Lake Nipigon and the Nipigon River Fisheries Management Plan

Proposal updates

This notice was initially published on the old Environmental Registry as registry # PB04E1003

This notice was updated on February 16, 2016 to advise the public that there has been no change to the status of this proposal and it is still being considered. No additional opportunity for comment is being provided for at this time.

This notice was republished August 02, 2006 to update the contact information and to advise the public that there has been no change to the status of this proposal and it is still being considered. An update is anticipated in Fall 2006. No additional opportunity for comment is being provided for at this time.

This notice was first published on the Environmental Registry on October 25, 2004 at the Invitation to Participate and Inspect the Approved Terms of Reference stage. It was republished April 1, 2005 to update the tentative schedule for plan preparation.

Description of policy

On April 30th, 2004 the Minister of Natural Resources announced the Lake Nipigon Basin Signature Site Ecological Land Use and Resource Management Strategy. This document provides strategic direction for fisheries management. From this strategy, a fisheries management plan for all of Lake Nipigon and the Nipigon River will be developed.

Lake Nipigon is the 38th largest lake in the world and the largest lake contained entirely in the province of Ontario. At 484, 800 hectares, Lake Nipigon is the largest headwater to the Great Lakes St. Lawrence waterway. The deep, clear, unpolluted waters support a diverse fish community of 46 species that remains relatively unchanged since first surveyed over a century ago. The Lake Nipigon fishery supports a high quality subsistence, sport and commercial fishery. The deep cool waters produce lake trout and brook trout of memorable size. The warmer bays of the lake produce exceptionally sized northern pike and walleye.

The Nipigon River flows from the southeast corner of Lake Nipigon. The river is easily accessed via Highway 585. The greatest diversity of fish species (both native and exotic) within the Lake Nipigon watershed is associated with the Nipigon River. While brook trout is the most valued sport fish species on the river, other species include lake whitefish, lake trout, rainbow trout, northern pike, walleye, Chinook salmon and smelt. Sport and First Nation's subsistence fishing occurs year-round. There are three hydroelectric dams on the river.

The goal of the Lake Nipigon and Nipigon River Fisheries Management Plan is to ensure the maintenance of a healthy, world class, high-quality fishery.

The approved objectives, direction and strategies to be followed in the preparation of the Lake Nipigon and the Nipigon River Fisheries Management Plan are published in the Lake Nipigon Basin Signature Site Ecological Land Use and Resource Management Strategy. This strategy can be accessed on the internet at http://www.ontarioslivinglegacy.com/nipigon.html. An approved Terms of Reference and additional background information used in the preparation of the plan is available for public inspection at the Nipigon District Office.

Purpose of policy

To prepare a fisheries management plan that will provide management direction and tactics to protect, rehabilitate, and sustain aquatic ecosystems and fish populations in Lake Nipigon and the Nipigon River.

Other public consultation opportunities

Through the development of the Lake Nipigon Basin Signature Site Ecological Land Use and Resource Management Strategy, the public was provided with the opportunity to review and comment on all strategies at each developmental stage.

With respect to the fisheries management plan, an "Invitation to Participate" was provided to a mailing list including First Nations, interest groups, and members of the public. Advertisements were also posted in local newspapers inviting comment on the fisheries management plan beginning October 2004.

Members of the public are invited to submit their comments to the contact person listed below by December 31, 2004.

The tentative schedule for the management plan preparation, review and approval is as follows:

Invitation to Participate - October, 2004
Public Review of Draft Management Plan and Background Report - Fall 2005
Public Information Centres - Fall 2005
Public Inspection of Approved Fisheries Management Plan - Spring 2006