2014 regulations, posession limit

I been hearing the same . That's why we are now planning our outing on other lakes . Northern Parry sounds district limits are way better . Sport license 4 fish and one Greater than 18.5 inches . Been fishing lakes like this for 2 years now . We been having some great success and bringing home enough for every one to enjoy ....

Hi phd1970,

I hear what you're saying. It is common knowledge that this is a big problem. As an executive member of the LNSA (a fancy title for 'committed sport fisherman looking for answers'), we don't have the power to change anything unfortunately....on our own. I'm just like you. This is why we are continuing this dialog with as many other fishermen as possible to make sure that everyone is of the same mind and opinion. When we have enough people ready to step up to the plate, I'll write a petition and get all of us to sign it.
The First Nations folks have way more history on the lake than we do and they are exercising their treaty rights. If they wanted to wipe the lake clean, (which they don't I promise you), they could with impunity because it's their right...as crazy as that sounds to you and me. Be assured that even the researchers and most factions of our local Govt. know the problems involved with gill netting. Georgian Bay is going through the same thing. Colpoy Bay, Owen Sound. Everyone knows about the problem. The solution? Take it to the media. Shout loud enough that the rest of the world will HAVE to at least take notice. THAT'S how change happens. I don't want to bash the First Nations because not all of their community is party to the demise of the fishery.
If anything, they need to come together within their own community and be proactive about the wasteful killing of by-catch and they have to manage their own members who take more fish than is healthy for the lake. The sport fishermen already have active management. It's called the MNR. They have the power to regulate us. They don't have the power to regulate the gill netters. If they don't , then who does? That's my personal issue. Regulated vs unregulated. THAT'S not fair, especially to the FISH! For now all the LNSA can do is to keep restocking the lake to the capacity we are allowed. That's what I am doing as a member. As a fisherman I'm feeling sad about Nipissing but I'm not giving up on her. She has some of the cleanest fish in the province if you read the guide to eating fish in Ontario. As a fisherman I am still fishing the lake but I'm fishing not with vindictiveness but rather with conscience and restraint. If you're looking to stock your freezer this winter, Nipissing isn't the place to go. If you want to still catch fish and have fun doing so, and take home enough for dinner for yourself and you enjoy the history, layout, and quality of Nipissing, come join the party. It's not for all but for some it's still a lot about the catching, not necessarily the keeping. My 2 cents worth.

Caldan

Well said Caldan. We have been doing an annual 4 day ice fishing weekend to Nipissing for 20+ years now and this is all we ever asked for on these weekends so hopefully we will be able to do this for many more years to come. Good friends, good times, good party come first and if the fishing happens to be also good well that is just a bonus.

When the day comes that you can put up a petition please post it on this site as I am sure there are many on here who would be more than happy to add their name to it.

There is an old saying - It is the squeaky wheel that get's the grease.

X2 FatRap, fresh pickerel in store 2 blocks from our house is $4.95/lb if you thinking to stock up your freezer, going as far as Nipissing will bring price to up to $30.00/lb. Time spent up there on ice with good company fishing-priceless. To catch your day limit on Nipissing still not an issue and would bring enough meat to have a good size fish fry on ice, not enough? go to the store, we’ll be fishing Nip.

Nipissing has given my family, my parents and grandparents before them a livelihood and a life time of great memories. I'm not about to turn my back on her now that she's struggling. I think it's paramount that we find common workable solutions for all the parties involved. Pointing fingers isn't going to necessarily solve the lakes problems. Providing options and petitioning those that can have an impact........is the better way forward.
I've be around long enough to remember the rapid decline and then the miraculous recovery of another lake......Lake Erie. And after the finger pointing stopped and all the affected parties came together in a concerted effort..........that Lake was brought back from the brink in the 1960's. Erie is now thriving for the most part. Lake Nipissing is in no where near the same state that Lake Erie was.......Nipissing has the solid base of a better than average water quality due to it's relatively shallow nature and annual flushing capabilities. That's a great starting point. The other problems, fish reproduction and over harvesting seem solvable when viewed in that context.
Nipissing can return to it's past fishing glory......it's going to require effort, dedication and a commitment to see the solutions to their completion.
I'm all in........everyone with a interest in the lake needs to step up now and do whatever they can to help.

i agree I don't know a lot about this lake as I only fish it one week a year. myself and buddies go up one week a year for the last 8 years. Great time, we are all great lakes steelheaders so the chance to catch some walleye and relax on the boat is a great change, I understand the lake is in trouble and from what I see in the one week thst im there is resort owners are put in an incredibly tough spot.. Reason I say that is myself and others watched people at the resort we were at, I will leave it un named, keep multiple fish in the slot.. its very easy to see the size of the fish.. as well we would see them come in again next day with their limit ... Rule states in your possession so if you don't eat those fish that night, next day your possession is still limited out. But owners of the resort don't wanna p### off guests as they want guests to keep coming back.. but in my opinion they need to start pressing their docks harder as every single fish that's kept that shouldn't be is starting to really matter.

again guys I am only there one week of the year so you guys know WAY more than I do..
we will be going back again next year s its great time!