Lake Nippissing...sleeping on the ice?

[DaWaitaz]

My freinds and I are going to stay at Chilly Willies Ice Fishing Adventures in North Bay..
Staying in an overnight shanty for 3 days.  Heated huts with stove, privy and bunks.

Has anyone that has stayed in a place like this?

Do you have any stories?

How about any Nippissing fishing tips??
Love to hear them....getting pumped up to go!

[Woodsman]

 I have stayed at another operators place twice. Nice hut & a good time but fishing slow. Second & last time there, the same but fishing slower.
Never dealt with your operator but have heard some good comments about there. If you have not already, do a search on some of the Ontario boards. A good time can be had with the right friends but meeting new friends could be a gamble do to the close quarters. Also do to the close quarters on shore showers are nice. It can get a litttle gamey after 2-3 days with 4-6 people in a hut.
Huts 150-200 yards from the camp in 15'-20' doesn't equal good fishing.

Best Wishes for a Great Time

[Sawlog]

WHere abouts are they located? what bay?  Stayed at Glen Echo several times in Callender Bay and a private one out at the mouth of the bay Good times for sure, we had a simple rule for meals, everyone brings in a meal (supper, breaky) that was hearty enough to feed everyone   Eat like kings and fish and drink 24/7
Problem with the majority of the bungalos is they aren't too far away from the main lodge Like Woodsman said the fishin can be slower, so get out and explore if thats the case, drive, sled, walk whatever.  You will have fun, enjoy.  Tip, don't drill a hole near the door

[DaWaitaz]

Address is North Bay....so not sure where that is, near Callendar. MAN THATS A BIG LAKE from the looks of it....hopefully I will learn more of the geography while I'm there.

Going with four guys.  We normally go to Michigans UP Keeweenaw (portage lake ) for Pike, walleye.   Thought we would try something different.  Getting older and fatter so an overnight place is attractive....the eating and drinking idea is what probably captivates us most....the proposed menu and food item list we have so far is probably enough to feed 6 people for a week. ha.   The operator is giving us a good deal and is very plesant on the phone...he is giving us one day for free....12 x 20 shacks and the use of a day shack each day.....I suppose that is so we can go out for perch and whitefish perhaps...we will see.   Hope to hook up with something though...our normal fish trip over the last 6 years have not produced any significant  numbers of keeper fish but it's always a memorible time.
We usually pull a voyager with an old scorpion snowmobile I keep running (mostly on duct tape and prayer)  If we get a good idea of what to do we may try to strike out on our own someday and venture out to different areas.

[sturgeon]

Hi Guys

I just got back from Nipissing, Didn't stay at an operators because my brother lives on the lake near Sturgeon Falls. We fished the Lake near the French River, not close to Callander for the people who don't know the lake. The first day we caught 18 eyes between 6 of us. All below the slot size. The other 3 days we caught 3-6 eyes between 3 of us, 2 of which we around 20 inches. Keep in mind we only fished from 3-5:30 each day.

The eyes seem to turn at those times. Fish we being caught in about 25-30 feet of water. Most caught on jigs with minnows right on the bottom. I had my vex the others didn't and I could entice the hit jigging raps and other lures up to 3 feet off the bottom.

Perch are not fished alot on this lake and there are some nice ones. As foe Whitefish there are some, we used to catch them half way down on minnows.

That lake is huge, if you go out bring a GPS because if it starts to snow you can disorientated very quick even if you know the lake well.

Good Luck

Sturgeon

[DaWaitaz]

Can someone explain the slot limit to me?
I have  a copy of the MNR rules it says:
Walleye,
Size limit :  zero (0) between 40cm and 60 cm in length.....

Forgive me for being a dunderhead but....this mean you can keep anything (2 fish with a conservation license) under 40 and over 60 yes, but what about a minimum size limit? ....can you keep a 5 incher...wouldn't want to, but I couldn't see where there is a minimum size limit.

The GPS is a good Idea....I once stood on Gogebic lake and couldn't see anything....NOTHING... COMPLETE WHITE for a solid hour....the sky blended in with the surface of the ice and the snowflakes were as big as cotton balls, couldn't see shore or any other point of reference(except for my goofy brother-in-law)... VERY weird dizzy feeling. It snowed 14 inches in a big hurry that day, wow...The weight of the snow pushed the ice down far enough for water to flood up through the holes and into our portable shanty which then froze solid...made it weight about a 300 lbs more and dragging it off nearly killed us with fatique and frostbite.
I live in southern Mich and a lot of people down here think we get snow, It's nothing compared to the areas north of the Straights that's for sure.  I think we've caught 5 keeper walleye in 4 years....so sounds like Nipp would be an improvement even if the fishing was slow....

[sturgeon]

you got it! anything in between 40 and 60 cm must be thrown back anything under or over can be kept. Most of our were 33-39 cm. Perfect for eating.

