New gate means no permanent shacks at popular N.B. ice fishing location

Rothesay, N.B., is blocking solid ice fishing shacks at Renworth Wharf.

Each winter, ice fishing huts would make their way onto the fishing grounds just off Renforth Beach in Rothesay, N.B., as people looked for smelt and hake on the Kennebecasis River.

This year things have been much quieter because the municipality has installed a gate at the water access to bar trucks and ATVs trying to tow permanent fishing huts onto the river.

“Over the years we’ve seen a lot of transitioning from the hard shacks into more of the tents, and then we were having a lot of issues with the hard shacks,” says Rothesay Deputy Mayor Matt Alexander. “Some people were putting them on too early, so they were sinking through the ice, or they left them in place, and they sink at the end of the season.”

Alexander says it was a difficult decision to erect the gate but says it was necessary to protect the public, infrastructure and the environment.

He notes the fishing community used to have an association, but it dissolved about a decade ago. He says last winter some local fishers worked with the town and various government departments to try and find a resolution, but after many talks the town elected to build the gate.

“Online right now, you’ll see a lot of comments of people really upset and directing their anger towards town council over this,” says Alexander. “But we would see those similar comments at the end of the season, residents really angry and upset with the amount of debris that was left behind on the ice. So, we’re trying to provide a balance.”

Jack Ross is the owner of Kennebecasis Ice Adventures, a guided ice fishing experience that provides pop-up huts and gear for those interested in casting a line regardless of their experience level.

He says the demand for services like his has been very high this year under the new rules at the fishing grounds.

“From a business standpoint it has kept me busy, but I don’t really agree with the town,” says Ross. “For the last decade everyone’s had their shacks out here, so I don’t feel it is fair to everyone.

“Now it’s kind of like a ghost town for the most part.”

As someone who grew up fishing at the wharf each winter, he is hopeful to see the town change its tune on the shack decision.

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