Lake Nipissing is approximately four hours north of Toronto and is classified as a Specially Designated Water within Fisheries Management Zone 11. The designation includes all 873 square kilometres of Lake Nipissing and includes the Upper French River.
Lake Nipissing flows into Georgian Bay through the French River and has 12 major tributaries including the Sturgeon River, Veuve River, South River, Wasi River and Duchesney Creek. In general, the eastern half of the lake is deeper than the west. There are three major bays: Cache Bay, Callander Bay and West Bay.
North Bay is the largest urban community, located on the northeast shore of Lake Nipissing. The lake is also home to five provincial parks: Maskinonje, Manitou Islands, West Sandy Island, French River and South Bay.
Why is Lake Nipissing “Specially Designated”?
Lake Nipissing is a popular fishing destination and one of the most intensively fished inland lakes in the province of Ontario. Ice fishing is very popular on Lake Nipissing and accounts for over one third of all angling.
The Lake Nipissing fisheries are very important to the local economy. They provide significant socio-economic benefits to communities and First Nations around the lake.
A total of 44 fish species have been documented in Lake Nipissing. The sport fish community is dominated by walleye, yellow perch and northern pike. Other major species include the common white sucker, cisco (lake herring), lake whitefish And two species at risk: the northern brook lamprey and the lake sturgeon.
Nipissing First Nation and Dokis First Nation members depend upon the resources of Lake Nipissing.
Many tourist businesses, located mainly on the eastern shore, south shore, and in Northwest Bay, operate on Lake Nipissing and depend on tourism generated by the Lake Nipissing’s fishery.
For more information on Lake Nipissing, its fishing regulations, or any of the fisheries management activities being undertaken on the lake, please contact:
Dave Fluri
Management Biologist
3301 Trout Lake Road, North Bay, ON P1A 4L7
705-475-5537
Dave.Fluri@Ontario.ca
Randy McLaren
Nipissing Area Supervisor
3301 Trout Lake Road, North Bay, ON P1A 4L7
705-475-5580
Randy.McLaren@Ontario.ca
