Nipigon’s Untapped Brook Trout   By   Mark Romanack              
It’s no secret that brook trout are a species commonly found in remote areas. Highly prized by anglers, this member of the “char” family only lives in waters that are crystal clear and pollution free.             There are few places anglers can drive to and expect to catch lots of brook trout and or trophy fish. Lake Nipigon in western Ontario is arguably the best “drive to” brook trout destination in North America.             Fisheries managers keep tabs on Nipigon’s brook trout by implementing a variety of “special regulations” designed to insure stable trout populations. These regulations include closing the season while brook trout are spawning or implementing gear restrictions mandating barbless hooks. Other ways biologists keep the brook trout harvest in check is by reducing the daily bag limit and implementing minimum size limits. To harvest a brook trout on Lake Nipigon the fish must be a minimum of 22 inches in length, which is a testament to this amazing fishery!
 WHERE IS THE ACTION?            
The mammoth size of Lake Nipigon and the countless islands and rocky shorelines create ideal brook trout habitat. The islands and shorelines in the south-central part of the lake including the famed Shakespear Island hold exceptional concentrations of brook trout.
 WHEN TO GO            
Early spring is the most productive time of year to fish brook trout on Nipigon. Immediately following ice out until early June marks the time frame that brook trout invade the countless islands and shorelines. Brook trout require colder water than most other species of fish.  As the lake temperature on Nipigon slowly rises above 55 degrees, brook trout simply slink away into the cooler depths and become more difficult to locate.
 TACKLE TIPS            
 Because Lake Nipigon’s brook trout are going to be found in shallow water, making long casts with small lures is the most practical way to target them. Brook trout will hit a wealth of baits, but in-line spinners like the famous Yakima Rooster Tail or Vibric are hard to beat. These lures give off a lot of flash and are produced in a host of color patterns designed with trout fishing in mind. Other good lure choices include small spoons like the Little Cleo and jigs tipped with soft plastic swim bodies.            
To get the most from these smaller lures, it’s best to fish with six to eight pound test fluorocarbon line. Vicious Pro Elite is formulated to have less memory than other fluorocarbon lines, making it ideal for casting applications.
 SUMMING IT UP            
Anyone who enjoys wilderness fishing has probably dreamed of catching a trophy class brook trout. Lake Nipigon stands alone when it comes to producing lots of trout and also as a destination that might just produce the next world record!
 IF YOU GO: www.NWOTA.com www.pashalake.com www.gofishinontario.com