The most recent update with regard to the Lock 5 Park on Grand Lake is a fantastic one for all anglers, the gate has been re-opened and will remain open until December 15th. Opening the gate has been made possible by local councillor Cathy Deagle Gammon and the Shubenacadie Canal Commission. We as anglers and as responsible users of the Lock 5 Park have made our voices heard and it has resulted in action from our local politicians. Going forward we have to be aware that this park is a privilage, and while we haven’t been blamed for the problems within the park, we are the best stewards of the resource and should remain as vigilant and responsible as we access this area to take advantage of the striped bass fishing that is available on Grand Lake late into the fall season.
Previous posts and media is provided below:
https://www.cbc.ca/player/play/2283403843793
Initial School of Fish Blog Reporting on Closure of Lock 5 Park:
Recent postings on some Facebook Forums have indicated that Lock 5 Park on the south End of Grand Lake is now gated. For those that aren’t aware, Grand Lake has 2 boat launches, one in Oakfield Park, one at Lock 5 park. For as long as I’m aware Oakfield Park has been gated in early October, but Lock 5 Park has always been open. Striped bass fishing on Grand Lake is extremely popular in the early spring and late fall, and Lock 5 Park is typically packed with boats and anglers targeting striped bass in these shoulder seasons as long as there’s still open water to be fished.
Lock 5 Park is operated by the Shubenacadie Canal Commission. They have confirmed that the gates will be closed from October until sometime in the spring. The reason given to me is that the park has seen an increase in vandalism, including fires, graffiti, and illegal dumping, and they do not have the funding to continue to maintain this park for the entire year. While I understand that the vandalism is an issue and it needs to be dealt with, we as anglers are losing out because of activities that very likely have nothing to do with the anglers. Closing of the park for 6 months of the year is likely the easiest solution to their problem, but it’s not the only solution. In order to have any chance of getting access to Lock 5 Park and Grand Lake back we need to make our voices heard, and we need to make as many people as possible aware that this is a resource we are willing to stand up for. Far too many responsible anglers take advantage of this resource to justify losing it as a result of those who have no respect for the park or the community.
If funding for the Shubenacadie Canal Commission is the issue here, these are the people you can contact to make your voices heard:
Shubenacadie Canal Commision: info@shubenacadiecanal.ca
Darrel Samson, MP Sackville-Preston-Chezzetcook: darrell.samson@parl.gc.ca
Hon. Brian Wong, MLA Waverly-Fall River-Beaverbank: brianwongmla@gmail.com
Also, the Provincial Recreational Fishing Advisory Committee (RFAC) Meetings will be held later this year (dates to be announced shortly I’m sure), these are a great opportunity for all anglers to make their voices heard on any issues affecting all fisheries in Nova Scotia, including access to Grand Lake.
Of note, we need all of these groups and individuals to be on our side in any efforts to rectify the issue of access to Grand Lake. We need to approach this as building a team of individuals that all have the same goal. The Shubenacadie Canal Commission does not want to have to close access to their park. The MLA and MP for the area don’t want a park in their ridings to have to be closed. We simply need to make these groups and individuals aware that we are concerned, and give them the motivation to look at other options for dealing with the parks issues without having to close the park.
If anyone has any questions or concerns please let me know, I’m happy to take on any extra efforts if there’s ideas for ways we can further highlight the issue of losing access to Lock 5 Park on Grand Lake.
Ryan Anderson
sofguideservice.ca 
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