Hello All,

A group of us were out riding Lake Simcoe today, what else are you going to do when the temperature gets into the double-digits, and the trails are all but done??? There were tons of people out today - on sleds, in huts, in trucks, on ATV's and on foot. Even a couple of cars that were brave and stupid enough, and consequently got stuck.... but that's another story.

Anyways, we were flagged down by 2 machines, we had assumed they needed help, then saw the flashing lights. They were South Simcoe Police machines (which were old mid-90's Polaris Sports), so we stopped to see what was up. We weren't on the OFSC trail that crosses the lake. They had asked everyone for their licences, ownerships and insurance. No problem. 'Have a nice day', and we were off. They were very nice and courteous, and I personally appreciate the police presence.

But.... why were they asking for these credentials in the middle of a frozen lake?? I was always under the understanding that you don't even need insurance to run on the lake, let alone an up-to-date registration sticker. Anyone else had similar experiences, or know the laws relating to lake riding????

We had a similar experience way up here a couple of years ago during our local winter carnival, right out on the ice in the middle of no-where. Got to wonder sometimes.

You need insurance, a sticker and a license to ride anywhere other than your own property...the lake is govt property, so ya gotta be legit...the only thing you don't need is a trail permit....

Re;
..the only thing you don't need is a trail permit....

The OFSC is working on that

Originally posted by Russ Wheeler@Feb 29 2004, 11:23 PM
You need insurance, a sticker and a license to ride anywhere other than your own property...the lake is govt property, so ya gotta be legit...the only thing you don't need is a trail permit....
:withstupid: or atleast that is how it is here in NB.

yea, here in wisconsin for instance, it is only legal to not have a permit for your sled if it is OK'd by the city like at the lakecross, it was a sanctioned event so you didnt have to have a reg. on your sled to ride the lake.....its up to the city

In ohio you have to have your sled registered and you must have the numbers on the cowl,,,, they can legally stop and check them out if you are not on your property,,,,

So, the lake isn't for lawless abandon after all..... next thing you know they'll have speed limits for on the lake. :ohmy:

I never knew that you had to have insurance (since it's null & void if anything happens out there...) to ride the lake. I guess it's the liability that they're worried about. Those insurance companies seem to get you coming and going...

I just found it odd to be stopped in the middle of a huge lake. Not near the shore line, not near the marked trail, not near anybody else... right smack in the middle.

Oh well, as I said, the police presence was definitely no inconvenience, and welcome on such a busy day. Too bad they didn't see the 2 hoodlums that drove their Hyundai Excel out onto the lake, got it stuck, and proceeded to remove the plates and VIN numbers to leave it where it finally came to rest.... and they complain about snowmobilers polluting....

Originally posted by The Hossman@Mar 1 2004, 02:14 AM
So, the lake isn't for lawless abandon after all..... next thing you know they'll have speed limits for on the lake. :ohmy:

I never knew that you had to have insurance (since it's null & void if anything happens out there...) to ride the lake. I guess it's the liability that they're worried about. Those insurance companies seem to get you coming and going...


you want the bad news first.............the speed limit on the lake is 80km's an hour. :( also,you can buy ice insurance.................. :D

There is NO speed linit on the lakes in ontario. sleds are covered by insurance if they go on the lakes as they are snowmobiles. Inurance fixed sinking sleds at the dealer I worked at quite often. Automobile insurance does become null and void once you go on the lake.

Originally posted by permafrost@Mar 1 2004, 07:59 AM
There is NO speed linit on the lakes in ontario.* sleds are covered by insurance if they go on the lakes as they are snowmobiles.* Inurance fixed sinking sleds at the dealer I worked at quite often.* Automobile insurance does become null and void once you go on the lake.

:withstupid:

Holy Mackeral!

We agree

how would you explain to your insurance agent,,,, that your new pickup was sunk in the middle of a lake,,,, over a mile from the shoreline,,,, now that could be real interesting

Holy Mackeral!

We agree


LMAO :p

Just wondering about the speed limit you guys say theres no limit that almost is to hard to belive. I know in a boat it 55mph. Guess it would be nice to know for sure. SWRules

Originally posted by The Hossman@Feb 29 2004, 09:21 PM

But.... why were they asking for these credentials in the middle of a frozen lake?? I was always under the understanding that you don't even need insurance to run on the lake, let alone an up-to-date registration sticker.
If a boat needs registration to go on a lake, why would a sled NOT need registration???

I don't know about speed limits and such on the lake. I do believe though you are supposed to stay 100 ft or more from an ice shanty or ice fishing hole.

The innisfil police are stopping people looking for infractions of the motorized snow vehicle act. There pretty easy to get alng with providing ou have all your paper work.

RR

Several Lakes in New England have two different speed limts, one for day and a slow one for night. Very rare to see no limits on the small lakes.

Hey doo , Vermont has another wierd law this year, frozen body's of water get the same restrictions as a state highway, so all lakes and ponds are supose to be 55 (MPH). Island Pond is the only place I have seen it enforced so far. Cops were sitting right on the shore with their guns pointed down the pond. :cussing:

Originally posted by Russ Wheeler@Feb 29 2004, 10:23 PM
You need insurance, a sticker and a license to ride anywhere other than your own property...the lake is govt property, so ya gotta be legit...the only thing you don't need is a trail permit....
I agree with Russ on this one ....

One other note ...if there is a marked ofsc trail on the lake there is a 100 meter either side of the markers speed limit of 50 km/h that came into effect this year .

SWRules
someone looking for me?, "thetruth", yeah, I know him

Where we live up here there is actually enough ice traffic that I feel better knowing sleds are registered, but see a lot of old beaters limping along from fish hut to fish hut and wonder how it could be cost effective to insure them, especially after a short season such as this?

YES there are speed limits on some lakes

Here in Sudbury the speed limit at night is 80kmph-FACT

In Timmins I believe it is 50kmph on any lake

Remember to check ALL local bylaws before heading out :sly:

I am sure there are tons of bylaws in other parts of Ontario pertaining to speed on lakes

And remember the current Minister of Northern Developpement and Mines has tried unsuccessfully to pass private member bill limiting speed to 50kmph on ALL bodies of water

now that he is in government watch out :cussing: