Swimming along the rocky shorelines of Ontario’s Lake Nipigon exists one of North America’s most exceptionally beautiful, pristinely perfect and sentimental species of freshwater fish, the brook trout. Steeped within Canadiana angler history and lore, for over a century fisherman have traveled the world over to pursue the largest of brookies on this greatest stage. Dr. W. J. Cook on July 21, 1915 fishing the Virgin Falls area of the Nipigon River caught and weighed an enormous brook trout of 14.5 pounds. Nearly 110 years later, incredibly his world record remains.
.

.

.

.
On Nipigon much has changed over that time. Hydroelectric dams first altered both the lake and rivers natural state, affecting brook trout spawning and feeding habitats. Through the decades to follow, angler and commercial fishing pressures also brought trouble, leading to a further decline of fish populations. Near the turn of the century brook trout numbers within the entire Nipigon system were a only mere fraction of what they had once been, the species was at great risk.
.

.

.

.

.

.

.
Through the work of the MNR, conscientious anglers and volunteers; especially one Mr. Rob Swainson an Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry biologist in Nipigon for nearly three decades, brook trout numbers in more recent times have thankfully increased. Excellent management and rehabilitation through well planned restrictions and regulations, today Nipigon brookies are once again thriving throughout the lake and river. Anglers can now appreciate fine fishing yet, all should remember that they too are now stewards for protecting this fishery. Fishing with the outmost care and consideration while on Lake Nipigon is imperative to its future.
.

Tagged Fish

.

.
I am of the club that holds brook trout in high regard, both sentimentally and within my dreams for tomorrow. About 30 years ago when fishing fell into my life, it was through a friend’s father a devout fly fisherman, that I was first exposed to brook trout. In the once more remote Gatineau hills through an est.1903 century old camp, the wilderness, the trout, the adventure, culture and art of it caught hold of me, I was reeled into a new world of wonder and happiness. Brook trout; although we always called them specks, weren’t just beautiful fish to the eye, they were equally as stunning to the imagination. Birthed there at that time and camp, I believe from the wonderfully euphoric adolescent feelings with catching these special fish, to the dreams and desires for exploring more of that ahead, that is when life took a great turn into a new existence inclusive with the growing passion for angling.
.

.

.

.
In the early 2000’s I lived in Northern Ontario’s remote fly-in communities of Attawapiskat and then Moose Factory island. Wild rivers flowing to the James Bay, walleye and pike were the more abundant sportfish found but, in lesser numbers some tributary creeks held resident brookies and during certain times of year the main river channels received runs of migratory searun trout. I remember how any new successes catching any fish at all were very impactful, memorable experiences. An insatiable appetite to not only fish, I would spend long hours pouring over magazines, books, maps and then eventually in those early online days at emerging websites and forums studying about fishing. After long winters, when the waters finally flowed again, come spring my uncontrollable urges to fish and explore were peaking. Pent up anticipation, every fish caught felt like such a great release, none more so than catching a more rare but greatest prize of all, the beautiful brook trout.
.

.

.

.

.
The first chance to fish Lake Nipigon came through two friends, Pat and Dan. Never in my wildest dreams did I think this was water that come one day I could simply just show up at, fish well and feel safe. All the times this destination had crossed my mind over the years, the idea of it was just too enormous, too intimidating. Nipigon is nearly a Great Lake, a remote one at that, and despite all of its history, very little about it distant to local circles could be gathered. Nipigon to outsiders can be rather mysterious. Once knowing that I was headed there, we pulled our big boy pants up and away we went. That once in a lifetime trip, well… it turned into a lifetime of itself, a tradition. Forever I too will be swimming along those rocky shorelines with the trout.
.

.

.

.
Every speck I have ever caught on Lake Nipigon is accounted for. Date, place and some of them their length and weight. Photographs aplenty and many stories, it’s just as much about my time dreaming at the fly vice, studying the maps, the water and shores there, as it is especially warm campfires and memories of trips with friends, Bren and Leah. It is those things which hold an equal sentiment to the one thing that lured me there to begin with, a love of brook trout. So, I like keeping track of those fish, the sort of practice that is fun and interesting to look back on. A motivated person for calculation and results, organized and goal oriented, Nipigon across all classes has always just added up to an A+, no matter its tests. An education and experience which cannot be faulted.

