Here are some questions we’ve been receiving with the corresponding answers.
Let us know if there is anything else you feel should be on this page. Contact us: HERE
Frequent questions we received:
IN CASE OF A FOREST FIRE EMERGENCY HOTLINE: 819-449-4271
BEST NATURAL DISASTER INFORMATION CAN BE FOUND IN THE MUNICIPALITY OF DENHOLM click here: http://www.denholm.ca/index.php/en/community/emergency-mesures
URGENCE QUÉBEC: PLEASE FOLLOW THIS LINK IN CASE OF A MAJOR FLOOD, DAM RUPTURE, FOREST FIRE, EXTREME WEATHER ETC: https://www.urgencequebec.gouv.qc.ca/En/Pages/documentation.aspx
Could you explain to me the difference between the associations that exist in the southern portion of the lake?
The answer is provided by Ronald Thomas. He is the founding member of the « Association des Propriétaires de la Baie Newton »…
Several people ask me if it is really necessary to have three local associations. In order to answer this question we have to to identify them and know their different roles.
There are three different local associations in the southern portion of our lake
- L’Association bassin versant du Poisson-Blanc (The Poisson Blanc Watershed Association) which is the Association of all the lakes in the watershed of the Poisson Blanc;
- Newton Bay Association (Association de la baie Newton);
- L’Association des propriétaires de la baie Newton (“The Newton Bay Owners Association”)
The « A.B.V. du Poisson-Blanc » or the Poisson Blanc Watershed Association
This association is for all owners of Newton Bay but also for all the owners on Lac du Poisson-Blanc, from Notre-Dame-du-Laus to Bowman, including also, users of lakes du Brochet and Newton. It is a lake association as there are hundreds in Quebec that seeks to protect and defend the interests of its members while ensuring that the fauna and ecology of the lake are protected. The association aims is to promote self-help partnerships between all users our lakes. As such, she is called upon to represent you at the municipalities, governments of various levels and organizations such as COBALI and the « Regroupement pour la protection de l’eau de la vallée de la Gatineau » (Gatineau Valley Conservation Group).
The « Association bassin versant du Poisson-Blanc » defines its action among other things by its committees of volunteer members such as:
- Buoy Security & Milfoil Committee
- Social Events Committee
- Environment Committee
- The Isles Guardian Angels Committee
- Other committees (ex: photos & history)
The Newton Bay Parking Association:
This association is a grouping of owners of a parking lot with a wharf in Newton Bay. The land in question is accessible by the Chemin du Grand Poisson-Blanc. Indeed, several long – standing properties scattered around the bay also have a joint ownership on this parking lot, given that not long ago there was no road access, the owners use a boat to get to their property. Their role is therefore the management and operation of this parking lot.
The « Association des Propriétaires de la Baie Newton » or the Newton Bay Owners Association:
The purpose of the APBN is to promote improved road access for the Newton Bay properties south, east and north of the bay. (Owners west of the bay and by the Gatineau creek are served by the Chemin du Grand Poisson-Blanc open and maintained year-round). Currently the founders of this association have decided to put the legal registration process on hold and join forces with the « A.B.V. du Poisson-Blanc » to promote the need to improve access to various government bodies. This association is waiting to see the upcoming developments and the proposals from the MRC and the municipality of Lac Sainte Marie on the subject.
The founders will follow up the process of legal foundation of this association only if it is required as a proposed improvement by the MRC and the Municipality. For example, if the solution chosen requires the recurrent collection of funds from the owners or the receipt of municipal subsidies (return of taxes) devoted to the management and maintenance of current or future road accesses.
In its current form, APBN serves as a means of information and networking among the concerned owners via its Facebook site.
In conclusion….
There is therefore no competition between these three associations and depending on the location of your property you may well have interests with each of them. However, it is true that there is one association among these three which plays the role of common denominator and it is the « AP du lac Poisson-Blanc » (Association of Owners of the Lac du Poisson-Blanc). Whether it’s for environmental, ecology, water-related issues, water safety, peace of mind, water quality, for a variety of reasons, we all have an interest in this association be strong and representative.
I don’t have access to my property by road in the LSM sector.
Maybe the Newton Bay Association Inc. could help! Not to get confuse, this is not the «A.B.V. du Poisson Blanc». You can contact them by mail only so send them your request or questions to: Newton Bay Association Inc, 30 ch Kelly Newton, Lac-Sainte-Marie, Québec J0X 1Z0
At the southern end of the lake. Do you know of any parking lots/areas where we can park our cars for a couple of days while camping ?
