A Message from the President:
The days grow longer, the ice is starting to melt and we’re starting to feel that spring is in the air. As the 2026 President of KAPOA, I would like to warmly welcome all Kamaniskeg Lake and area residents back for another wonderful summer season. I hope everyone had a safe, happy, and restful winter and is looking forward to returning to the beauty and community spirit that make our lake so special. As the new President, I am truly excited for the season ahead and grateful to be working alongside an incredible Board of Directors: Lynne MacLean, Peggy Olbrycht, Candice Langlois, Judy McKennell, Kerra Wylie, and Shane Pitts. We are also grateful that Gerri Lucas has volunteered to organize the Poker Run which is back this year with plans already underway. Together, we are looking forward to a fantastic summer, we are preparing for our annual Regatta and of course our traditional participation in Bay Day that we hope will bring everyone together for fun, laughter, and lasting memories on the lake. Here’s to a great season ahead!
PS – If you haven’t heard the great news, the KAPOA Poker Run is a go this summer, raising much needed funds for St. Francis Valley Healthcare X-ray equipment! Don’t miss this in our very full calendar of events below, as well as the June 1 deadline for Early Bird membership renewal, a prize opportunity when you hand in your lead fishing tackle at any of our KAPOA events this year, and the new mandatory boat licensing requirements. And so much more, read on….
Greg Zdzienicki, KAPOA President
KAPOA 2025 Successes:
- Watersheds Canada Fish Habitat Program – Thanks to an army of KAPOA volunteers, we deposited over 50 brush bundles in Kamaniskeg and Negeek Lakes and conducted a clean up and gravel addition to an important fish spawning bed near Sand Bay point in August. Our volunteers created and donated brush bundles, navigated the lakes with pontoon boats, lugged bundles, cement blocks & gravel to staging areas and into the lakes, and scrubbed the fish spawning bed. Home Hardware chipped in to offset some cost of the 100 cement blocks, and Watersheds Canada secured sponsorship to offset the cost of supplies. This work is important to the health of our lakes and the fish populations within them. Last October, at the Water Canada Awards in Toronto, Watersheds Canada staff proudly accepted recognition from nearly 200 water protection leaders. Their Fish Habitat Program was the winner of the small project conservation award for the ambitious walleye spawning bed restoration project that included the work done on our lakes. Bravo!
- Carlton Students Field Study at MKC – In Oct, Professor Ballamingie and staff of the Geography and Environmental Studies Department at Carlton University partnered with KAPOA to provide a 4-day field course based out of MKC for 3rd year honours students. The course included water quality testing on Kamaniskeg Lake by canoe, field visits to local food and medicinal growers and providers, and a variety of other presentations and field tests. Following the field trip, the students analysed responses and prepared final reports from a survey that was completed by KAPOA members. The survey asked a variety of questions related to community engagement with KAPOA, the significance of the annual regatta, and cottage life and nature valuation. Thank you to those who contributed to the survey data, which provided the students with survey preparation and analysis experience and our KAPOA Director team with valuable insights. We look forward to the 3rd annual field course in Oct 2026 and how KAPOA can contribute to the educational experience of our future environmental stewards!
Update Your Calendar:
| Event | Where | Date and Time |
| OPG Information Session on the Madawaska River
Why Attend? – Gain an operational understanding of the dam system that runs from the Algonquin Highlands to Lake Ontario – Learn how winter thaws and spring conditions affect water levels and flows, and how OPG monitors and controls dam inflows & outflows |
Virtual Information Session, registration is required:
Event > Eastern Ontario Hydro Operations Info Sessions – OPG
|
Thurs Mar 12, 6:30pm
This session is similar to the session held in person last year in Barry’s Bay.
