Impact of new limits on Nippissing

Curious about the level of impact on outfitters and the community, economically, since the drop to a limit of 2 over 18 inches. My group of 5 decided to find a new location after 8 years coming to NB, as we travel a long way from different locations and 2 fish just isn't worth it.

Yeah that limit is pretty rough...might not be worth the trip anymore..esp when they allow netting..that destroys the population

Yukon,

There is no netting going on right now. From what I understand NFN has halted it until after the spring spawn.

Your comments make it sound like one group is to blame for something that is not really an issue. People keep saying how stressed the lake is and how much the walleye population is in decline. Myself, I don't see it. I've fished the lake my whole life and I've never seen fishing like I have the last two years. One weekend trip last year we caught 117 walleye of all different sizes. That's not a sign of a fishery in decline. Personally, the new limit I think is great. It's going to make the lake produce bigger fish in the years to come.

I think it's worth it if you actually enjoy the process of fishing, not just eating fish... why not just go to the grocery store and buy yourself 4 fish fillets for 20$ instead of going on a fishing trip costing hundreds of dollars in supplies and accommodations? You will have trouble finding a lake with the same numbers and same quality. It's also just awesome hanging with your buddies and spending quality time. I don't understand cancelling a trip because you can't keep 2 fish... you could always eat 50 perch instead lol.

Didnt' cancel, just changed locations with better limits as we like to have a few nice big fish fries. I understand the limits were put in place for a reason, it's just sad to see - hopefully there's a positive impact on the fishery within a few years.

I don't think it will hurt the operators because its more about the trip and good times and memories you make not bringing home more than 2 walleye isn't enough to discourage to many people from doing there annual trips in winter or summer....
I'm worried about how many big mature fish won't be put back in and let go so hopefully the 19 to 21 inchers well be plentiful so we can let the big ones go ....


Memories are priceless and forever
2 fish limit is fine with me like the previous
Said its cheaper to go buy them at the store......

Totally agree. I worry about the bigger fish being kept...anything above 22 inches won't be tasty anyways but I would assume they hold a ton of eggs for the spring spawn.
The other concern is the vast number of 15 inch fish that will be caught with air sacs up and then returned to die.

Totally agree. I worry about the bigger fish being kept...anything above 22 inches won't be tasty anyways but I would assume they hold a ton of eggs for the spring spawn.
The other concern is the vast number of 15 inch fish that will be caught with air sacs up and then returned to die.

Well said both of you guys, I wouldn't cancel or change locations even if they went to one fish, I bring enough food for the trip and it's not all about the fish eating its about the fishing and the fun and the trip itself. I love spending time out there in the perms cuz its so much less work than setting up on simcoe everyday and hey ice camping is awesome with a good bunch of guys fish or not I always have an excellent time with a few good pictures fish or not. I've had blah years and I've had awesome fishing years and I don't ever plan on not going, nip trip till I die!

I spent my days at the docks this summer fishing. Fished more then any other summer. If you love fishing you will go. I only kept one pickerel but I was fishing from shore. I still kept lots of pike. In the winter the perch are great and plentiful and you will catch some monster pickerel out from the shacks.

I would hope the community wont suffer from the reduced limits,limits are there to protect the fishery,so we are stuck with it

Its more about the fishing and the fun. Sure would be nice to keep more but will still be driving 5+ hours to go fishing on the nip. Can't get the same experience here. Only 6 more sleeps.

With so many people crying about the walleye limits I wonder if they realize there are many different species of fish in Nipissing. (Tasty ones to)

You are right. Perch makes for a great fish fry. If you latch on to one of those nice whitefish, it makes a great meal as well. How do you guys prepare a whitefish? I gut it, stuff it with onions and lemon and some butter wrap it in foil and bake it in the oven.

As an Operator on Nipissing I always try and stress to my guests about all the species available here. In the winter our end of the lake is more plentiful in Perch and Pike. Since I have yet to meet a fisherman that can tell the difference in taste between cooked Walleye and Pike I always ask why the difference then. Answer is always bones in meet. With a simple 5 minute tutorial on how to de-bone Pike and ad to that a 4 fish limit and often reaching 6 to 12 lbs. That is a serious amount of meet.

Perch limit at 50. Whitefish limit at 12 and even Ice Muskies at 1 although I always release Muskies anyway.

This lake will always be more than a one fish wonder!

Whatever fish you decide to target. Fishing with buddies or family, with an outfitter or on your own, is and will always be about the experience and good times. Limits are a reality that will not go away and for those who want to double or triple their meat count, theirs always the grocery store and you will most likely save a few hundred bucks.

I don't "fish to live" but I do "live to fish"

Hi West Bay Cottages

Are you sure muskies are open in the winter...and there is a slot of 36 inches that the fish must be greater than I believe. Plus you cannot keep or target if you have a conservation license.

Personally I mostly target Muskie in the soft water season and have yet to keep one...in my opinion, catch, picture, release...
Can anyone confirm if musky can even be kept in winter...as sad as that would be