As a passionate angler, guide, and someone who works closely with the Lac Massawippi Conservation Club, I’ve noticed that North Hatley has been missing out on significant economic benefits related to fishing activities for many years.
This is especially true in the spring, as Lac Massawippi is one of the first accessible lakes at that time of year. In addition, lake trout (lake char) season opens very early, near the end of April, which happens to be low season for many villages, including North Hatley.
Unfortunately, the management of the public boat launch is ineffective, particularly during the opening of fishing season. My angler friends and North Hatley residents can confirm this: every year, we have to race to get the launch opened in time to put our boats on the water before the season officially begins. It’s hard to understand, because for an angler, opening day is more exciting than Christmas Eve — it’s the most anticipated moment of the year.
Because we constantly had to chase for the gate to be opened, most anglers eventually turned to Ayer’s Cliff, both for opening weekend and throughout the rest of the season. In the spring, the difference is striking: the parking lot at Parc de la Rivière in North Hatley is empty, while Ayer’s Cliff is packed full.
Ayer’s Cliff clearly understood the economic potential and benefits from heavy visitor traffic during the first weeks of the fishing season, and then again throughout the summer. This year, I took pictures: not a single car in North Hatley, while about a hundred vehicles were parked in Ayer’s Cliff. Even the Lac Massawippi Conservation Club now holds all its events on the Ayer’s Cliff side.
Even with the efficiency of Ayer’s Cliff, it’s important to remember that anglers must have lake access at sunrise and return after sunset. In real terms, this means launching before 6:00 a.m. and hauling out after 9:00 p.m. This is a major challenge for municipalities, combined with a financial burden. That is why self-serve boat wash stations are becoming essential.
Boat anglers are a very profitable clientele, yet they are now almost completely absent from North Hatley. To make matters worse, there is no longer a gas station in the village. For an angler, it is therefore far more convenient to head to Ayer’s Cliff, where they will find fuel, groceries, restaurants, and — most importantly — a boat ramp ready for the lake trout season opener.
The economic benefits go far beyond parking fees, launch access, and wash stations. These anglers book accommodations, eat at restaurants, buy groceries, and prepare meals for their days on the lake. Each year, around thirty of us gather for opening weekend, and we always end our evenings at Pub Vilandré, preparing our lunches thanks to Lebaron. We also warm up with a coffee break at Mercantile.
These anglers come from all over Québec. Sadly, American fishing tourism has dropped dramatically — if not disappeared — over the last decade. However, thanks to the work of the Conservation Club, which successfully stocked 5,000 rainbow trout this year, we can hope for a gradual return of this clientele in the coming years. Obviously, they will continue going to Ayer’s Cliff unless North Hatley improves its fishing-focused amenities and tourism offer.
Perhaps a dedicated tourism strategy for anglers should be part of North Hatley’s long-term vision. We must remember that Québec has 695,000 licensed anglers. It is also worth noting that Ripplecove originally started as a fishing lodge, founded in 1945, where people came to fish, relax, and celebrate — a high-end destination popular with Americans. Reference
And the best thing about anglers?
They don’t make waves!