|
| Wildland Fire Presentation
Why Attend? – Hosted by Ken Cox (MNR), FireSmart Canada and the Neighbourhood Recognition Program Increase community resiliency of wildland fires |
Virtual information session, no registration required
Microsoft Teams Meeting ID: 243 890 322 956 1 Passcode: Ut78ht9n
|
May 6, 7-8pm
Sponsored by Aylen Lake POA, a neighbouring association to KAPOA. KAPOA members are all invited to join & benefit. |
| Bay Day
Why Attend? – Membership renewal and chance to win early bird prize – Register for the KAPOA Poker Run – Drop by to say hi – Learn about KAPOA – Lead tackle collection** – Sidewalk sales, food trucks & community events |
Barry’s Bay Hwy 60 main street – booths (including KAPOA’s) will be lining both sides of Hwy 60
Bring: – Lead tackle (for collection & draw) ** |
Sat May 16, 9am – 5pm
KAPOA booth until 1-2pm (depending on attendance & weather)
|
| Wildfire Community Preparedness Day
Why Attend? – Guest speaker – Ken Cox, MNR – Fire Chief – Bryce Robinson – Wildfire prevention tips – Kids – Touch a truck, activity table with fire safety tips – Meet other property owner association members |
Emond Hall, Hastings-Highlands Centre
33011 Hwy 62 Maynooth, ON
|
Sat June 20, 9am – noon
Sponsored by: Hastings Highlands Interlake Association (KAPOA is a member association along with 6 other associations) in partnership with the HH Fire Dept and Public Library
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| Annual General Meeting (AGM)
Why Attend? – Membership renewal – Lead tackle collection** – Elect KAPOA Directors – Receive reports & ask questions to our Director team – Guest speakers – Meet other members |
To Be Announced
Bring: – Lead tackle (for collection & draw) ** |
Sat July 4, 10am – 12pm
WANT TO BECOME A KAPOA DIRECTOR IN 2026/2027? Reach out to kapoacares@gmail.com and let us know what interests you have and how you’d like to participate. Volunteers and new Directors are always welcome! |
| Poker Run 2026
Why Attend? – Raise capital equipment funds for St. Francis Valley Healthcare Foundation – Enjoy a leisurely boat ride around the lake & river – Form and renew community friendships – Dress up (people & boats) to win prizes – Food & entertainment at Hinterland Beach at the end of the event – Best poker hands win cash prizes |
Sign in at Barry’s Bay Public Dock
Ends at Hinterland Beach
Bring: – Boat, life jackets, sunscreen, friends and your best poker face! – Lead tackle (for collection & draw) ** |
Save the Date! Sat July 25
Cost is $200.00 per boat, in person or virtual. Watch for us at Bay Days, stop by to say hello and register. Additional registration information and event details will be available soon, stay tuned! We need docks for card pickups and volunteers at blast off and the beach. Do you have high school students that need volunteer hours? We would love their help. PLEASE CONTACT KAPOACARES@GMAIL.COM to volunteer your dock or your time. Prizes will be awarded for best decorated dock and boat as well as best poker hand. Only 4 months away, start planning your theme now. Let’s make this day a successful fund raiser! |
| Regatta
Why Attend? – Fun for the whole family – Form community friendships – Continue a longstanding tradition – Win ribbons, certificates & more! – Membership renewal (last chance!) |
Hinterland Beach
Bring: – Canoe, life jackets, bailing bucket, paddles – Pool noodles for noodle races – Money for hotdogs ($1), drinks ($1), membership renewal ($30) & 50/50 draw – Lead tackle (for collection & draw) ** |
Sat Aug 1, 1-4pm
CONTINUE THE TRADITION: Bring the family for a FREE day on the beach with swimming & canoeing races, tug-of-war and sandcastle competitions! There are ribbons for everyone and trophies to be won (KAPOA members and their friends & family are eligible)! No registration is required for swim, canoe & sand castle (tug-of-war excepted, teams can be formed at the beach), just come and jump in when your event is called (rain or shine)!
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** LEAD TACKLE COLLECTION – Fish Lead Free
Fish Lead Free is an Ontario-wide movement to spread awareness about the harmful impact of lead tackle and promote safer, lead-free alternatives that protect our waters and the species that call them home.
KAPOA is collecting your lead tackle. Please bring your lead tackle to Bay Day, our AGM, Poker Run or Regatta.
Your name will be submitted to our draw promoting safer, lead-free alternatives. Thank you in advance for your participation!
Stay tuned this season:
- North Hastings Community Fish Hatchery Tour – The hatchery successfully completed the 2025 Lake Trout Egg Harvest, collecting 8,276 eggs which are now safely resting in the Combi Tanks at the hatchery. These eggs will hatch and grow into healthy fish to help restock naturally reproducing local lakes by Spring 2027. A date and time to tour this fascinating process run entirely by volunteers will be shared on Facebook once it’s been arranged. It will run for 90 minutes at their 140 Hysert Road, Bancroft location. Please email kapoacares@gmail.com if this is a tour you don’t want to miss.
- Hinterland Boat Launch Improvements?? We’ve not heard anything yet this year, but KAPOA remains cautiously optimistic regarding possible boat launch improvements at Hinterland Beach. Hastings Highlands municipality has obtained a permit from MNRF for boat launch improvements in 2026. We will keep our membership apprised of any news on this front.
