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The designation of Conservation Reserve permits many traditional land uses to continue, including non-consumptive recreational activities as well as hunting, trapping and angling while at the same time excluding timber harvesting, mining, hydroelectric power development and sale of Crown land.
The Lake Nipigon Conservation Reserve is located approximately 170 kilometres northeast of Thunder Bay and 50 kilometres north of the Town of Nipigon.
There are nine communities in close proximity to the Lake Nipigon Conservation Reserve: Beardmore, Macdiarmid (part of the newly created Municipality of Greenstone), Armstrong, Nipigon, Red Rock, Gull Bay, Biinjitiwaabik Zaaging Anishinaabek (Rocky Bay), Whitesand Reserve and Red Rock Reserve (Lake Helen).
Lake Nipigon, the largest lake wholly within Ontario, and its surrounding shore lands, constitute a natural resource of global significance. Its clear, deep, non-polluted waters reach to a maximum depth of 166 metres (540 ft) and support a fish community that has remained basically unchanged since it was first studied almost a century ago. Although the Trans-Canada Highway runs just south of its shoreline, Lake Nipigon has remained relatively undeveloped and remote, offering pristine landscapes and solitude to the outdoor enthusiast.
Lake Nipigon supports a fish community of 46 species and the sport fishery is considered world class with the cold, clear waters of Lake Nipigon producing memorable sized lake and brook trout. The warmer bays produce walleye and exceptional sized northern pike.
The Lake Nipigon Conservation Reserve has a rich heritage related to prehistoric Aboriginal cultures, the fur trade, early logging and railway construction. Numerous archaeological sites have been documented and many more are likely undiscovered.
One of the most striking characteristics of the area is the rugged topography. Along portions of the Lake Nipigon shoreline and islands, the diabasic rock face form vertical cliffs of up to 150 metres above the water’s surface. Areas in the conservation reserve with particularly scenic cliff landscapes include Outer Barn Island, Undercliff, Castle Bay and the Tchiatang Bluffs in Black Sturgeon Bay.
There are a fair number of access points to the conservation reserve, sites are developed such as High Hill Harbour and South Bay access, whereas others are simply rough trails to a clearing by the water,
such as North Chief Bay.
The Lake Nipigon Conservation Reserve provides an exceptional recreational landscape for outdoor enthusiasts, offering excellent backcountry recreation opportunities such as angling, wildlife viewing, sea kayaking, hunting and birding, to name a few.
There are no tourism facilities within the boundaries of the conservation reserve other than a number of access points and Crown land campsites. Charter boat and cruiser boat operators provide single-day and multi-day trips on Lake Nipigon, catering to anglers, hunters and outdoor enthusiasts. Tourism, campground and marina facilities exist outside the conservation reserve in enhanced management areas and on private land located on Lake Nipigon’s shores.
View Lake Nipigon Conservation Reserve in a larger map
