JimC

Although our May29-June4 vacation only yielded four Walleye (three under the slot), and virtually No Perch, we did notice much better than normal Pike action. They were also generally in that nice 23-25 inch 'eater' size (for those who enjoy feasting on Pike, which I do). They were generally very aggressive and right on the bottom (since we were targeting Walleye) ... we also caught 3 or 4 really nice size, feisty silver bass. We were in NW Arm of Nipissing, not Calender Bay, but thought I'd respond to your question, anyway.

I'm sure you have stats to support that, but I can tell you for sure the Perch numbers in NW Arm (Cache Bay to Collins Bay) where we have fished for many, many years has almost totally dried up. In the spring we used spinners and worms, and buy a flat (40 dozen) going in. Five years ago, we almost always ran out near the end of our week, due primarily to a LOT of worm-stealing Perch 'hits' ... little 3inchers to nice 10-11 inch eaters. This year, we left about 3/4's of that flat with the Camp owner, where we were stayin. We 'boated' a grand total of THREE Perch (5 guys, 2 boats, 6 days fishing about 6-8 hours a day). Others in Camp, and some we talked to on the water were having the same results. So if the Perch population on Nipissing is high, as you say, then it must be REALLY good somewhere, but not where we spend our vacation dollars.

well huey ... sorry about your luck, but you made me feel a bit better, cause you know the old saying ... "misery loves company" . sounds so much like what our group of five (two boats) experienced for a full week (May 29- June 4th); there have been years past where we came up to our usual haunt (NW quadrant of Lake Nipissing ... Cache Bay ... Hardwoods) and THE FREAKIN TREES HADN'T EVEN BUDDED YET !! ... this year it was like mid-July, the shads were all over the place, water was too warm to swim in (a little exaggeration, but not by much), and Walleye were scarce as a good TV signal. Should our group decide to return to the area in 2011, for our 13th consecutive year (?), I am hoping for about 3ft more water, and temperatures closer to normal for late May / early June.

hmmmm, thanks Gerritt; however, that only means that I am a REALLY poor fisherman I guess ... OR, maybe the really large flocks have migrated to the south shore, and are just starting to do their damage, like what they did in and around Cache Bay to the Perch and Bluegill population. As a matter of fact, on our recent trip (to Cache and Harwoods area) we didn't see many at all, which was the first time in the last four or five years that i can say that.

French River is getting more water ... from 154cm below historical ave. to 94cm today. getting it from Nipissing (obviously), which has gone from 60 > 62 > 63cm (today) below ave over the last three weeks. We fished for a week (May 29-June 4)in and around Cache Bay and Hardwoods, and our normal 8-10ft of water was more like 6-7 ft. Plus water temp was 73deg, so Walleye were long gone. For once-a-year vacationers returning to the same spot each year, it was disappointing, and with no one around to help steer (guide) us elsewhere, we just sucked it up, caught a few Pike, and ate a lot of chicken and beef. Good luck on your trip.

maybe I missed it, but you didn't mention what Lake you saw this in ... therefore, I will assume it was Lake Nipissing and that Pike was simply vacuuming 'shadfly carcasses' from the surface. Having recently spent a week fishin on Lake Nip, and having never, ever, ever seen so many shads and layer upon layer of floating carcasses at this time of year, I also was amazed at how many surface splashes and trailing ripples we saw. So I'm sayin the annual 'shadfly hatch' on Nipissing over hundreds of years, has made this chow-down event one that is enjoyed by hatchlings and adults (including Pikers) alike. ok that's my story, and I'm stickin to it.

as a 2-weeks per year (one May/June and one in Aug) vacationer to Lake Nipissing, I first noticed large, and I mean large, flocks of hunting cormorants about 5 years ago. We fish exclusively in Cache Bay to Hardwoods area in NW quadrant of Nip. strangely, we have seen a dramatic drop-off in both Perch and particularly Bluegill over these five years. In fact I can't remember the last time we hooked into a Sunfish. Our Walleye luck has diminished proportionately to the lack of panfish in the area we fish. Coincidence? Now I have seen pictures on a different thread of some really nice Bluegill surrounding about 6 or 7 Walleye 'keepers'. I am pretty confident these were not from the NW arm of Nipissing, but I could be wrong. I am curious to know if Cormorants in large numbers have been sited in the Calendar Bay, South shore area of the Lake? In the shallow 4 - 7ft waters were I fish, 'Cormorants vs Fish' is not a fair fight. these pests are native to the ocean and are equipped to dive deep. Shooting fish in a barrel comes to mind. They are protected but I am surprised that the 'locals' including the "commercial fishing" folks haven't done some sutle interventions to protect the fishery. Gawd knows our present Provincial government powers to be are unwilling and incapable of making the right decision in this matter.

