Just a note that due to scheduling and sponsorship the inaugural Georgetown Shores Triathlon has now been scheduled for July 2014. Stay tuned for more information and let us know if you are willing to volunteer.
Triathlon Update
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Category Archives: Recreation
The one that did not get away
At our recent Annual Meeting for the residents, we had the privilege to see the evidence of the “one that did not get away”. The photo below was caught by one of our younger residents and proudly displayed by his family.
We hope this will not detour the swimming in the lake this summer. I am sure that this guy’s big brother is not still in the lake.
Thanks Max for showing your big fish.
-rap
Proposed Georgetown Shores Triathlon
The Association has also been approached by the promoters of the Grand Rapids Triathlon requesting to have Georgetown Shores host an Olympic and a Sprint distance race using both East GS and West GS lakes on the morning of Saturday, July 28th.
The event would be based just north of the boat launch parking lot and they would take care of all insurance planning and administration. They are asking some residents to step forward to volunteer to man aid stations or other tasks. They are also proposing the placement of a tent for the event along with some family friendly fun activities at the site. (moon walk and other family fun). We are looking into having a Community wide cook out for the afternoon and evening of the 28th. We are looking for some residents who are willing to help for the Triathlon (In the morning) and also some residents who would like to help plan the Residents Cook Out (for the afternoon). Please contact us if you are interested in helping.
More information will be forthcoming via this web site and e-mail, and the promoters will be joining us at our meeting on April 14th to discuss their events and address questions.
Resident Only Fishing
GS Residents,
There are many ice fishermen out on the ice recently and it is nice that our residents can go out and fish during these winter months. However there are reports that some of the fishermen do not live here and are just parking on the streets and walking out on the lake.
A number of residents spent substantial money stocking the lake with fish over the past number of years and the most recent planting was just this past October. A delivery of 455 walleyes were delivered and planted in the lake for all of us residents. These fish need to get a chance to grow so please return them if you catch one but also they are placed in the lake for the fun and enjoyment of the residents and close friends, not everyone who decides they want to fish here.
We want to encourage you if you see those from outside to either talk to them nicely and tell them that this is a private lake or at least attach this document to their vehicle.
Thank you.
Here is a sign for you to use if you like: private-property-no-public-fishing
Fishing Update 2010
We’re at the end of another great season of life on the lake and I would like to take a moment to let you know where I think the fishing situation is on our lake. The last update was from last spring and some things have changed, but for the most part the fishery is doing great.
One big change this summer has been the number and size of the Northern Pike. Last spring the pike numbers had been fairly low and the sizes were small. This year the pike are twice as big and there seem to be a lot more off them. I’ve personally caught them up to 30 inches. I believe that with the mix of species we have in our lake this should not cause a problem except to the anglers who lose baits from being bitten off.
As far as bait fish go the minnows are in full force. Lots of baby bluegills, big balls of baby shad, and I’ve also seen pods of baby bullhead. These are all great sources of food for the bass, pike, and walleye. In 2004 we stocked fathead minnows for forge along with the walleyes but with the amount of baby fish we have now I don’t see the need in having to buy more minnows.
There may have been some confusion from the last update as far as the Catch and Release suggestion went. As a general rule bass are usually considered a Catch and Release species for the reason that they’re not very good to eat but they are fun to catch. Returning them is just a way of giving others a chance to enjoy the thrill of catching them. For walleye, as long as they are over 15 inches, they’re legal to keep. All the walleye we planted in 2004 should be well above this length and ready for the skillet.
Another change I’ve witnessed is the catch rate of the walleye is dying down. I believe that the walleyes that were planted in 2004 have done extremely well over the years and our lake is suited well to sustain these fish. The issue with stocking walleyes is that reproduction in lakes with sandy bottoms and no current is minimal at best. I’ve been in touch with Stoney Creek Fisheries in Grant and explained our lake and our fishery to them. They say that most lakes that they deal with do an every other year stocking to keep the walleye numbers stable. I would like to start an every other year stocking this fall. If we can raise money and get our order in before the end of the month, then we can have a planting around the end of October. The fall is the only time that they recommend planting walleye, so if not this year then we’d have to wait until next fall.
The money we use to buy the fish is going to have to be donated as it was the first time we did it in 2004. The walleyes are 6-9 inches and cost $2.40 a piece. The number of walleye we plant will obviously depend on the amount of money raised. A good range would be anywhere from 150 to 300 fish. Any extra money raised could be set aside for further plantings. Anyone willing to donate can drop off money to Jason Engstrom or me, Scott VanderVeen by Sunday, Sept 26. I’ll be making the order on that Monday to ensure delivery this year. Any questions feel free to contact me.
Scott VanderVeen 5663 18th ave 889-4502
Jason Engstrom 6068 16th ave 890-8818