NIPISSING SEASON OPENER FISHING REPORTS

Hi all,

I just thought it would be great to hear from all of you who fish on Nipissing. This Saturday is Walleye season opener, and it would be great to hear how people are doing, and also how those of us who want to sustain the walleye population are catching and releasing. You can chose to share your "spot" or simply share how you are doing. Heck, post a photo of your biggest fish!

Good luck to all and remember, the gales of Nipissing come quickly so be prepared and have a safe boating season!

SKRAMO
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Attached is a freshwater drum (sheep's head) that I caught last year by Rankin Island (hopefully the photo upload works!)

Those are fun as hell to catch!

Yes they are.

SKRAMO thanks sharing..
Hopefully the Nipissing fishermen will come out of the woods now and post their fishing reports and pictures.

Sometimes I go out on Erie and target them.
Cheers!!

too bad somebody couldn't come up with a decent recipe for these nuisance fish. There are way too many in Lake Nipissing. I wonder what impact they have on the walleye spawn

From what I know and have been told, these fish have been around since the days when they used to harvest Sturgeon on the west side of the lake (1960's). They have alwasy been in the lake, and in my humble opinion are part of the balance and ecosystem that has sustained the lake so far. I would be interested in hearing from a biologist about if these fish are natural predators of walleye fry or eggs....more-so than any other species.

Has anyone tried to eat these? Lol...I was told they are like eating a shoe!

SKRAMO
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An outfitter in South Bay told me he had a group that targeted them to catch and eat. They insisted that he try it. Being the cordial guy that he is he tried it. He assured me that he would never make that mistake again.

We'll get one or two a day when we're up there in the summer looking for walleye. Always an exciting battle and we're always hoping that it's a big walleye or pike. But it's always a drum. The hard aggressive tugs straight down usually give it away. Fun, Fun!

Fun to catch but eat?
Never tried it. But guys at Port Maitland ( Erie ) BBQ them all the time. I see them load them up with oinion tomato and basil wrap em in foil and BBQ.
I'll just stick to catch n release thanks.
Cheers!!

Sounds like a good way to ruin a BBQ!

When I was just a young lad and beginner fisherman. I caught these sheephead for the very first time shore fishing on Lake Erie. I was just catching sunfish with a bobber then these things hit. I was so excited and smiling ear to ear to catch such a "big" fish. I took 2 home to eat. I tried to fillet them and found myself fumbling with bones, when I was done - I had a few slivers of meat. Can't remember how they tasted.. But never kept them again.. But they are tons of fun to catch.

I've had customers think there whitefish and eat them, more then once, sometimes they would say they where good and sometimes "The walleye was good but that whitefish seemed a little off"
I did not know they were eating until after the fact when I would go empty the fish guts and see a filleted Sheepshead.

As for fishing report they have been catching walleye along the shorelines and in the South River, But the hot spots around here have been the rocky humps 300-500 yards offshore in 20-24 fow in the evenings.

Good to hear Jeff...was really quiet from anyone up there.

I caught some sheephead in Winnipeg many years ago and we decided to try 2 samller ones.........all I can still remember is YUCK

There was a commercial operation down my way for them that lasted 3 years.They were exported to Asia......and we did notice a drop in both size and numbers for a few years after that.

In the fall, they stage up neaar the Niagara river and you can get some 10 plus pounders....man they hit hard

Easy fish to target in other locaations if you are taking kids out....gets them action and that's all they care about.

Hi guys. I am new to this board but I have a house on Hinchberger Bay, across from Lonely Island and head up to the lake most weekends. Have fished the last two weekends and the walleye fishing has been very good! 17-25 feet, off humps. Key is finding emerging weed growth. Walleyes seem to be sitting right in it. Been using crankbaits and gulp minnows. Have targeted pike as well but seem to be having a tough time connecting with them. Fishing the back bays with minnow baits, and spinnerbaits. Caught some hammar handles. Anyone have any suggestions?