hoops and drifter ... I see you've taken a bit of grief over your beverage choices ... maybe Molson XXX, or CANADIAN would have played better. hehe ... funny that no one has jumped on the "Dr. Pepper" member of your group. hmmmmm ... oh, yeah he was the 'designated driver' eh. haha anyway, I commented earlier but again ... really amazing week you guys had, and I have enjoyed living your adventure at Eddie North's vicariously. You won't often find a more timely, well worded, pictures a plenty (sized to load quickly), combo that tops this thread. Well done guys ... oh, are you goin back. ;-)

good questions, Jim. I was wondering the same thing myself. and of course Iron Island is a big island ... if you do go out there, where is the best place to fish? are there any shoals or structure to watch for? I bet someone on this forum has the answers?

I trolled a red and white one with a dewey for a couple of hours, no hits, but maybe should have given it more time in the water during our week on NW Nipissing. Since Walleye are usually right on the bottom, I had sufficient weight to get it down there, but is it possible during the 'shad hatch' Walleye feed while suspended or even surface-feed at times? My buddy wasn't convinced the Walleye even feed on shads? I dunno, do they? ... if I had caught one, I guess I could have checked the stomach?

crosshairs ... thanks for clarifying the 'orange floats' (are they gill nets) question. Now that I think about it, we heard they had expanded the area for the Pike Derby due to extreme low water this year, so it all makes sense now. Also, since only the very occasional Walleye was being caught in the Pickerel Rock over to Hardwoods and beyond, it wouldn't make sense for the First Nations to waste their netting time in those areas. It seemed to us that Walleye in any numbers had long since left the shallow waters for their summer habitat (wherever that may be) by the time we got there (May 29th). Cool comments regarding the Sturgeon ... I hope you start a new thread about that and post pictures. Appears to be lots of folks willing to help with the technical aspects of posting pictures if you need it (I haven't tried it myself, being a relatively new poster).

I am curious to know if anyone on this forum has fished around Iron Island for Walleye this year, or even last year, and if so, what was their level of success? If you have read any of my recent posts on other Lake Nipissing related threads, you will know that my buddies and I were fishing the NW area (mostly around the Hardwoods) last week, and came up nearly empty. Lots of Pike action though. I am returning to the same area late August, this time with Family Vacation, as the main priority, but we do rent a boat and try to get in some fishing, as well as beach time. Several years ago we ventured out to Iron Island with a couple other small boats on a calm day, and managed some nice sized Perch and a couple of Walleye. A year later, we had less success. The last few years, including last year, we were told my others in camp not to bother, as the fishing has totally dropped off. I was also told that the reason there are no Walleye left around Iron Island is that over use of gill nets by "commercial" fishing has ravaged that area. just sayin ... Last week we came close to heading out there, but 40 minutes is a long run for us, and anyone who fishes Nipissing knows what can happen to a glassy, flat lake, if about 5 minutes, when the wind suddenly starts whipping. With the area we are in at only 5 - 7 feet deep this year, the prospect of seeing Walleye around where we rent in August is likely slim and none. Is it worth trying Iron Island again? At least I know there are no hidden rocks or shoals between point A and B. any feedback would be appreciated.

