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[mooserapids]

I was excited to stumble across the shore fishing form. I live in Barrie with my two sons who are 12 and 16 years. We are novice fisherman even though we have been fishing for about five years. Like many places in Ontario Barrie is surrounded by many lakes with Lake Simcoe on its doorstep and Georgian bay a thirty minute drive.The biggest problem we encounter is getting access for fishing. There is so much private land that access is quite a challenge. I grew up in northern Ontario and find the crowded public places where access is available (like on the lakefront in barrie) unappealing. To me fishing is associated with getting out in nature, finding a somewhat secluded spot, and listening to the loons. Needless to say I have had trouble finding opportunities like this for shore fishing. These are available in temagami where there is ample crown land but not so much down here. Last year I learned that the OPP frown on fishing close to bridges and treadles after me and my two sons were met by a very stern swat uniformed officer as we walked out from our excursion to a tressle on the green and black rivers. We fish mostly for bass and perch but are certainly open to extending to other species. If anyone knows of good shore fishing possibilities within an hour of Barrie and would share that info it would be much appreciated.