We went out on the sleds but their were truck out there, There was about 12-14 inches. I do not recommend you to bring your vehicles on the ice if you dont know the area.

Good luck and let us know how you do.

Sturgeon

[firstfish]

I spent a week there one day...at least it seemed that way.
-If you are sleeping on the ice understand that if you sleep on bottom bunk you freeze and if you choose the top you burn, no in-between.
- Be the first in the outhouse each day, gets pretty steap at the end of the day needs to freeze over night to make it bearable.
- GPS is good, when it snows you can't see shore or anything for that matter.
- Lots of fishin, even in bed you can fish.
- Had tons to eat and drink...to much the wife says.
- Other people around make it interesting...poker games...golf...footbal l...special drinks, etc.
By all means take pictures and enjoy, we had a blast!
Firstfish

[DaWaitaz]

Sure sounds fun...I'm excited.   It's going to be 40 degrees tomorrow in Battle Creek Mich.  lousy weather for someone who wants hardwater.  My b-in-law and I have assembled a really nice set up for ice fishing with the shanty, snowmobile, vexilar, camera, power auger etc...etc....and now it's spring in January....ice is gone...my grass is actually turning green??  How dissappointing.

HMMMM...so I need to figure out if I want top bunk or bottom....tough choice.

I probably will have to choose the bottom....I looked into my crystal ball and see much drinking in my future.  I plan to buy a large quanity of some wierd Canadian beer I've never heard of and keep myself well oiled....don't have the oppourtunity very often on account of having to be responsible all the time.... I tend to over indulge when I get away from my wife and kids.   I'm hoping that if we have a good time...we will intice a larger group to go on a yearly basis..Play Texas hold 'em, eat drink and be merry.   

Thanks for all the comments...keep them coming.
Brian

[sturgeon]

Good luck and enjoy the canadian beer, maybe try some Molson Export, Labatts blue, Alexander Keiths.

Take lots of pics, if you have a digitial,looking forward to hearing how your trip went.

DH

[Grimace]

Export, Keiths and Moosehead do it for me.

[Rochbassman]

Heading up to Nippising 24th of Feb for three days. Have a few questions concerning the trip.

What type of bait is available? I realize minnows are primary bait, but is the use of maggots,wax worms and mousies common practice and readily available at tackle stores?

Location of the nearest place to purchase beer? (Staying next to the Waltonian). Ballpark figure on current cost Canadian Beer? Recommendations of a couple beers to try (light and full bodied)

Currently have a package plan ,but might arrive earlier than expected the 24th and was looking for recommendation on outfitter that has daily hut rentals on south shore within 10 miles or so of eastern shore.

Any tips in reference to colors ,lures or presentations currently working for walleyes and perch.

Thanks
Rochbassman

Have a group of 16 coming up to enjoy the great outdoors. Currently no ice in this area

[DaWaitaz]

I"M BACK FROM NIPPISSING

I had a great time.  Fishing was slow  but to be honest I couldn't have had a better time....IF YOU GO..look up chilly willy's ice fishing adventures and book stay with him.  I can't imagine anyone taking better care of us than Scott Chalmers of Chilly Willy's...A couple of things that was heavy on my mind was...Am I paying too much, Am I staying where I can get fish...basically am I getting the most out of my dollar.  I really feel that I did.  Cabins were immaculate and the service great. price was 168.00 Canadian each person for Thursday noon to sunday noon (4 guys)

 I only caught a couple fish 1 pike, 1 walleye...both were eaters. our cabin  caught several fish and that seemed to be case with everyone we talked to.  Had a few come off at the hole or run with the bait but not hook up.  Boy Canadians sure pay a lot for beer yes, and smokes too.  expect to pay about 15 us dollars for a cheap 12 pack of beer...cigs are 8.00 a pack Canadian...Ate all of the fish I wanted, Couple of the pike were nice sized.  as far as I know there aren't many wax worms or maggots to be found....minnows only, minnows for pike, minnows for perch, minnows for walleye thats it ....the lady at the bait store said she never heard of wigglers?..bizarre.  I think most guys don't really get too caught up with lures and size and color...minnow on a hook and your off, but I only spent two days there so perhaps others can advise more.....I will post some pics soon.  I am definitely going back next year.

[AzuluSpookd]

Good job!

Glad you came up and had a great time.

[Sawlog]

Right on, ya had a great time with friends and caught a few fish now next time do a little more exploring out there and hook up with one of us local Ontario pike and walleye specialists if ya want size and #'s   Ya forgot the taxes too   looking forward to a few pics

[Hijinks]

We were up there this past weekend from Roch and Buffalo. Brought our own gear and slammed the eyes, perch, herring.

Get away from the operators and you'll do fine.