Lake Nipissing management

News and updates

The comment period regarding proposed regulation changes for walleye, northern pike, muskellunge and bass in Lake Nipissing closed on May 11, 2021.

All comments and feedback received are being considered. Final regulation changes will be included in the 2022 Ontario Fishing Regulation Summary.

Fishing rules

You can:

• find specific rules for fishing in FMZ 11
• use the Fish ON-LINE mapping tool
• find a complete set of fishing rules in the Ontario Fishing Regulations Summary

About Lake Nipissing

Lake Nipissing is managed through a separate planning process. It is one of the most intensive inland fisheries in the province, with:

• a popular ice fishery
• 44 fish species
• a sport fish community featuring bass, yellow perch, northern pike and walleye
• resources that support Nipissing First Nation and Dokis First Nation members

For more information on fisheries management and fishing regulations for Lake Nipissing, contact:

Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry, North Bay District
Email: MNRF.NOR@ontario.ca
Telephone: 705-475-5550

Legal boundary map and detail maps

Legal boundary map for FMZ 11 and detail maps 1 - 11 (PDF)

Monitoring reports and management plans

• Lake Nipissing fisheries management plan (2015)
• The Status of the Smallmouth Bass Recreational Fishery in Lake Nipissing (August 2020, PDF)
• Status of Lake Nipissing Yellow Perch and Associated Fisheries 1985 to 2019 (September 2020, PDF)
• Lake Nipissing Bayesian Walleye Model Report (2020, PDF)
• Status of Lake Nipissing Northern Pike and associated fisheries 1967 to 2018 (2019, PDF)
• The Post release Survival of Walleyes Following Ice-Angling on Lake Nipissing, Ontario (2017)
• Lake Nipissing data review 1967–2011: final report (November 2012)

Lake Nipissing Advisory Council

The Lake Nipissing Advisory Council provides advice during the development of fisheries objectives and strategies.

Council members represent a broad range of views including:

• angling groups
• scientists and researchers
• conservation groups
• interested community members

The advisory council participates in fisheries management by:

• sharing ideas and expertise with the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry
• helping to develop and implement management strategies
• communicating with the local and angling community