Parks Canada bans watercraft on Clear Lake this season as zebra mussel testing continues

Most watercraft will be banned from Clear Lake this season as Parks Canada continues to test the water for zebra mussels.

A clump of the invasive species were discovered at the lake in November, leading to water testing over the winter. The testing didn’t detect any zebra mussel DNA, but no chances are being taken.

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Parks Canada says motorized boats and human-powered vessels like canoes, kayaks, and stand-up paddle boards won’t be allowed on the lake until testing is complete.

“This decision is informed by the best available science and Indigenous Knowledge and provides the best opportunity to battle a likely invasion of zebra mussels,” says a Parks Canada statement released on Thursday.

There will be three exceptions to the ban: The Martese commercial tour boat, a vessel from the Keeseekoowenin Ojibway First Nation, and Parks Canada boats and vessels will still be allowed on the water.

Swimming, fishing from shore, and personal inflatables will also still be allowed.

Dameon Wall with Parks Canada, said the new rules may not be in place for the entire season, but that largely depends on how established the zebra mussels are.

“Once zebra mussels become established in a water body, they’re virtually impossible to get rid of. We have a very small window of opportunity right now. We may actually be able to eradicate the population. We need to find it first, and then we need to determine if that’s feasible,” he said.

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Karly McRae, a lifelong Clear Lake user and owner of Lakehouse Properties, a boutique hotel in Wasagaming, says there are major concern over the implications of this move.

“Just the rumour of it has already caused cancellations in our community with local accommodations, local contractors, businesses,” McRae said.  “The impact is going to be multi, multi-millions of dollars and is going to be devastating for those of us who have poured our life’s work into this community and into providing jobs for local people.”

The maximum penalty for launching a prohibited watercraft is $25,000, according to Parks Canada.

McRae worries that this will set a precedent for similar situations if they happen.

“What happens when we have a zebra mussel scare at Falcon Lake or Lake of the Woods? Many other tourist destinations like ours depend on the industry for their vitality and livelihood.”

While she is heartbroken, McRae said she is also hopeful.

“This is an opportunity for the community, Parks Canada, different levels of government (and) other stakeholders to come together to find a proactive, long-term solution,” she said.

For cottager Doug Paterson, the decision means his pontoon boat will be staying on the trailer this season. But, he said there are a couple of ways to look at the ban.

“I’m sort of in the middle, because Parks Canada is damned if they do, and damned if they don’t. People are saying ‘We’re going to lose jobs, we’re going to lose property value.’ But we’d probably lose that stuff anyway if we allowed these zebra mussels to come in,” he said.

–with files from Global’s Marney Blunt

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