Town Of Pickle Lake
Welcome To Pickle Lake, Ontario. Ontario’s Last Frontier
Pickle Lake is Ontario’s last frontier... an ancient, inspirational land of enormous environmental diversity, with vast forests, remote waterways, rare wildlife and fascinating indigenous history.
Pickle Lake is the most northerly community in Ontario that is accessible year-round by road. Covering this region are thousands of lakes and rivers, full of Walleye, Northern Pike, Trout and other species of fish. The forests are home to the majestic moose and this huge wilderness is only three hundred miles from the coast of Hudson Bay, Ontario’s subarctic.
Aside from moose, the region also offers viewing opportunities for woodland caribou, the elusive timber wolf, black bear, game birds, bald eagles, gulls, ravens, the ever-present song birds and migratory birds such as ducks, geese, and cranes.
The Township of Pickle Lake has approximately 450 local residents and is located at the northern point of Highway 599. To reach Pickle Lake, you enjoy a scenic three-hour drive north from the Trans-Canada Highway at Ignace, Ontario along the all season paved highway 599. Wasaya Airlines has scheduled air service Monday to Friday into Pickle Lake from Thunder Bay, Ontario.
The pavement may run out at Pickle Lake, but a well maintained gravel road (The North Road) stretches 250 kilometers further to the north and west of Pickle Lake to Windigo Lake. Winter freeze-up allows for the construction of roads made from ice and hard-packed snow, known simply as the “winter roads”. These roads provide access to and from more than fifteen otherwise isolated First Nations communities north of Pickle Lake.
| Living |
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Pickle Lake is a great place to visit, but it's also home to a permanent community of about 450 people. With a small population, Pickle Lake is certainly a small municipality, which makes it easy to get around and meet new neighbours. It also makes for a relaxed living atmosphere. The standard of living in Pickle Lake is as good, if not better, than anything you'll find anywhere else in Northern Ontario. If you're thinking about moving to Pickle Lake, we've put together a range of information to help you interact with the community and find services like schools, hospitals, doctors and churches. Health CarePickle Lake has a modern health care facility with a full-time doctor and two part-time nurses. At the Pickle Lake Health Clinic health care needs are met expeditiously and the Northwestern Health Unit also continues to offer a variety of health and wellness programs throughout the year. Real EstateHomes and building lots are available for either sale or rent, at very affordable prices. Apartments are also available for rent. The Township has various properties for sale. Places of WorshipPickle Lake Gospel Chapel: Sundays 10:00 am and 6:00 pm Friendship Baptist Church: Sundays 10:30 am and 6:00 pm Ladies Bible Study: Tuesdays 8:00 pm Bible Study, Baptist Church: Wednesdays 7:00 pm ShoppingPickle Lake provides more than the basic necessities and needs. Some of the retail outlets include the Northern Store, Frontier Mini-Mart, K & K Tackle, Mistik North and Casuals Convenience Store, along with Canada Post Office, Desjardins Credit Union, Winston Motor Hotel, Lakeview Manor Bed & Breakfast, Pickett’s Bed & Breakfast, Patricia Auto Sales and Pickle Lake Auto. |
| Working |
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Pickle Lake’s major employers are Wasaya Airlines, North Star Air, the Northern Store and the Ministry of Natural Resources, as well as several institutional establishments. As a result, employment is found largely in the service and transportation sectors. In Pickle Lake, the mining industry continues to explore new opportunities with the hope of a new mine opening soon. Skilled workers are in high demand in Pickle Lake. Additional employment opportunities can be found in the retail and hospitality sectors in the various stores, financial institutions, hotels and garages located in and around Pickle Lake. |
| Learning |
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Crolancia Public School, located in Pickle Lake, is an excellent school with a high ratio of teachers to students. Distance Education options like Contact North also allow for further education or retraining and job skill upgrading. There is a public library located within the Community Hall. The Township also offers a Best Start Hub where parents can bring their pre-school children to interact with other parents and children in the community. |
| Doing Business |
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With its modern airport terminal, connections to all season roads and rail networks, Pickle Lake is recognized as a linchpin which links Ontario with the remote north and beyond. The town has long been a service and supply base for projects in the remote north of Ontario. Pickle Lake is strategically positioned to play a pivotal role in the ongoing expansion and growth of Ontario’s natural resource based industries. As a major transportation and access point to the remote north and its many First Nation communities, the significant growth in exploration and mining in the region presents many opportunities for Pickle Lake to further develop its logistical support capacity. There are also excellent business opportunities in the service industry, power generation, eco-tourism, tourism – hunting and fishing, or water bottling. |
| Playing |
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Hot, lazy summer days and cold, brisk winter days create opportunity for a wide range of recreational activities both indoors and out. Residents take part in their own outdoor recreation activities including swimming, hiking, biking, cross country skiing, snow shoeing, camping, kayaking, boating, snowmobiling, and more. Pickle Lake also offers numerous indoor recreation facilities including a fitness centre and weight room, a curling rink, arena, and bowling alley. The Pickle Lake Recreation Committee is always organizing special events. Annual Events include the Ice Worm Festival in February and the Black Fly Festival in July. New residents are always welcome in the Community. Community Groups, such as the Lions Club, offer new residents many opportunities to meet new people and to socialize. www.picklelake.ca. |
| Testimonial |
Ms. Celia Deang2008 September 22, Civilian of the YearCan you imagine what it must be like to leave all you have known in the Philippines and immigrate to a strange land? In my mid-twenties I did just that. After a brief stint in Hong Kong, Calgary, Timmins and I finally ended up here in Pickle Lake during the mining boom. The first people I met here were the Township employees Mrs. Janet Makkibin-Hickey, wife of retired Senior OPP Constable, Bev Hickey; and the the Koval’s; Catholic, Mennonite and Baptist Church. Living here, there are always small jobs to make a living. I find the people in our community very friendly, helping each other when someone needs help. If you are walking downtown Pickle Lake swatting away the black flies, cars passing on the road wave their hand too as if you know them, but in truth you are just swatting away our famous black flies from your face. Our native people if you are nice to them they are nice to you too. I enjoy bowling, skating, fishing without a boat to our popular fishing spot at the hydro dam and all the community activities, fresh air, clean lakes and no pollution. I was employed by the OPP full-time and Wasaya Air part-time until my retirement. Three more years to go, my husband is planning to settle and enjoy life. |
| Where We Are |
| Photo Gallery |
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Photo Gallery: Pickle Lake will appear here on the public site.
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Contact(s)