For access to Lac Vert. Pass the wooden bridge (about 4 km), there is an old parking lot (including a waste bin) but this site is partially abandoned by LSM except for waste management occasionally. Therefore, we suggest that you use the parking lot provided for Lac Vert via Chemin du Pémichongan. Please do not park your car on the Grand-Poisson-Blanc road because you risk a fine.
For access to Poisson Blanc lake, at the end of Newton bay (Montée Jean-Marc) there is a municipal boat launch with parking spaces. Finally, in the Bowman sector, there is a boat launch with long-term parking which is managed by the Air-Eau-Bois outdoor center 819-457-4040. PLEASE BEFORE LEAVING, CHECK WITH THE OUTDOOR BASE ON THE CURRENT SITUATION ON THE ISLANDS ALSO CONCERNING OPEN PIT FIRES !
I was recently at a beach in the Gatineau Park and was warned about the cercaria larva that have been causing swimmer’s itch in that area. Do you any information regarding swimmer’s itch on the lake ?
As far as we are aware, we have not heard of swimmer’s itch in Lac Poisson Blanc. We don’t seem to have had any troubles other than the horse and deer flies that love wet tender flesh.
We are a group of approximately 8 people hoping for a camp outing. Is Lac Poisson Blanc a good site for our needs ?
Unfortunately, we as a association have no such facilities available. You may contact the Poisson Blanc Regional Park (1-866-707-2999) or click: http://www.poissonblanc.org which is responsible of renting camping sites on the islands.
I used to camp on your lake but have heard that we are no longer allowed to camp freely on the islands, could you please clarify this for me ?
As the natural environment on the islands was degrading and also because of vandalism on different sites the Poisson Blanc Regional Park was created. They are the one who manages the different camping sites in the northern section of our lake. All mark camping sites have to be reserved and paid in advance now. There is some free camping sites in the southern portion of the lake used by the “Base de plein air Air-Eau-Bois” and some that are monitored by our members (in orange).
Is there Internet access available at the lake ?
Yes, but you have to use a satellite dish. Many of the residents are using «Xplornet» as their internet provider. Cellular services are reliable if you are with Bell or its affiliates.
Where is the place on the lake where there are sand beaches ?
Yes, if you look on a map of the lake and you will see a place name the Sandbar. It is just after l’île Verte (Green Island).
How do we access the lake if we have a motor boat ?
PLEASE, BEFORE PUTTING YOUR BOAT IN THE LAKE!!
There are four places where you can launch your boat on the lake:
- Public boat launch with parking ($) in the municipality of Bowman. Just follow «Base de plein-air AIR-EAU-BOIS» signs and you will see indications
- Public boat launch (with parking) via the Trans-Outaouaisat & by ch de la Solitude/Montée Jean-Marc. Some people complain that it is complicated to take your boat in or out
- Public boat launch at lac Campion in the municipality of Notre-Dame-de-Laus also at the Parc régional Poisson Blanc site
- Some residents or cottage owners have their own boat launch.
What is the purpose of this sign?
It tells you that the owner of that property has erosion problems cause by waves. Please keep away or control your waves while passing by.
Could you suggest to me where to go for fishing ?
Everybody has his secret spot so it’s a SECRET but this map from the Québec Tourism Office could help you…
Is there seeding in lake Poisson Blanc?
Yes the Québec government proceeded with seeding and the fertilization of spawned eggs from Pope Lake. However, in 2017 we carried out the harvesting and artificial fertilization with the trout stock of the lake Poisson Blanc.
For the next few years we plan continuing lake trout seeding. However, the size limit remains the same: the lake trout should be less than 55 centimetres. Don’t forget that Poisson Blanc is a reservoir. Many fishs don’t survive the winter months when the water level is low.
With respect to Ouananiche, it is completely inappropriate to introduce this species given the negative interactions with lake trout. The project is also doomed to failure. This is due to the presence of walleye, which uses the same spawning habitat as the ouananiche. Therefore, it is prohibited to do this type of seeding under section 14 of the Aquaculture and fish sales regulations of the Wildlife Conservation and Development Act: the species of fish that one would like to conserve must already be present in the lake.
At Newton lake the property owners didn’t want seeding since they didn’t want any unwelcome visitors on their lake.
