A sign warning of prohibited watercraft is seen on the main beach in Clear Lake, Riding Mountain National Park, on Thursday, July 11, 2024. (CHRISD.CA FILE)
Parks Canada will continue its ban on motorized watercraft on Clear Lake throughout 2025 in an effort to prevent the spread of invasive zebra mussels.
Only non-motorized vessels such as kayaks and canoes will be permitted, and all watercraft must pass an aquatic invasive species inspection.
Parks Canada on Friday said the measure aims to protect Clear Lake and surrounding waterbodies within Riding Mountain National Park, as well as downstream ecosystems and infrastructure.
Permit options will be available for paddlers to access either Clear Lake or other lakes in the park.
“Parks Canada is committed to providing visitors and community members with high quality and meaningful experiences and supporting the continued vitality of tourism in communities around Riding Mountain National Park,” officials said in a statement.
All watercraft were temporarily banned from Clear Lake last spring after live zebra mussels were found in the lake in November 2023. A brief exemption was granted to the Martese tour boat, but that was later revoked, leaving the popular vessel docked for the remainder of the season. A Parks Canada spokesperson confirmed to ChrisD.ca that the motorized boat ban includes the Martese this year.
The Martese tour boat in Clear Lake will be docked for the 2025 season. (CLEAR LAKE MARINA)
“Parks Canada appreciates the owner’s ongoing commitment, dedication and long-standing contribution to connecting visitors and residents to Clear Lake and Riding Mountain National Park,” said spokesperson Mireille Kroeker in an email. “We will continue to have conversations with the owner of the Martese regarding options going forward.”
