horse back riding trails in Keene - Stillbrook Riding Stables

For those of you like myself who are in love with horses, when staying with us you will be able to indulge your passion. Stillbrook Riding Stables is less than 10 minutes from us. They have lovely calm horses. You can take a lesson with Jeannine or go for a trail ride through forest and over stunning scenery on their wonderful property over looking Rice Lake. You can take lessons or go on a trail ride no matter what your level of riding is.

Safe Journey and remember to enjoy the ride.

regards Jill

Taking fish home across the border to the U.S.

The weather has been up and down in the past few days. Hopefully, it will settle soon and get down to our long hot summer that has been predicted. However, we have still been getting a lot of daily fishermen who seem to be doing quite well. A fisherman never gives up! Our wonderful U.S. customers are still returning to Whispering Pines and having a good time fishing despite the new regulations. The conservation officers have received high marks from those who have been checked going home. It does prove that if you pack your fish correctly and have your correct fishing license with you, things will go smoothly.

Here is to a great fishing season to all.

Cheers,
Jill and Roger

Fishing on Rice Lake

Hi to all you fishermen out there: The fishing has been great so far this year on Rice Lake. Remember you can rent boats from us. We are busy with daily renters so it is probably a good move to either email us with your request or call us on our toll free number 1-877-295-6850. It usually only takes an hour or so from Toronto to get to our cottage resort on the north side of the lake. A lot of people are still confused about the operators card for driving a boat. You only need that if you own the boat. For daily or weekly renters, Roger or Jeremy will run through a 15 point questionaire which you will sign and take out with you while fishing. There is no fee for this. What is proving very popular for small groups fishing, is our new fishing pontoon. It is much more comfortable as you have your own chair and can move it to either side of the boat. Right now we have a nest of 4 birds living under the roof of one of our pontoons. Roger leaves worms out for the parents and they seem to appreciate it, swooping down and picking up the worms as soon as he moves away. The rain seems to have passed and we are back to lovely sunny weather just a bit cooler which is fine with me. For those of you who use a GPS system, type in Otonabee South Monaghan. our address is 763 Bolin Rd. Keene K0l2G0.
For those who don't, take the 401 east to hwy 115 then straight up to hwy 7 east to Ottawa. Continue on hwy 7 to Heritage line. Turn right, continue down to flashing red light in Keene. Drive straight through for about 3 mins. Turn left on Shanty Shore Lane and then drive right into our property. You can park your car in our large field across the street. You can't miss the big sign. Hope this helps. Come fishing any day of the week. See you soon. Jill and Roger

staycations on Rice Lake - short drive from Toronto

Our docks are in and we have started putting our boats and motors in the water. I have to admit the lake is looking beautiful with this early warm weather. Fishing seasons have changed, so you can start fishing for panfish, Crappie and Perch all year. Our 1st customer for boat rental arrives Monday morning. Walleye season opens May 8th. We have already quite a few bookings but still have room for groups who want a one or two night stay. We are only a 1  1/ 2 hour drive from Toronto and 20 minutes from Peterborough on the north shore of Rice Lake. Whether your break is short or long we can accomodiate your needs. Bring your boat or rent one of ours.   

Call us toll free at 1-877-295- 6850 to reserve your daily boat rental or cottage.

CANADIAN OUTDOOR CARD MAILED TO U.S. FISHERMEN IN 2010

Hi,
Roger and I want to remind all of our old customers and new ones to remember to bring your newly issued Canadian Outdoor Card with you that you received in the mail this year. This is what the extra $9.00 fee was for. You must present it when deciding on which license you are buying for your fishing vacation this year. We will then put the correct sticker on the back of your card which is good for 3 years. A new sticker must be put on the back for each current year and then you are ready to go fishing. That is all there is to it!
For those who didn't apply for a license last year, we will make sure you fill out the correct forms and you will receive the Outdoor Card by mail for the next year. The extra cost is $9.00 no exceptions. If you forget your card or lose it,  I am afraid you will have to fill out the forms again and pay the $9.00 once more. A license cannot be issued without it. Please do not forget your card.     
Roger and I are looking forward to old friends returning and meeting new ones. If we can be of any help in arranging your short getaway or two week vacation, please do not hesitate to call us using our toll free number 1-877-295-6850