- All Candidates Meeting – Hastings Highlands Interlake Association will be hosting an all candidates meeting in Sept in advance of the Oct Municipal Elections. Stay tuned for date and time.
- Carlton University Field Studies Partnership – Plans are in place for KAPOA and Carlton University to partner again in fall 2026. Watch for a bulletin in Aug/Sep and posts on our KAPOA Facebook page for how you can contribute to the educational experience.
Pay Your Membership Early & Win:
Your $30 KAPOA family membership is now due and we thank you in advance for your continued support. This year we will be having an early bird draw for all memberships received prior to June 1, 2026.
The preferred method of payment is by e-transfer. Please forward your payment to: pay.kapoa@gmail.com – please include residence owner name & address in the e-transfer note
or pay by cheque payable to KAPOA and mail to KAPOA, P.O. Box 297, Barry’s Bay, ON K0J 1B0 (note that this mailbox will be discontinued at the end of 2026) – please include residence owner name, address and email address with the cheque
or pay in person at Bay Day, our AGM, Poker Run or Regatta.
What’s Happening Locally:
Hastings Highlands Interlakes Association – the 2026 meeting is scheduled on Sat June 6 this year, with President Marlin Horst presiding (Baptiste Lake). KAPOA’s Greg Zdzienicki & Kerra Wylie will be attending along with representatives from associations on the following lakes – Diamond, Baptiste, Papineau, Salmon-Trout, Mink and Lake St. Peter, as well as representation from the Hastings Highlands Council.
Did You Know?
- IMPORTANT – NEW BOAT LICENSING REQUIREMENTS – As of December 31, 2025, Transport Canada has updated the rules for pleasure craft licensing (commonly referred to as boat registration or “K-numbers”). All new, transferred, and renewed Pleasure Craft Licences (PCLs)now cost $24, are valid for 5 years, and require updated information within 30 days of any changes. This link takes you to the KAPOA website where you will find information re which pleasure craft require licensing, how to register, and when your existing boat license is considered “expired”: NEW MANDITORY BOAT LICENSING IS EFFECTIVE DEC 31, 2025 – Kamaniskeg Area Property Owners Association
- Complimentary 3-issue offer by Cottage Life Magazine – Did you know Cottage Life offers cottage owners a complimentary 3-issue subscription to Cottage Life magazine? That’s expert tips, inspiring cottage stories, and plenty of ideas to make the most of your time at the lake—delivered right to your door. Cottagers who sign up for the 3-issue subscription will automatically receive one (1) free ticket to the upcoming Cottage Life Show (Mar 26-29, 2026). But do it quick, the show is fast approaching! Sign up here.
- Madawaska Valley Public Library is organizing a fundraiser this summer called “One Golden Gala”, a casual, cottage-themed evening celebrating author and local celebrity Carley Fortune. The goal is to raise money for much needed building improvements for the library as well as for new public computers. KAPOA members check out the event here: One Golden Gala – Madawaska Valley Public Library Tickets are on sale now!
- The St. Francis Valley Healthcare Foundation is seeking potential candidates from the community to join their Board of Directors. In return, you will develop new skills, meet some fantastic new people, and make a real difference in ensuring the future of local healthcare. For more information, visit their website or click the link: Board of Directors – St. Francis Valley Healthcare Foundation
- Tips for Renters – KAPOA prepared a list that we shared in our 2022 newsletter for you to share with your renters to ensure their safety, to keep your neighbours happy, and to ensure that you avoid penalties for short term bylaw infractions. The suggestions still apply: https://www.kapoa.ca/tips-for-renters/
- Don’t Move Firewood – As a reminder, due to the proliferation of so many invasive species and diseases, we remind you to not transport firewood between regulated areas in Ontario – Don’t Move Firewood (https://www.dontmovefirewood.org/
- Be #WakeAware – This campaign to educate boaters on the impacts of boat wakes was a joint initiative of the Muskoka Lakes Association, Safe Quiet Lakes and FOCA a few years ago, but it bears reminder: https://youtu.be/X3bYBPbP0qk
- FOCA Benefits – we are all entitled to take advantage of FOCA membership benefits. Members can set up their own individual Username and Password for the FOCA website to access online member materials, register at the member rate for FOCA events, and to access FOCA discounts and benefits. Check it out! https://foca.on.ca/register/member-association/?ca=6889232b3d0218e1f34263fc32fb1c88
Your KAPOA Team 
For general KAPOA inquiries: kapoacares@gmail.com
Find us on Facebook! Kamaniskeg Area Property Owners Association (KAPOA)
