Turtle Portage Operating Again (07/05)

FYI to those planning to go to Whitefish for some trout fishing. Dick Moore went up to the portage with a friend yesterday to go across for some laker action and found the back wheels of the cart off the track and jammed stuck on the Sabaskong side of the portage.

I have never been up to the portage, but have been told numerous times that this problem is the result of people letting their boats freespool down the track to the end of the line.

The MNR has very little interest in working on this thing because they receive little to no funding to do it so users need to be very careful that you use it properly so that it doesn't become inoperable for others.

This was the story as of Wednesday, May 12 in the morning.

I will post an update when I can, but may not be the first to hear if/when it gets placed back in working condition.

If anyone has any updates, I'm sure they would be much appreciated.

Portage system was still not operable on May 30 according to a frustrated spotter who was hoping to get over to Whitefish during the Memorial Day Weekend.

He asked me a good question that comes up from time to time.

"Why doesn't a resort or group of resorts get together and take responsibility for the maintenance of the portage?"

This idea had been proposed by MNR, but the problem is that all liability would have to transfer to whoever takes responsibility for the system. That would not smart for any single resort or group of resorts as insurance for that kind of thing would be out of this world.

The best insurance policy for TP is to educate, educate, educate those that use it so that misuse and abuse is kept to a minimum.

The phone number for the Kenora office of the MNR is:

807-468-2501

Please voice your concern with Turtle Portage being inoperable. It is better for frustrated anglers to call and complain. You are the ones paying the licensing fees to fish up here and deserve acccess to all area of the lake without having to trailer boats from area to area because of equipmen issues.

Had a couple people up there two days ago (June 6) and it was still in an inoperable state.

I'll be calling Kenora-MNR tomorrow. They never really have much to say about it except.."we don't get funding to operate and maintain turtle portage anymore."

TBC....

Spoke to someone at MNR today (June 9) at approximately 13:10 and was told that they are aware the portage is out of commission and they sent someone out to assess the situation a couple of days ago.

If they could not get it operating the first time, they would bring back any people/equipment needed to get it done.

No time-line on when it would be back in service.

Hi Justin - Based on your message above I contacted the Ministry as well. They told me it was contracted out to someone and they did not know the timeline when the contractor would fix it? Will be up next Wednesday in the Morson area and was hoping to make a trip up. Appreciate your posts.

Any word on portage lately?
I was hoping to throw the downriggers on the boat this year.

Thanks.

I'll see what I can found out, Nic. Nobody has said they have gone up that way lately.

When you due back?

P.S. Some beat your mark of 55 last year. Hope to get pics up soon.

Thank for checking Justin.
I'll see you tomorrow on the dock at about 3pm. I might just bring the down riggers anyway and check it out.
Can't wait to see those muskie pics! LOW has always been world class when it comes to muskie numbers, but the size restrictions placed on the lake a few years ago has really made it into a trophy lake as well. I think we'll be seeing many more big fish in the next few years.

As of July 5, the portage over to whitefish bay was operating again. Spotters reported what appeared to be a brand new cable on the system and the cart on the rails.

Please use this thing carefully. There should be someone guiding the cable to help ensure it doesn't wrap over itself and get difficult to winch/unwind and never let your rigs freespool down the rails. Nice and easy is the key from what I've been told many times.

I will report any more changes in status as I'm made aware.