Fishhawk Lake--Lake Etiquette Dos and Don'ts
We're deep into summer around Fishhawk Lake and knowing the dos and don'ts of water activities to keep everyone happy and safe is a good checklist to have on hand.
Do-When you're on the lake in some sort of watercraft it's kosher to wave at someone as you go by, even if you don't know them. This has been a part of boat etiquette that I learned long ago growing up on the St. Lawrence River. There's an immediate feeling of camaraderie and we are a community with one thing in common...we all want to be here enjoying Fishhawk Lake, because, well, it's a LAKE!
Do-give someone the right-of-way. When someone is in a large pontoon and you happen to be in a kayak, it will be much easier for you to change course than the poor captain of the pontoon.
Small sailboats are becoming more plentiful on Fishhawk Lake because of the great late afternoon winds and since it's not motorized, if you have a paddle or a motor, allow them to cross your path or turn and go another direction.
(Notice the canoer is using her paddle to slow the boat down to allow the sailboat room).
Do-watch your children when they're in Fishhawk Lake or at the beach. I happened to be gardening lakeside and heard a mom admonishing her kids in stern tones because they had taken off for the water and didn't tell her where they were going. They were "grounded" and no longer allowed to play at the beach. Bummer, huh? There is no lifeguard on duty, so when you have small children or those who might have some fear of the water, be sure and stay close and be watchful.
Do-invite others to "climb aboard" if you have a good-sized pontoon and your neighbors don't or they own a place off-the-lake and don't have a dock to put a large boat. It's a GREAT way to see Fishhawk Lake and all of the homes from a totally different perspective. It's a terrific way to get to know people better, have an impromptu party and make lifelong friends.
Do-if you see someone in trouble while swimming or boating, stop and ask if they need help. We towed some friends in with our pontoon because their motor had suddenly quit and they had a big pontoon...it would have been miserable for them to try to get back to shore. I also saw a couple of young girls jump in the water for a swim (they exclaimed, "it's the warmest water in Oregon!"), but when their dog followed suit, it panicked, so some kind ladies in a canoe helped out. That's what this community is all about!
Don't-talk disparagingly about your neighbors or yell expletives while you are out on your boat! Voices travel incredibly well on the water and you might find yourself apologizing for remarks that were meant to be private!
Don't-let your kids scream at levels that could break the sound barrier. It's very annoying to those who may be sitting lakeside trying to enjoy a moment or two of peace after a hard week's work. And, moms and dads, please don't yell at the top of your lungs at your kids--we really don't want to hear it!!!
Don't-Injure or remove salamanders from their natural habitat.
I see lots of kids playing around the shoreline capturing the salamanders that are in the shallow waters and counting how many they have discovered. That's fine, I guess, but don't put them in a pail and take them away from their homes. It's their playground just as much as it is yours. Enjoy them, but put them back into the water where you found them!
Don't-fish for salmon or steelhead or cutthroat trout if they are out-of-season. The regulations for fishing on Fishhawk Lake are from Memorial Day to October 31st. This year you can catch and keep two cutthroat trout per day, but you can't angle for salmon or steelhead. We are a salmon habitat project, so we don't stock them. They spawn here every year and the waters have become warmer lately (which they don't like) so their numbers may be down and that might be the reason why angling is no longer available for fishermen.
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