Readiness is the key to safety. Please print and post this page at your cottage in a visible location. Inform any guests, visitors and renters of this information during your orientation.
Please remember, you are responsibility for your own safety and well being. Assess your surroundings and determine conditions before engaging in any activities on the lake.
Emergency / Critical Phone Numbers
| Contact | Phone Number |
| Emergency (OPP, Fire, Forest Fire, Bear, Ambulance) | 911 |
| Crime Stoppers | 1-800-222-TIPS (1-800-222-8477) |
| Fire | Non-Emergency: (705) 656-4445 |
| OPP | Non-Emergency: 1-888-310-1122 1-888-310-1133 TTY |
| Ambulance | 1-800-461-3898 |
| Apsley Medical Centre | (705) 656-4281 |
| Hospital for Sick Children | (416) 813-1500 |
| Peterborough Family Health Team | (705) 651-4866 |
| Peterborough Regional Health Centre | (705) 743-2121 |
| Poison Info Centre | 1-800-268-9017 |
| Quinte Health Centre (QHC) Bancroft | (613) 332-2825 |
| Township Office | (705) 656-4445 |
| Bear sightings | Non-Emergency: 1-866-514-2327 |
| Hydro One | 1-800-434-1235 |
| Firearms Violations – Conservation Officer | 1-877-847-7667 |
Water Safety
Take a First Aid / CPR course. It could save a life.
Play safe in the water. For reference material on water safety, go to lifesavingsociety.com/water-safety.aspx.
Boating
You are responsible as a boater to understand and adhere to boating rules and regulations, and to assess boating conditions.
- Canada requires some boats to be licensed. You need to check if this applies to you.
- Canada requires all operators of pleasure craft to show proof of competency.
- Canada has horsepower restrictions for youth. You need to check if this applies to you.
- Note Loon Call Lake is a very rocky lake. Not all rocks are marked. The water level can also go up and down over a foot so rocks not visible this week could be a problem next week.
- Be respectful of swimmers, kayakers, canoeists, etc. be aware of your wake and give them a wide berth.
- Stay as far away as possible from docks so as not to have your wake swamp the dock.
- Respect other cottagers and do not use their docks or shoreline.
Informative links:
- Transport Canada – Go to the Marine section on Pleasure Craft licences, Operation Competency programs and Safe Boating Guide
- FOCA Boating Safety tips including OPP Boat Notes
- Safe Quiet Lakes
- Boating Ontario
- Trent Severn Events
- Pulling a Trailer
- Boating Info & Tips
- Boater Exam
Recreational Vehicles
It is your responsibility to understand and follow North Kawartha By-Laws and Ontario Ministry laws, rules and regulations when operating a recreational vehicle, whether riding on your own private property on in public permitted areas. Respect other cottagers and vehicles wherever you travel.
Informative links:
- ATV and ORV Laws in Ontario
- ATV and ORV By-laws in North Kawartha
- Ontario Ministry of Transportation Driver’s Handbook which covers operations of ATV, ORV and Snowmobiles under the Off-road Vehicles section
Fire Safety
Fire permits are required for cottagers that wish to have campfires or brush fires. These permits can be obtained online or in person at various locations. All the rules and regulations are on the printed permit. Every once in a while, when there is a severe drought, a fire ban will be issued. The fire ban will be advertised on the radio, with a sign on the Anstruther Lake Road, and on the township website. You can also subscribe to get email notification of fire bans by going to northkawartha.ca/en/our-community/fire-bans.aspx.
Fireworks are banned in the Park.
Fire permits are available online at northkawartha.ca/en/our-services/burn-permit.aspx.
Fire permits are available in person at the following locations.
- Woodview General Store, 6220 Highway 28, Woodview
- Anstruther Marina, FR 63, Anstruther Lake
- Municipal Office, 280 Burleigh Street, Apsley
Use all fire prevention procedures at the cottage that you use at home. E.g. fire detectors, CO detectors, fire extinguishers and a fire safety plan.
Informative Links:
Bear Safety
We share Loon Call Lake with the bears. It is important that you not invite bears to your cottage, and if you encounter a bear that you know what to do.
- Do not attract bears: Do not leave food, food waste, barbeques, scented items, bird feeders outdoors.
- Prepare: Take a whistle and bell when walking in cottage country. Review safety measures.
- If you encounter a black bear: Stop. Do not panic. Remain calm. Slowly back away keeping the bear in sight. Make noise with whistle or bell.
- If you would like to report a bear problem, call 1-866-514-2327.
- In a life-threatening emergency, call 911.
Informative links with detailed information can be found here…. be prepared by making this material available at your cottage:
Fireworks are prohibited
Since we are in a provincial park, you need to be aware of the rules. “Possession or use of fireworks is prohibited in provincial parks at all times. They constitute a fire hazard and disturb visitors and wildlife who wish to enjoy the park in a peaceful manner.” The full set of rules can be found here: ontarioparks.com/park/www.blueflag.ca/rules
| Firework | Minimum Fine |
|---|---|
| Possess fireworks | $100.00 |
| Ignite fireworks | $150.00 |
Firearms Regulations and Limitations
It has been noted that individuals are discharging firearms in the Park. The regulations that cover firearms in the park, for those of you who are not aware, is summarized below:
Section 9(2) of the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act, 1997 (https://www.ontario.ca/laws/statute/97f41) states “A person shall not possess in a provincial park or Crown reserve a firearm, trap, other hunting or trapping device or explosive.”
Section 9(3) says that there are exceptions. Since hunting is allowed in the Kawartha Highlands Park, the exceptions apply.
The complete rules re firearms, with the exceptions, can be found in Regulation 347 made under the Provincial Parks Conservation Reserves Act (https://www.ontario.ca/laws/regulation/070347). This can also be found at O. Reg. 347/07.
| Firearms 35. No person shall use or display a firearm in a provincial park other than, a) a peace officer in the lawful execution of his or her duties, b) an employee in the Ministry or an agent of the Ministry for the purpose of wildlife management and control, c) a person lawfully hunting under the authority of 9(3) of the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act, 1997, d) a person authorized by the superintendent to use a firearm in a provincial park |
From the Regulations, section 35: Suspected firearms violations can be reported to 1-877-847-7667, which is the Conservation Officer tip line if you think it is necessary. It is not a good idea to investigate gun fire yourself.
Hunting Season
For your awareness, Hunting Open season (rifles and shotguns) in and around Looncall Lake
| Target | Dates |
|---|---|
| Turkey | April 25- May 31 |
| Bear | May 1- June 15 and September 1- November 30 |
| Ruffed Grouse | September 15- December 31 |
| Rabbit/Hare | September 15- March 31 |
| Migratory birds (ducks) | September 19- December 31 |
| Moose | October 18- 24 |
| Deer | November 1- 14 |
Our lake, and surrounding area are in Wildlife Management Unit 60 in the Ontario Hunting Regulations document. This is a quick glimpse of the open seasons for different species. Predominately and historically, there are a number of hunt clubs or hunt camps in the area, some of which have been in families for over 100 years. The most common time to see hunters in and around Looncall is during the moose and deer hunting seasons. You may also see the occasional hunter walking trails for grouse in the fall or around ponds, hunting ducks.
Reference: files.ontario.ca/books/mnrf-hunting-regulations-summary-en-2020-04-21.pdf