain fish species, clog water lines and prove dangerous for swimmers due to the sharpness of their shells. 

      One way we can all help is by ensuring that the boats that we launch into our lake – either our own or the boats of visitors from other water bodies – are vigorously scubbed to remove any and all boat algae or grime that could contain invading species. More specifically, here are steps you can follow to effectively limit invading species from taking up residence in our lake: 

  • drain water from the motor, live well, bilge and transom wells immediately after leaving the water

  • or, rinse your boat and any equipment with hot tap water

  • bait buckets should be emptied on land and NEVER dumped back into the lake


      In 2009, we participated in an Ontario Federation of Anglers program called the ‘Invading Species Watch’ program.  We took samples in July and expect our results sometime in November 2009. Once received, we will provide an update on the website. 

If you think you may have seen an invading species on our lake, please call the Invading Species Hotline at 1-800-563-7711. 

  • Crowe Valley Conservation Authority

        Water levels on Wollaston Lake are monitored and controlled by the CVCA which have a mandate to address the following: 

  • carry out flood plan management

  • maintain water levels

  • establish outdoor recreation areas

  • promote forest management and encourage reforestation

  • promote conservation education

To learn more about them, their web site is http://www.crowevalley.com/ 

Ground Water 

In Wollaston Township, over 90% of the properties are on wells and utilize the well water for the majority of their personal uses including drinking and cooking. This is a very high percentage of reliance on ground water sources and thus requires protection and safeguarding. 

To ensure that your well water is safe for drinking, well water testing is conducted by the North Hastings Health Unit located at 1 Manor Lane, Unit #1, Second Floor, Bancroft. Their web site is www.hpechu.on.ca and once there, select ‘Environmental Health’ then select ‘Water Safety’.

    

 

 

 

 

 

 

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