Chief and Council have approved spear fishing for six (6) days only: Between Monday, April 27, 2026 and Saturday, May 2, 2026. Spearing outside of these dates is not allowed and may lead to enforcement under the NFN Fisheries Law.
Watch this video to learn from Perry and Laurie McLeod-Shabogesic as they share traditional teachings about spear fishing and the importance of harvesting in a respectful, sustainable way. portal.nfn.ca > Videos
All NFN members who want to take part must register online or in person with the Fisheries Department. Registration Form
Each registered person can have up to three others in their boat. Youth can participate if they are supervised by an adult. After spearing, members are asked to report their catch using the Official Reporting Form
Those who let our staff sample their fish will be entered into a prize draw!
No nets are allowed. The spring gillnet moratorium is still in place until Friday, May 15, 2026, to protect spawning walleye. This is an important rule for keeping Lake Nipissing’s fishery healthy for future generations.
Since spearing happens at night, please follow all boating and safety rules. Staff from the Lands, Natural Resources, Environment, and Economic Development departments will be present to monitor during this time window.
If members of NFN wish to volunteer to monitor during this event, please contact the Natural Resources Department to add your name. A drone may be used to observe from above, and the MNRF has been informed in case non-members attempt to spear fish.
Walleye Harvest and Mercury Guidance
Members are encouraged to harvest only what their household needs for food, using respectful and selective harvesting practices (leaving females and large fish). Based on recent mercury testing, members should be mindful of walleye size and consumption frequency. Fish larger than 50cm should not be targeted or consumed based on the Environment Department’s mercury analysis, and are better served for the population’s recruitment.
Elders, pregnant people, those who may become pregnant, and young children are advised to follow the mercury guidance provided by the Fisheries Department when choosing which fish to keep and how often walleye is eaten. Selecting smaller walleye (less than 40cm), sharing fish within households, and avoiding waste all help support both community health and long‑term sustainability of Lake Nipissing’s fishery.
