About The Nipigon River
The Nipigon River is the heart of the community and one of the most legendary waterways in Canada. Flowing from Lake Nipigon into the northern edge of Lake Superior, it winds through rugged cliffs, old-growth forests and deep canyons that reveal the raw power of Northern Ontario’s landscape.
For generations this river has been a vital route for travel, trade and tradition. Long before roads or railways, Indigenous peoples used the Nipigon as a natural highway linking the interior lakes to the Great Lake. Later, it became an essential corridor for fur traders and voyageurs who followed its strong currents toward the Superior shore. Even today, standing on the riverbank, you can feel that deep sense of history carried on the water.
The Nipigon River is best known among anglers worldwide as the tributary where the world-record brook trout was caught. In 1915, local guide Dr. J. W. Cook hooked a massive brook trout weighing 14 pounds, 8 ounces, a record that still stands more than a century later. That single fish put Nipigon on the map for anglers everywhere and helped make the river a symbol of trophy-class fishing. Brook trout, lake trout and salmon still thrive here, and modern catch-and-release practices help preserve the fishery for future generations.
Fishing is only part of what makes the Nipigon River special. The river offers some of the most scenic paddling in Ontario, from gentle stretches perfect for beginners to faster waters that challenge experienced adventurers. Hikers can follow the Nipigon River Recreation Trail, which connects Nipigon and Red Rock and provides incredible lookouts. Wildlife is abundant: eagles circle overhead, otters slip through the shallows and moose sometimes wade at dawn.
The Nipigon River Bridge, officially opened din 2018, rises where the river meets Lake Superior, marking the gateway to the region. From there, visitors can explore parks, marinas and walking trails, or simply pause to watch the current sparkle in the sunlight.
Whether you come to fish, paddle, photograph or just breathe in the fresh northern air, the Nipigon River has a way of drawing people back. It’s more than a place on a map; it’s a living part of Northern Ontario’s story.
