A colorful pair of spawning Brook Trout from Gapen’s Pool
Gapen’s Pool, Nipigon River: Nestled in the clutches of the powerful Nipigon River, sits a pool that provides some of the most critical reproductive habitat for the remnant population of Lake Superior Coaster Brook Trout – Gapen’s Pool. Trout Unlimited Canada acquired the property in 2006 to ensure the protection of this important habitat feature, the adjacent lands, and the fish population that they support.
This is one of only three spawning sites that have been identified for this species on the Nipigon River and attracts lake dwelling trophy fish from across Nipigon Bay and beyond.
Coaster Brook Trout have special spawning needs in that they spawn over areas where groundwater flows upwards through clean gravel. It is these upwellings in the Nipigon River that attract Brook Trout from Lake Superior to spawn and into which their eggs are deposited for incubation throughout the winter months. The land adjacent to these spawning locations is equally as important to protect as they provide a critical hydrological function- filtering, collecting, storing, and percolating groundwater into these seepage areas beneath the river.
Your support allows TUC to continue to protect and conserve critical habitat such as Gapen’s Pool. If you would like to support our ongoing efforts on Gapen’s Pool please consider donating today.
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