Thanks for the feedback, Rob. I have a few similar looking lures in my box, and almost put one on in desperation to drag around for awhile when nothing was hitting our spinner / worm combo. Wish I had at least tried it. I will for sure next year. Does anyone use those Red and White June Bugs (by Lucky Strike, I think) any more? When I was a kid in North Bay, my Dad and Uncles fished the Goose Islands, and limited each time out. That's all they used, tipped with a shiner or sometimes a fat dew worm. Of course, there were way more pickerel back then (45-50 years ago) than there are now, so probably most anything would get clobbered? just curious.

again, Congrats on your fine catch and thanks for sharing the pictures. Rob, I am rather new here so not sure if I should expect a response when I ask a question (per my earlier post)? My buddies and I come up for one week every year, so we are done on Nipissing till 2011. We go to the same area, and fish the same way. ie. spinners and worms, trolling, and weighted to stay on the bottom. I am guessing you were catching those Walleye's in a different part of the Lake than we were? Calender Bay? I am not interested if finding out where your 'honey holes' are, but would appreciate knowing the general area. I am also interested to know what depth you were fishing in, as we were stuck in pretty consistent 7-8 ft of water, where normally it is around 10ft. Maybe the NW area is being over fished commercially? We saw nets strung in one of our fav spots for the first time. Not sure if this is First Nations nets or if there is other commercial fishing allowed on the Lake? thanks

holy crap 'fish' ... I am a long time 'reader' but rather new 'poster', and this is maybe the BEST fishing report I have ever had the pleasure of reading / viewing on this forum. Honest dialogue and pictures of some amazing Pike and Walleye As you said, with only one week of vacation to do some 'Me time' it is clear you took full advantage. Thanks for sharing this amazing account of your Northern adventure. btw, my friends and i were fishing Lake Nipissing (north west quadrant) at the same time, and although we had some really good Pike action compared to normal (for us) at that time of year, it was nothing compared to the size and numbers you guys enjoyed. (we got maybe 2 to 6 pikers per day in the 23 - 30 inch range on average). As for our Walleye catch this year, where just a few years ago, our group boated (and mostly released) 150+, all I can say is

man, those are some Great pictures !! My buddies and I were fishing last week in North West Arm and did terrible in the Walleye dept. Used half worms on spinners, trolling most of the time. Lots of 'shads' in the water there. If I may ask, what part of Nipissing (in general) were you in?

I just returned from our annual week's vacation, fishing mostly the North West Hardwoods, Pickerel Rock area of Lake Nipissing. In many places, the water was thick with shadfly larvae; and there were lots of adults on the outside of our cottage. We fished hard from Sat (May 29th) thru yesterday (Fri June 4th) ... two boats, five fisherman, and we didn't see our first Walleye till Wed. ... but what a beautiful 11 inch specimen she was! we got blanked on Thursday, then things seemed to start picking up yesterday, with a 13in, 15in, and one 20in beauty that would have made enough for at least a decent dinner on our last night of vacation. Missed at least two other solid Walleye hits, one right at the boat (I can still see that darn white tipped tail, as she spit the hook). ... BUT, despite being tempted to 'cheat' on that 20inch'er, especially, after seeing gill nets spread wide in one of our favourite spots around Umbrella Is., our buddies in the 2nd boat returned our ONE and only 'slot' Walleye for the week, to swim another day ... probably right into that damn gill net we saw between the two orange-red marker buoys. We were hoping for one more 15in 'keeper' but it wasn't to be. So the five of us got a 'taste' but not a very filling one. For the record, we were using that same chartreuse go-getter, mentioned earlier in this thread among some pictures that I am very envious of. ;-) We used gold ones too, bottom bounced with jigs when there was a drift, had some nice lively worms to tempt those Walleye, but I digress ... this thread is about 'Mayflys on Nipissing' and we saw plenty. I was born in North Bay, living in S.Ont. now, so I know 'plenty of shads' when I see them. I also know that the July 1st weekend is when the big hatch historically happens ... you didn't need a calender to tell what the date was over many years in The Bay. The big heat of the last full week of May, shot the temps up and the little bug*ers came early (unlucky for us). oh, we did get plenty of Pike action (and the usual sheephead, mudcats, a few bass (large, small, silver ... no rock), surprisingly only 'a few' Perch, and we had the best weather we've seen in 15 years going to the same place this time of year. Sure would have been nice to latch onto some nice 'eyes' but it wasn't to be ... I guess, we'll have to wait till next year.

thanks for the encouraging Walleye reports, zman and Nipfisher. We should have our lines in the water in about 48 hours, so please save a few for us.