Brook trout fishing on Nipigon can be as easy or difficult as an angler chooses to make it. There are places of high pressure on this lake and yet much water which receives little to none. Of course, those spots that don’t see anglers are often more work in and of themselves because, they tend to be further reaches from places to launch. So, you gotta work to buy more gas and a boat and motor that can handle big water and then, be cock-sure that you’ve done your homework on Nipigon’s many hazards which could stand to ruin all your fun. On this lake I have seen wrecked boats returned to shore by search and rescue. Those far off spots on Nipigon may be more difficult the time, cost and search, but once finding fish it’s like anything, if they’re biting they’re just more easily on the hook! When you choose to play safe and keep closer to the launch, you’ll have to expect that nowadays you’re going to be casting at smarter fish that may have seen it all. Brookies that were quick, cheaper and easy to arrive to may prove more difficult to catch. But you’ll catch some either way, just depends on what your preference is..?

Pinched barbs on all the standard lures one would keep in mind for big specks are often all you need on Nipigon. Consider everything from plastic and hair jigs 2 to 5 inches & 1/8 to 3/4oz or maybe small crankbaits like Rapalas, Yozuris or Storm options. A variety of spoons 1/4 up to 3/4 ounces and inline spinners in sizes 3 to 5 and of course. Of course flies, big wets or emergers, nymphs if so inclined and during July maybe even some dries will take big specks too, but most importantly are those meaty streamers you can cast and drift, strip or even troll. I don’t get too wrapped up in specific colors being the only go to but, instead fish a variety to see what’s working best. Each season on Nipigon it seems something different is in order and probably a dozen options could prove the chosen best on any given trip. All that said, more important is having confidence in what you’re using, fishing it right in the right time and space, working and learning as you go and, every time you hit the water putting safety first along with your best efforts fishing. Nipigon is a place that I find commands your outmost attention on the water and the ultimate preparation before ever arriving. You want the best of your fishing come the day, be certain you’ve planned for best success for the days, weeks or even years before you take the big waters on.

And have some fun too!
.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.
Through my Nipigon experiences I believe the brook trout fishing is as good today, maybe even better than it has ever been. Part of that came with learning the water and fish, from techniques to spots to timing, etc. but, I feel the other part is because lake and river is an improving, growing fishery as well. The numbers of anglers venturing to Nipigon has certainly grown too. More guides today and also accommodations which have sprouted up or increased their clientele, all eased access and beginnings call new anglers to the waters. Onaman’s as an example, when Rob Lindsay took it over about 15 years ago, he had incredibly less anglers staying there per season as he grew to did pre-Covid. With very little advertising, at certain times in his season the resort is just jam-packed. Near Nipigon the parking lots, motels and camps all seem more busy as well.
.

.

.

.
Other outfits like Pasha Lake Camps came along and, through the old Red Rock Lodge guides cater to traveling anglers too. Head guide with Red Rock Lodge, Gord Ellis recently quoted he remains quite busy, putting in 50 to 60 days on the water per summer season. Up at Onaman’s Rob Lindsay does the same. These are two lifelong Nipigon anglers and veteran guides today who can teach many aboard their boats how to fish any of the lake’s species, and teach them very well. Many young guns are also shooting for their piece of the profit pie as well, bringing in more angler traffic.
.

.
For the time being it is both interesting and a relief, to see so many more people showing up to Nipigon and yet the quality of fishing remain great. If everyone does their part to follow the regulations and be extra vigilant with fish safety, there’s no reason why a working policy of mostly catch-and-release shouldn’t continue to help this brook trout fishery thrive. Time will tell though… and surely a part of me is glad to have already enjoyed many experiences over some years, for fishing which may have been the beginnings of a better future or possibly the best it might ever get if the lake’s growing popularity grows to great making things turn for the worse..?
.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.
Two years ago while on the lake for a weeks fishing my friend and I put up some numbers of specks that had only been seen once before while on a trip back ten years earlier. Along with this, we both caught an unprecedented number of lake trout during six hours of trolling one afternoon. By that trips end we crushed some old best counts for the Lund. And just last fall, I pulled off the lake to head home and while departing, friends of mine who remained behind slipped over to a new area we’d been wondering about. Those two caught more brookies than I did all days of my trip combined. Elsewhere on the lake, another friend and his partner hit the motherlode over the span of their week, boating near 150 specks while fishing out of Onaman River Resort. If someone had told me back 15-20 years ago these kinds of numbers were at all possible for giant brook trout, I would have surely rolled my eyes. Today the lake fishing holds strong and steady with anything possible! One only has to get there and believe it so, Lake Nipigon’s brook trout are alive, well and as hungry as ever. A very special place to fish, explore and make memories.
.

.

.

.

.

.

Thanks for being a part of such traditions.
.
Bunk.
.