BOAT OPERATOR'S CARD

You have probably heard about the Operator's Card that came into effect last September. Many people do not know that the card is NOT required to rent boats, only if you own a boat. If you have taken the exam and passed, great! If not, we will take you through a 15 point check list covering the operation of the boat, safety items and any local hazards.
You will have a copy with you during the rental, in case you need to show it and I keep a copy at the dock office.
We will have the four 15HP boats in the water by April 17th to get an early start on the crappie. All boats, including the pontoons, will be in the water by May 1st.
Call us toll-free at 1-877-295-6850 to reserve a boat.
Roger

BOAT AND COTTAGE RENTALS

WE ARE NOW BOOKING FOR THE SPRING, SUMMER AND FALL 2010 SEASON.
CONTACT JILL OR ROGER AT 1-877-295-6850
COMFORTABLE COTTAGES FOR FISHING PARTIES AND FAMILIES. BOAT RENTALS AVAILABLE BY DAY OR WEEK. COTTAGES MIN. 2 NIGHT RENTAL 

Ice fishing over for the first winter

I am looking out over Rice Lake today. It is a beautiful sight with the sun shinning. The ice looks grey in many places. Water is showing just outside Sugar Island as it is starting to break up near the Indian River current. The fishing huts have been pulled off and just a few people are still fishing through the ice. However, the ice usually hangs around until the week after Easter. We are completing our cottage #11 renovation in time for Walleye opener May 8th . Every year we renovate one of our cottages. 11 out of 12 have now been renovated. We are also purchasing ANOTHER 24 ft pontoon this year SPECIFICALY for Fishing Parties. It is still snow white as we look across to Sugar Island, but we can feel Spring coming. We will be starting our daily boat rentals early this year due to the New Fishing Regulations.  Our 15hp should be in the water by April 17th. As you all know Rice Lake is the best lake for blue gill, black crappie and pumpkin seed. Walleye Opening is May 8th. You should be booking your boat and cottage now.We are filling up fast for Walleye Opening Weekend. Whispering Pines is close to Toronto only 20 minutes south of Peterborough so a days fishing is easy to do. We sell fishing licenses and bait. Please call ahead to order bait. Use our toll free #1-877-295-6850 to order your bait, book your cottage rental or reserve a daily rental boat and motor.     

Up to date regulations for fishing on Rice Lake in 2010

Additional Angling Opportunities - Boat Rentals start Sat. April 17th 2010

Beginning Jan. 1st 2010 we have extended seasons for your fishing pleasure on Rice Lake only 1 and a 1/ 2 hours from Toronto Ontario, 20 minutes from Peterborough to Whispering Pines Cottages and Boat and Motor rentals by day or week. Boat rentals start April 17th this year.

There is now New Year Round open season for sunfish, yellow perch, black crappie. Black crappie and bluegill are recent additions to the fish communities of Zone 17. Along with yellow perch and pumpkinseed, these four species are available in high numbers and can provide additional fishing opportunities.
Extended fall seasons for bass and muskie, closes Dec.16th

Excellent angling opportunities are available for bass (largemouth and smallmouth) and muskie in terms of the size and number of fish. Bass and muskie productivity in Rice Lake is high and it is expected that climate change will benefit these species through warmer wateres and a longer growing season. The late fall period offers some of the best bass and muskie fishing opportunities.

Changes to Walleye Regulations

Limit of 4 walleye,

Conservation license holders have a limit of 1, they must be between 35-50cm (13.8 and 19.7 in.

Looking forward to seeing our old customers and developing new ones this year! Roger