thanks pikeguy, I know where you mean now. We mostly fish along both sides of Little Oak Island, and the "Umbrella Island" I was referring to would be off your picture in the top right corner. I have not ventured over to Hay Narrows, but one guy who comes up in August (when I go back with wife and kids) goes over there and says its very treacherous. He is very experienced, but still, last August he limped back to camp on his 5hp kicker, after taking out the prop on his main motor. I like catching fish, but also like to relax and not have to worry about hitting rocks in unknown waters. We've generally done ok most springs in the Walleye dept, but this year with the heat and low water, we might be too late? Guess we'll find out for sure in a few days. I'll post some sort of report when we get back, around end of next week (June 6th or thereabouts). Hopefully I'll have a picture or two worth sharing?

Historical Lows ? same as 1999? whatever ... what bothers me is that I have been regularly checking this forum (specific to Lake Nipissing) since the Walleye opener, and not hearing much news, or seeing many pictures about 'howz the fishing been' ? My buddies and I have been coming up to Nipissing for the last 14 years for a week in late May / early June, so that includes 1999. We are back again in 4 more sleeps. I don't have a good recollection of how we did that prior low-water year, but I think it was pretty poor. Please throw us a bone or two ... eg. We fished around the Hardwoods for two days and caught one perch or "We limited in 15" Walleye before Breakfast" Is it that Dead in NW Arm of Lake Nipissing this year? Should we plan to bring full meals for six days, or maybe hope for ONE lousy feed of Pickerel for the five of us? Please ... throw me a bone ... anyone?

Public Works and Government Services Canada just posted the latest water levels, and lower again that a week ago. So in the old vernacular ... Nipissing is down approx. 2 feet, and the French (Dry Pine Bay) down 4.5 feet versus "historical average". I assume they mean 'average at this time of year', or is it? Starting this weekend, my friends and I will be in the area for most of next week, in and around Cache Bay over to Pickerel Rock , The Hardwoods, (Little Oak) and beyond, giving it our all. Wish us luck

pikeguy ... just wondering where you shot those pictures. The background looks a lot to me like the area (to the right) from Don's Island out towards Umbrella Island (even though the Umbrella pic on the inside is long gone), then Pickerel Rock beyond that? Am I close?

good to know ... I wasn't really suggesting "blame" needs to be assigned to anyone this year ... perhaps with next to No Snow they had little choice it what we are faced with now. btw, just came across THIS awesome picture, that shows the historical norm water lines, and what might have been perfect spawning bed for Walleye in other years.

I found a site that has a "live" Beach Cam. http://www.torbay.net/ This is off Lakeshore Dr. in North Bay. Years ago, I think they lost most of the dock that is pictured, due to HIGH water levels. Gotta love Mother Nature, or is it the 'mothers' that control inflows and outflows to / from Lake Nip?

good advice ... and a little story About 20 yrs ago, I rented a cottage on the NW Arm (of Lake Nipissing) for the first time, and after getting unpacked and settled, I jumped in the rented 18ft cedar strip with a trusty 15hp Merc and made a bee-line with my 5 yr old son for the Hardwoods - Little Oak area. Heard there was sometimes good fishing there. Fished along the east shore, caught a Pike and had a blast doing it. So back to camp we went, full speed of course, and following the EXACT same route, or so I thought. Well ... as I now know, in normal water levels there is a nasty (mostly hidden) rock line on the East side of the Hardwoods out towards Little Oak. All of a sudden ... KBOOOOMMMMMM ... motor kicks up so violently, that the top becomes disengaged, and becomes airborne. I can see it to this day, ten or more feet in the air flipping over and over then landing flat (top) side up in the lake .. and floating. Well the motor is still running believe it or not ... my son is eating an apple and doesn't seem to know anything happened ... he is loving the outing. So I gingerly turn the boat around after having the presence of mind to 'tilt' the motor, and carefully capture the motor top in the landing net, all the while avoiding the rock shoal that just about got my lunch. Snapped it back on, and away we go. Back at the dock, the skeg is a little bruised, but the motor was undamaged and served us well for the rest of our week. True story folks ... so when on Nipissing make sure your motor is set to kick up, just in case there is a surprise in store. Good fishing.