Activities Around the Village

 

Canoeing and Kayaking
There are several ideal areas in the Wallace area for a day of paddling in either canoe or kayak.

Launching at the Aboiteau and paddling east up the channel during the high tide period offers many tidal canals to explore. The area is known for its variety of birds so expect to encounter eagles, osprey, and various water fowl. Seals also enjoy these tidal waterways.

Launching from the boat ramp at the Wallace Wharf provides access to the sheltered harbour. Going east along the south side you can explore the shoreline of Lazy Bay. On the north side you can paddle into Fox Harbour Bay to explore its shoreline or that of Jerry Island. On this bay’s south side is Fox Harbour Provincial Park, also known as  Warm Waters Park, where you can stop for a respite. When the weather is good, you can leave the protection the bay and experience a fine paddle around Oak Island.

From either launch, a trip from Wallace Bay up the Wallace River can be done. Paddling up river on the rising tide as far as the Kerr’s Mill Bridge and then returning on the falling tide is a pure delight. There are many little side excursions up creeks and inlets along the way that add to the fun. This Wallace River paddle is a good way to spend five to six hours.

Horton Beach may also be used to launch and is closer to Fox Harbour if that is your destination.

With the exception of the trip to Oak Island, all of these trips are in sheltered waters. Maps and tide information can be obtained at the Wallace Area Museum.


The Wallace Wharf
The village of Wallace has a long history as a fishing harbour, and the wharf’s location in the heart of the village makes it a focal point for commercial fishing, and increasingly, pleasure craft. The lobster season along this part of Northumberland Strait runs from May 1st until June 30th. In this season the wharf is humming with activity of fishermen, fish buyers, families, and free advisors. Twenty five fishing boats are in the water at this home port, and as many light trucks are on the wharf. The catches aren’t as good as they once were, but the economy is bustling as boats and trucks need fuel, wages are paid, lobsters are sold. Grant’s general store is located strategically to the north of the wharf and a fish processing plant neighbours to the east. A lobster pound sits on the end of the wharf. Business is brisk.

The wharf itself is 315 feet long and an “L” shaped section at the end measuring 120 feet protects the fleet during weather from the north. Depth of water at high tide ranges from six to twelve feet at various points along the wharf. Fixtures on the wharf include several tie cleats, ladders, a navigational aid maintained by the Canadian Coast Guard, light poles, hoist, fuel system, and waste oil tank. The haul out ramp is located along side.

The Wallace Harbour Wharf is owned by Small Craft Harbours, a division of Department of Fisheries and Oceans Canada. The wharf is leased to the Harbour Authority of Wallace, a local non-profit incorporation of fishers and members of the community who are mandated to manage the port’s daily operations. The current board of directors are: President - Alton Brown; Vice president - Paul Mundle; Director - Russell Boudreau; Director - Dave Scanlan; Director - Ejnar Larsen; Past President - Byron Jamieson; Past Director- Merrill Jamieson; Administrative assistant - Angela McPherson.

Wallace Harbour Marina The Harbour Authority of Wallace has seen the trend toward increased traffic of pleasure craft using the wharf or anchoring in the harbour because of insufficient facilities elsewhere. The idea of having a marina for these pleasure craft has first grown into a plan, then a business study by Marinova Consulting, and next will be an engineering study of the harbour bottom to determine better the cost of construction. Land has been acquired for this marina. The fulfillment of the marina ideal will take another year or so to happen but the process has begun.

There are many good reasons for establishing a marina at Wallace. There are a wealth of cottage owners who would use the facility; it would compliment the private marina at Fox Harb’r Resort and the proposed growth at Pugwash marinas; Wallace has locally available services to provide tourism and hospitality needs; Wallace is ideally situated for day trippers from P.E.I., Cape Breton, or New Brunswick; Wallace harbour offers a picturesque voyage up the channel which is clearly marked and accessible; marine related sectors already exist for fueling, watering, dumping, etc.