Paddling NB

Description

Note: This lake is in the Chignecto Isthmus (flatlands between New Brunswick and Nova Scotia) and is therefore subject to sudden high winds. Weather conditions can drastically vary the speed and difficulty of your trip. Please plan accordingly.

The Chignecto Isthmus is a wide, lowland grassy area between the Bay of Fundy and the Northumberland Strait, and between the provinces of New Brunswick and Nova Scotia. The Tintamarre National Wildlife Area is in the middle of the Isthmus and is made up of the Jolicure Lakes. These lakes are surrounded by mostly grasslands, agricultural fields, and some lowland forests. They make an ideal place to view waterfowl and other birds and wildlife.

At the boat launch we were fascinated to see so many tadpoles. The shallow waters were full of them. We had to use caution when putting the boats in the water. There was a green frog floating nearby and we saw a leapord frog and several bull frogs along the grassy shore. We started our paddle and made our way along the edge of the long, narrow lake. As we paddled, we saw lots of ducks bobbing in the water. They looked like a mix of hooded mergansers and gadwell. They soon got annoyed with us and flew to a nearby lake. When they did, we noticed an osprey eating a fish in a tree at the far end of the lake.

We made it to the back of the lake and found the narrow channel between the lakes. The channel was only 6 to 10 feet wide. Barely enough room to paddle so we pushed on the grassy sides. It was straight so it must have been man-made. When we entered the other lake we turned right. I wanted to check out the fractured wetlands at the end of the lake. This lake was surrounded by squares of grass both big and small, and cuts in different directions. Probably to hold more shy ducks that don't like to see other ducks when they nest. It makes for a very strange landscape full of wildlife. The geese dominated this end of the lake and they let their prescence be know.

We made our way down the other side of the lake along the grassy patchwork. In the summer these grasslands would be thick with grasses and cattails but this early in the year everything was brown and you could just see the cattails starting to pop up out of the water. At this end of the lake we watched a juvenile eagle soar overhead. We explored a few of the coves at this end of the lake before returning to the channel between the lakes. As we made our way back through the narrow channel we looked for bullfrogs hiding amongst the grass.

When we emerged back into the lake where we started, we let the breeze push us back towards the dock. There were lots of people now fishing at or around the bridge. As we approached the boat launch we watched a few swallows dipping and diving in the air above us. When we got out of the water a large ealge flew over low.

On the way back to Sackville we took the backroads. We went over to the High Marsh Road and crossed the Wheaton Covered Bridge on the way.

From the Sign

Tintamarre National Wildlife Area

THIS NATIONAL WILDLIFE AREA WAS ESTABLISHED BY THE GOVERNEMENT OF CANADA TO CONSERVE IMPORTANT WILDLIFE HABITAT. HUNTING AND OTHER WILDLIFE ACTIVITIES MAY BE SUBJECT TO SPECIAL WILDLIFE AREA REGULATIONS WHERE POSTED. TRAPPING OF FUR BEARERS MUST BE BY HUMANE METHODS.

THE FOLLOWING ACTIVITIES ARE AUTHORIZED WITHIN THIS NATIONAL WILDLIFE AREA.

1. WILDLIFE VIEWING
2. HIKING
3. PARTICIPATING IN A GROUP MEAL OR A GROUP EVENT OF 15 OR MORE PEOPLE
4. OPERATING A VEHICLE, OTHER THAN A SNOWMOBILE OR ALL-TERRAIN VEHICLE, ON DESIGNATED ROADS AND IN DESIGNATED PARKING AREAS
5. SWIMMING
6. NON-COMMERCIAL PICKING OF EDIBLE PLANTS AND EDIBLE MUSHROOMS
7. BOAT LAUNCHING AND BOAT LANDING
8. MOTORIZED BOATING WITH A MOTOR OF LESS THAN 10 HORSEPOWER
9. NON-MOTORIZED BOATING
10. SPORT HUNTING, EXCEPT WITH TOXIC SHOT,
A. UNDER AND IN ACCORDANCE WITH ANY APPLICABLE FEDERAL PERMIT AND ANY AUTHORIZATION REQUIRED BY THE LAWS OF NEW BRUNSWICK FOR SPORT HUNTING IN THAT PROVINCE, DURING THE TIMES AUTHORIZED BY THOSE LAWS, AND
B. WITH DOGS PERMITTED OFF-LEASH WHEN HUNTING WATERFOWL OR UPLAND GAME BIRDS
11. SPORT FISHING UNDER AND IN ACCORDANCE WITH ANY APPLICABLE FEDERAL PERMIT AND ANY AUTHORIZATION REQUIRED BY THE LAWS OF NEW BRUSWICK FOR TRAPPING IN THAT PROVINCE
12. TRAPPING UNDER AND IN ACCORDANCE WITH ANY APPLICALBE FEDERAL PERMIT AND ANY AUTHORIZATION REQUIRED BY THE LAWS OF NEW BRUNSWICK FOR TRAPPING IN THAT PROVINCE
13. ACTIVITIES LISTED IN ITEMS 1 TO 10 AND 13 FROM SUNSET TO SUNRISE, IN ADDITION TO THE PERIOD REFERRED TO IN SUBSECTION 3.1(3)

ALL OTHER ACTIVITIES ARE STRICTLY PROHIBITED UNLESS A PERMIT HAS BEEN OBTAINED FROM THE CANADIAN WILDLIFE SERVICE, ENVIRONMENT AND CLIMATE CHANGE CANADA, P.O. BOX 6227, SACKVILLE, NB, E4L 1G6. (506)364-5044

THIS AREA HAS BEEN DEDICATED TO OUR PRECIOUS WILDLIFE HERITAGE. PLEASE USE IT WISELY.

Directions

In Aulac, take exit 513 towards PEI. Drive for 9 kilometres and turn left onto Parson Road. Continue straight for 1.7 kilometres and the road turns into gravel. Drive for another 450 metres and you will come to a sharp bend in the road to the right. At the bend in the road continue straight. Drive for another 1.3 kilometres, and after crossing a small bridge you will find a boat launch on the left.

Other Routes nearby

• Silver Lake, Sackville
• Kouchibouguac National Park

Route Last Paddled: May 5, 2024.

Page Last Updated: January 12, 2025.