Nipigon River facts for kids
The Nipigon River is an important river located in Northwestern Ontario, Canada. It stretches for about 48 kilometers (30 miles) and varies in width from 50 to 200 meters (164 to 656 feet). This river connects Lake Nipigon to Nipigon Bay, which is part of Lake Superior. As it flows, the river drops from a height of 260 meters (853 feet) down to 183 meters (600 feet).
History of the Nipigon River
The Nipigon River has a rich history, especially when it comes to fishing. It was once famous for its many large brook trout. However, over the years, four large dams were built along the river. These dams changed the river's flow and led to a big drop in the number of brook trout.
The four dams built on the Nipigon River are:
- Cameron Falls Dam, built in 1918
- Virgin Falls Dam, built in 1925
- Alexander Dam, built in 1930
- Pine Portage Dam, built in 1950
Modern Uses of the River
Today, three of the dams on the Nipigon River are used to create hydroelectric power. These are the Cameron Falls Dam, Alexander Dam, and Pine Portage Dam. In the year 2000, these dams produced a huge amount of electricity, about 2,144 gigawatt-hours.
While the dams are great for making power, they make it impossible for boats to travel all the way between Lake Nipigon and Lake Superior. Even with the dams, the Nipigon River remains a very popular spot for fishing.
Fishing on the Nipigon River
The Nipigon River is famous for its amazing fishing. In 1915, a person named Dr. Cook caught the world record for the largest brook trout. This type of trout is also called speckled trout or coaster trout.
Four years later, in 1919, Prince Edward, Prince of Wales (who later became King Edward VIII) visited the Nipigon River to fish. He caught a trout that was so special, it was preserved and is now on display at the National Archives of Canada.
The river is also home to other types of fish that swim upstream at different times of the year. These include lake trout, rainbow trout, and salmon. Fish can travel about 15 miles (24 kilometers) from the mouth of the river system before they reach the first dam. The areas of water between the dams are also excellent places to fish, especially for large speckled trout and lake trout.
Fishing season on the Nipigon River usually starts in early May and continues until the river freezes over at the end of November. You can fish from a boat or from the shore at several good spots along the river.
