The Other Mighty Mighty

Brookies on the Nipigon River

In Ontario, we are blessed with such a vast number of rivers and lakes that it would be impossible to fish them all in many lifetimes. Some of them are quite well-known, others less so, but every one of them has its distinct uniqueness. One of the most well-known for its superb fishing opportunities is the mighty Niagara River, which connects Lake Erie with Lake Ontario.

Somewhat less well-known, mainly due to its relative remoteness, but just as mighty, is the Nipigon River, which runs into the northwest corner of Lake Superior. Although the former runs through largely urbanized southern Ontario and the latter is very much a wilderness river, both are big, featuring rugged rapids and deep, swift runs. What’s more, both can boast world record fish: the IGFA All-Tackle brook trout (14lb 8oz) caught by Dr. J.W. Cook in the Nipigon in 1915, and an IGFA 6lb line-class brown trout caught in the Niagara by Glen Taggart in 1996.

With excellent road access, most of the Nipigon is fishable, or at least accessible. However, because the river is huge, with deep gorges and turbulent white water, and because its water levels can rise suddenly and rapidly due to hydroelectric dam activity, visiting anglers should hire a guide. One of the most experienced, Gord Ellis, operates out of Quebec Lodge, which is located in the hamlet of Red Rock, just a short drive from where the Nipigon flows into Lake Superior. The lodge offers superb multi-species fishing opportunities in the big lake and the rivers of the area, including the Nipigon.

Ellis has been fishing the Nipigon for decades, with both conventional and fly tackle, and knows the river intimately. He is a well-known outdoors columnist and broadcaster and has his finger on the pulse of the fishing in the area, especially the Nipigon brook trout.

Nipigon brookies grow bigger and stronger than those inhabiting lesser waters—a consequence of having to fight the river’s heavy currents and abrupt fluctuations in water level in the sections between the hydro dams. It’s not surprising that the Nipigon is home to the world record. Gord is well aware of this and catches trophies on a regular basis.

But there’s more to the Nipigon than its fabulous trout. There are excellent opportunities for fly fishers to target a multitude of other species: runs of salmon, steelhead, and lake trout from Lake Superior in the spring and fall, as well as resident pike, walleye, and smallmouth bass. What more could a fly fisher wish for? So get yourself to the mighty Nipigon River and make a date with Gord. The rest will take care of itself.

About Mark Melnyk

Currently, Mark is the host and producer of The New Fly Show. With a passion of fly fishing, the shows goal is to help both novice and veteran fly fishers everywhere by giving them a top-quality fly fishing series that will make them better anglers. 

Recommended Articles

Nipigon River Salmon

Catching chinook salmon in Northwestern Ontario with Nipigon River Adventures

5 Places to Shore Fish

Fish’n Canada shows you where to go shore fishing in Ontario.

Long Nose Gar

A Fish for the Bucket List

Top 8 Places to Ice Fish in Ontario

Ice fishing in Ontario offers diverse catches in serene winter settings.

Don’t Be Afraid Of Muskies

Muskies are fish of 10,000 casts and are found in large bodies of water in Northwestern Ontario.

St. Francis Titans

Fishing the Original Muskie Capital of the World

Irregular Lake Trio

Fly in to Woodland Caribou Provincial Park to fish for trophy muskie and northern pike.

Top 5 Baits for Smallmouth and Largemouth Bass

What baits do you use to target bass? Find out why these 5 are the best!

Steelhead and Salmon of Northern Ontario

Ontario's north is home to tributaries of Lake Superior and Lake Huron—and many species of salmon and steelhead

Perfect Fall Fishing

Fishing Bass in Kawarthas & Northumberland

5 Keys To Canadian Muskies

The fish of 10,000 casts; an elusive predator fish with legend and lore.

The Tigers of Sunset Country

The most picturesque of all freshwater fish.

Abitibi Walleye Experience

Fishing for Walleye, Northern Pike and Jumbo Perch

Lake Temagami Fishing

Sharpshooting Trophy Lake Trout At Loon Lodge.

3 Surefire Strategies for Canadian Muskies

Fishing for Ontario Musky

Structure or Cover?

Learn the Difference to Catch More Fish

Salmon Of The Soo

Fishing for Atlantic Salmon on the St. Marys River.

Difficult Day Walleye

Learn a few techniques to address the sometimes challenging fishing conditions for walleye.

Fly-in Fishing

Why You Need to Book a Fly-in Fishing Trip

Eating Northern Pike

The Best Recipe to Cook This Fish