Muddy York Ice fishing Lake Nipissing
Lake Nipissing is in Fisheries Management Zone 11, up to 52 m deep (mean 5 m). Here's what Ontario's records say lives there, what's open through the ice season under the official rules, and how cold this winter has been so far.
We can't see the ice
Nothing on this page tells you the ice is safe. Check thickness yourself as you go, ask the hut operators and locals, and follow ice safety guidance from the Canadian Red Cross and the Lifesaving Society.
How cold this winter has been
Freezing degree-days add up how far below 0°C each day's average air temperature was. More usually means more ice, but currents, springs, snow cover and pressure cracks make ice uneven. This is weather, not an ice report.
What's open through the ice season
| Fish | Mid-January | Mid-February | March 10 | March 25 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Walleye January 1 to March 15 and third Saturday in May to October 15 | Open | Open | Open | Closed |
| Yellow perch January 1 to March 15 and third Saturday in May to October 15 | Open | Open | Open | Closed |
| Northern pike January 1 to third Sunday in March and third Saturday in May to December 31 | Open | Open | Open | Closed |
| Lake whitefish open all year | Open | Open | Open | Closed |
| Lake herring (cisco) see the rules | Check the rules | Check the rules | Check the rules | Check the rules |
From the Ontario Fishing Regulations Summary (Zone 11 and Lake Nipissing's own exceptions). Limits and size rules apply; see the official wording below.
Official wording: Lake Nipissing - Wasi Falls, waters of Lake Nipissing lying east of the east boundary of… · Lake Nipissing - including the waters of the French River from the Chaudière and the Lit…
Part of the lake has extra rules: Lake Nipissing - Iron Island vicinity, 100 metres around shore: Fish sanctuary - no fishing from March 16 to Friday before third Saturday in May
Where anglers head
Common starting points on Lake Nipissing include North Bay, Callander Bay, Sturgeon Falls. Conditions differ a lot from bay to bay, so ask locally about the exact area you plan to fish.
Before you go out
- Check the ice with a spud bar or auger as you walk, not just at the shore.
- Stay away from pressure ridges, river mouths, bridges, docks and springs, where ice is often thinner.
- Wear a flotation suit or PFD, carry ice picks and a throw rope, and never go alone.
- Tell someone where you're going and when you'll be back.
- Hut operators rent heated huts on many big lakes and know their ice; using one is the easiest way to start.
Ice season in the app
When the ice season is on, Muddy York Fishing adds an Ice fishing mode: lakes near you with how cold the winter has been, what's open today under the official rules, and a fishing-weather outlook. It never rates the ice.
Start your free 7-day trialFrequently asked
When does ice fishing start on Lake Nipissing?
It depends on the weather each winter, not a date. Ice forms after a long run of freezing weather and is never uniform. Hut operators and local reports are the best guide; never go out on ice you haven't checked.
What can you catch ice fishing on Lake Nipissing?
Ontario's lake records list walleye, yellow perch, northern pike, lake whitefish, lake herring (cisco) in Lake Nipissing. Under the current rules, walleye, yellow perch, northern pike, lake whitefish can be fished in mid-winter.
What fishing zone is Lake Nipissing in?
Fisheries Management Zone 11. Lake Nipissing also has its own rules in the regulations, shown on this page.
Do I need a fishing licence to ice fish?
Yes, the same Outdoors Card and fishing licence as any other fishing in Ontario, unless you're exempt (for example under 18 or 65 and older) or it's a free fishing weekend.
All ice fishing lakes · Zone 11 regulations · Fishing licence · Winter fishing near Toronto