Our mission is to work collaboratively with all interested and invested parties to ensure the Hoople Creek / Hoople Bay Fishery remains healthy, well managed and available to all stakeholders for recreational purposes.
- Walleye Spawn Review of 2023
- Water Levels Spring/Summer of 2023
- Nature Trails Around North Side of Hoople Bay
- Proposed Partnership with First Nations Group
- Proposed Community Hatchery
- Next General Meeting
Walleye Spawn Review, 2023
We continued to monitor the spawning beds on Hoople Creek closely during this years spawn. We were able to observe a few fish in the creek. However, there was no where near the glory years of the late 1900’s. Our cameras did observe some people harvesting fish with spears and we assumed they were First Nations people. We also identified some fish as being skinned on site with the skins left behind. We assumed this was simply a convenient way of transporting the fish and hopefully not a means of preventing identification by enforcement authorities.
Water Levels in Hoople Bay – Spring/Summer 2023
This year we have witnessed more consistent water levels in our bay and creek, no doubt in part because of the wet spring and ample rainfall.
The above chart is from the International Joint Commission website and reflects some significant variations as they try to control the water levels above and below the Lake St. Lawrence. We have also observed very strong currents in the main river. It was reported to us that the gates at Iroquois control dam are wide open and the ships do not have to stop as water levels are the same on both sides of the Lock! This is a rare anomaly and signifies a change in policy somewhere. There is also very strong current at the Long Sault Dam with gates wide open and we observed the river was drawing heavy at Cornwall, meaning their gates must also be open wide.
It would appear the International Joint Commission is using the weather predictions to adjust the flow rates accordingly. While we do not claim to be experts in weather prediction, the following two news releases dated a week apart sure seem to support the significant variations in flow rates!
Nature Trails Around North Side of Hoople Bay
We have been making efforts to resurrect the old trails that surrounded the north side of Hoople Bay and included viewing stations and rest areas. In the late 1900’s these trails were used by nature lovers and bird watchers but have since been neglected and have become overgrown. We are in discussions with numerous stakeholders as orchestrated by the Ministry of Natural Resources as we strive to get these trails refurbished. There is a potential developing conflict with several hunting groups as they would prefer to see enhanced hunter access.
One of our Directors Jack Sliter went out and took some photos to share with that group that depict the old trail sign and some of the benches and viewing areas. These trails wound around several small ponds and are home to all types of waterfowl and wildlife.
Proposed Partnership with First Nations Group
We have yet to identify a potential partner from the Akwesasne First Nation to work with us in our Walleye restocking efforts. While we have identified several groups willing to provide us with fingerlings however we have been unable to secure the support from key stakeholders such as the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forests and the Akwesasne First Nation. Any / All assistance from our membership in identifying a candidate from Akwesasne to sit on our Board of Directors would be appreciated.
Proposed Community Hatchery
Our Society remains committed to seeking the establishing of a Community Hatchery along the traditional Walleye spawning grounds. Our dream is to build a formal hatchery that would allow School children and other interested groups to learn of the life cycle for all fish using the creek to spawn. An information booklet on the Community Hatchery Program can be viewed here: http://www.communityhatcheries.com/
Next General Meeting
We will be setting a date for our Fall annual general meeting soon and hope to be positioned to report on the above activities in more detail at that time.
John Sliter, President
Friends of Hoople Creek Society
Friends of Hoople Creek 
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