West Shining Tree Lake facts for kids
Quick facts for kids West Shining Tree Lake |
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 West Shining Tree Lake
Location in Ontario
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| Coordinates | 47°34′08″N 81°17′35″W / 47.569°N 81.293°W |
| Basin countries | Canada |
| Islands | McRae Island |
West Shining Tree Lake is a beautiful lake located in the northern part of Ontario, Canada. It's about 15 kilometers (9 miles) west of another lake called East Shining Tree Lake. The small town of Shining Tree is right on the eastern side of the lake.
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Where is West Shining Tree Lake?
The town of Shining Tree is found on Highway 560 in Northern Ontario. This highway connects Highway 11 and Highway 144. The lake is about halfway between the cities of Sudbury (to the south) and Timmins (to the north). You can also reach the lake by a special type of airplane called a float plane, which can land on water.
West Shining Tree Lake is connected to five other lakes by narrow waterways. The lake has a very interesting shoreline that stretches for over 40 miles (64 kilometers). It's full of many islands, narrow channels, and quiet bays.
The Lake's History and Name
Long ago, West Shining Tree Lake was part of an important canoe route for the Ojibwe people. They traveled from Bear Island, Temagami, all the way to the Mattagami First Nation. The Ojibwe people called this area "Wasakwagama," which means "White Tree Water." They gave it this name because of the many white birch trees growing there, especially on McRae Island.
In 1905, two fur traders named Mort and John Moore set up a trading post here. They accidentally, or maybe on purpose, changed "Wasakwagama" to "Shining Tree." They called their store the Shining Tree General Store. This is how the town and the lake got their names.
What's the Environment Like?
The land around West Shining Tree Lake is about 340 to 360 meters (1,115 to 1,180 feet) above sea level. It has gentle, rolling hills that were shaped by glaciers a long time ago. Water in this area usually flows towards the north or east.
The ground beneath the lake is made of volcanic rock. This area has higher than usual amounts of metals like copper, cadmium, and zinc. In the past, people mined for gold here, and some exploration for gold was still happening in 2012.
Weather and Nature
The average temperatures here change a lot with the seasons. From December to February, it's cold, around -9°C (16°F). From June to August, it's much warmer, about 16°C (61°F). Each winter, the area gets a lot of snow, about 285 centimeters (112 inches). The average yearly rainfall is 805 millimeters (31.7 inches).
The land is covered by a typical boreal forest. This type of forest has many evergreen trees like pine, spruce, and fir.
Animals and Activities
The forests around West Shining Tree Lake are home to many animals. You can find healthy groups of black bears and moose. There are also lots of grouse, snowshoe hares, and duck.
Hunting and Fishing
If you have a license, you can hunt these animals in the fall season. Hunters can use rifles or bows.
The lake is also a great place for fishing! You can catch fish like northern pike, walleye (also called pickerel), smallmouth bass, whitefish, perch, and different kinds of trout. These include lake trout, brook trout, and rainbow trout. Just like hunting, you need a fishing license to fish here. In winter, when the lake freezes, you can even go ice fishing.
There are several places around the lake where tourists can stay. These resorts offer cabins, boat rentals, and other services to help visitors enjoy the area.
