Northshore Forest, Inc.

The Northshore Forest is very diverse and straddles the transition zone between the Great Lakes - St. Lawrence and Boreal forest regions. Common tree species include: white and red pine, jack pine, black and white spruce, white birch, poplar, and tolerant hardwoods such as maple, oak, and yellow birch. Silvicultural systems range from the selection system in the tolerant hardwoods, shelterwood systems in the white pines to clearcut systems in the boreal forest units. The Northshore Forest is unique with respect to the high number of users, activities and forest types on the unit and can be considered a multiple use forest. The forest industry is one of many that benefit from this forest. There are over 3,300 inland lakes greater than 4 hectares in size on the forest, and many are cold-water lakes. Over 275 lakes contain lake trout, which is more than 10% of Ontario’s lake trout lakes. In addition, there are over 400 naturally reproducing brook trout lakes, and well over 100 stocked (put and take) brook trout lakes. Warm water fish communities, dominated by walleye, northern pike and/or smallmouth bass, are in lesser abundance. Private cottages and commercial recreational facilities are established on most of the larger lakes, particularly in the southern portion of the unit. Commercial tourism is an important economic activity on the unit, utilizing main base lodges and fly-in outpost camps. The Northshore Forest contains 18 Provincial Parks (consisting of Natural Environment, Waterway and Recreation classes), as well as 13 Conservation Reserves and 9 Forest Reserves. Of the total area of the Northshore Forest, over 12 % is classed as either regulated, or proposed to be regulated, parks and conservation or forest reserves.