Gull River (Lake Nipigon)

Geography

The river flows from an unnamed lake to Gull Bay on the western side of Lake Nipigon. The river passes through Gull River 55 Indian reserve of the Gull Bay First Nation, located on the south shore of Lake Nipigon.

Tributaries

Significant tributaries of the Gull River are (in upstream order):

• Voltaire Creek
• Crazy Creek
• Drunk Creek
• Awl Creek
• Pantagruel Creek
  • Rabelais Creek
• Roaring River
• Mooseland River
  • Armistice Creek
  • Garden Lake
  • Mooseland Lake
• Heaven Creek

History

In 1850, the Robinson Superior Treaty was signed that created the Gull River 55 reserve for the Gull Bay First Nation at the mouth of the Gull River. That same year, the Hudson's Bay Company moved its trading post there from Wabinosh Bay. The post, known as Nipigon or Fort Nipigon, was headquarters of the Nipigon District from 1881 to 1892. In 1900, the post was renamed to Nipigon House, and renamed again in 1954 to Gull Bay.

Fauna

Native fish species are walleye, yellow perch, and northern pike, with lake sturgeon found spawning in the lower portion of the Gull River, east of Detour Lake.

Gull River Provincial Park

The Gull River Provincial Park protects an 80 km long section of the Gull River, as well as part of its tributary Mooseland River, from Highway 811 in the west to the boundary of Gull River 55 Reserve of the Gull Bay First Nation in the east. The park, located about 160 km north of Thunder Bay, is notable for its multi-day canoe camping opportunities.

In addition to the Gull River itself and Mooseland River tributary, the park also protects a large swatch of land around the Gull River headwaters, that nearly surround the 780 ha Kaiashk Provincial Nature Reserve (which may be added to Gull River Provincial Park in the future). The remainder of the Mooseland River, its headwaters, and Mooseland Lake, are protected in the 12586 ha Garden Pakashkan Conservation Reserve. Furthermore, the Ottertooth Conservation Reserve abuts the Gull River Provincial Park on both sides southwest of Detour Lake.

The landscape in Gull River Provincial Park is characterized by boreal forests with deciduous-dominated mixedwood and jack pine/black spruce mixed stands, as well as wetlands, marshes, and fens. Common trees found in the park are trembling aspen, white birch, white spruce, black spruce, jack pine, balsam fir, and tamarack.

The park has minimal existing development, and no transmission lines, gas pipeline corridors, or major roads cutting across. It is a non-operating park, meaning that there are no facilities or services for visitors. The park can be used for canoeing, hunting, and fishing.

Mammals found in the park include black bear, fisher, lynx, mink, moose, pine marten, red fox, snowshoe hare, and timber wolf.

References

Sources

References

1. (12 September 2016). "The Atlas of Canada - Toporama". Natural Resources Canada.
2. "Gull River".
3. (2010-02-04). "Gull River". [[Natural Resources Canada]].
4. "Hudson's Bay Company: Nipigon House". Archives of Manitoba - Keystone Archives Descriptive Database.
5. {{Cite cgndb. FIDQK. Gull River Provincial Park
6. (31 January 2006). "Policy Report C2410: Garden Pakashkan Conservation Reserve". Ministry of Natural Resources Ontario.
7. (31 January 2006). "Policy Report C2262: Ottertooth Conservation Reserve". Ministry of Natural Resources Ontario.
8. (2003). "Gull River Provincial Park Management Statement". Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources.
9. "Gull River Provincial Park". Ontario Parks.