Journal Staff
The boat launch in Centennial Park is one of the last municipal facilities still operating in Sarnia.
But it too is closing today.
Adding it to the list of off-limits amenities effective 10 p.m. Tuesday was a “tough” decision and not made lightly, said Sarnia Police Const. John Sottosanti.
“I think it’s an issue of just doing the right thing at this time,” he said.
Sarnia Mayor Mike Bradley said for all those opposed to the move there are others who asked why the boat launch was still open.
“It’s a small sacrifice to make,” he said.
The boat launch at Bridgeview Marina will also close to coincide with the city directive, said marina owner and operator Dave Brown.
Nevertheless, fishing can still be an outlet for residents getting antsy under the ongoing pandemic lockdown. Anglers can still fish from shore, provided they stay at least two metres apart, the city said.
And the walleye fishing so far has been “really, really good,” said Steve Vanderburgt, and avid angler and owner of The Outdoorsman sporting goods store.
“And what else is there to do? (Everyone) is stuck at home.”
Shore fishermen, eager to avoid crossed lines, have long regarded their pastime as a solitary one.
“A fishing rod is the right social distance,” said Vanderburgt with a laugh.
Byron Warwick, 83, said his season is off to a terrific start.
He’s already caught three coho salmon and two rainbow trout from his Corunna dock. He also landed a 14.25-pound (6.48 kg) lake trout in January, an unusual catch for the St. Clair River.
“With the large number of alewives in the river it has attracted some hungry large fish from the lake to their gathering place off Talfourd Creek,” he told The Journal.
Last year was a banner year for walleye, he added, “and it’s predicted to be another banner year this year.”
Like most small businesses, The Outdoorsman in Mitton Village has been closed by the emergency orders. It opened 28 years ago on Easter weekend.
“It’s our peak season, the end of March until mid-June. That’s our Christmas,” Vanderburgt said.
“Now that people are now off, you may as well go fishing.”
He said it was a good decision made earlier to cancel the Bluewater Anglers 44th annual Salmon Derby, which was scheduled from May 1 to 10.
While the launches are closing, there are no local restrictions on the use of boats, kayaks and canoes.
Michigan has prohibited its residents from operating any motorized boat, including jet skis, until April 30. Kayaking, canoeing, sailing, and fishing is still permitted and boat launches were still open in Michigan as of Tuesday.
Meanwhile, waterfront access on the St. Clair Parkway between the Suncor gate and Marlborough Avenue is restricted to Aamjiwnaang residents only after the band closed that stretch of Parkway on April 10.