"The Lake Nipigon Basin Signature Site has been used as the source of the fish managenent strategies for the Nipigon Basin.

The Nipigon River will be managed for a high quality brook trout fishery, with the intent of maximizing the opportunity to catch a memorable sized fish.

The cold, clean, well oxygenated water of Lake Nipigon is essential for species such as the  brook trout (Salvelinus fontinalis). 

Important upwelling areas with sand and gravel, critical for brook trout spawning are thought to exist in Pijitawabik Bay, McIntyre Bay, West Bay, South Bay, English Bay and Humboldt Bay.  Brook trout is one of the most prized sport fish in Lake Nipigon. They require high quality, cold water environments for survival

and reproduction. They  can be found in the non-breeding season near Shakespeare Island, Mungo Park Point, the Virgin Islands, South Bay, Gros Cap, West Bay, Jackfish  Island and the north central islands area.

Management Strategies

• Restore depleted stocks of native species (brook trout, walleye and sturgeon)

• Restore brook trout populations to 1930s level of abundance and stock structure

- Implement complementary gear restrictions to facilitate live release of all species on the river

- Allow only artificial lures and single barbless hooks on the river. This will lessen the incidence of deep hooking and reduce handling time

- Provide educational material and training to sport fishermen concerning live release survival rates and recommended handling techniques. Materials might include brochures, wallet cards, rulers, videos, fact sheets, and summaries of the scientific literature. Hosting seminars should also prove beneficial

- Encourage angling for non-traditional species to relieve the pressure on traditional fisheries

• Manage the brook trout fishery to achieve a success rate of one fish per two hours of fishing effort and one brook trout greater than 55 cm for every eight hours of fishing

- Investigate options for achieving these targets including a direct harvest control system (i.e. tag system), increased size limits or live release only for the brook trout fishery

- Identify, protect and where appropriate, enhance spawning habitat

Additional copies of the Lake Nipigon Strategy are available from the Ministry of Natural Resources at the following locations:

 

Nipigon District Office
5 Wadsworth  Drive
Nipigon, ON P0T 2J0
 Phone: (807) 887-5000

 

Thunder Bay District Office
Ontario Government Building
435 James Street
Thunder Bay, ON P7E 6S8
Phone: (807) 475-1471

"Sport fish management practices will be modified to ensure the sustainability and continued world class status of the Lake Nipigon fishery."

Management Strategies