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    Northwestern OntarioFMZ 6

    Kakabeka Falls – Kaministiquia River Gorge

    Kakabeka Falls Provincial Park, Hwy 11/17, 30 km west of Thunder Bay, ON

    Marker
    Leaflet © OpenStreetMap
    Seasonal availabilityDirections Official FMZ 6 rules

    About this water

    The rapids between the falls and the hydro outflow are a well-known spring walleye stretch, set beneath one of Ontario's most dramatic waterfalls.

    Fast rapids below Ontario's second-highest waterfall (40 m), flowing through a rock gorge. Slippery footing and strong current — stay well back of the falls. FMZ 6.

    WalleyeNorthern Pike

    FMZ 6 regulations — Northwest Ontario — Thunder Bay & Lake Nipigon

    Inland northwest Ontario north of Lake Superior. Lake Superior and the state of Minnesota form its southern border, and it includes the islands in Nipigon Bay plus St. Ignace and Simpson Islands in Lake Superior. Lake Superior itself is FMZ 9.

    • Brook trout: heavily protected — check individual water for size limits (often 56 cm min).
    • Lake trout: seasons and limits vary by water; many lakes are S-1/C-0.
    • Nipigon River: single barbless hooks and artificial lures only on much of the system.

    Zone check: FMZ 6 confirmed from this water's coordinates against the official Ontario zone boundaries (reviewed 2026-08-12).

    Summary only — always confirm current seasons and limits on the Ontario MNRF FMZ 6 page before your trip.

    Seasonal availability

    Open-season windows for the species found at Kakabeka Falls – Kaministiquia River Gorge, taken from the FMZ 6 regulation summary. Green months are within a published open season — they are not a prediction of how well fish will bite.

    Run & closure notes for FMZ 6

    • Nipigon River: single barbless hooks and artificial lures only on much of the system.

    No FMZ 6 season line published in our summary for: Walleye, Northern Pike. Check the official page before keeping these species.

    Summary only, and seasons change annually. Confirm dates on the Ontario MNRF FMZ 6 page before your trip.

    Fishing tips

    • This is coaster brook trout country — treat every fish gently, keep it wet, release quickly.
    • Deep lake trout structure fishing shines from ice-out through late June.
    • Fish the softer water at the edge of the main current with a heavier jig — 3/8 oz or more is usually needed to hold bottom.
    • Access: Free lots off the highway next to the visitor centre; park entry fee applies.

    Solunar Calendar— Kakabeka Falls – Kaministiquia River Gorge

    🌔

    Waxing Gibbous

    93% illuminated · Age 12.2d

    Solunar rating93/100

    🌔 Tue, Aug 25

    93% · Rating 93
    minor9:23 PM – 10:23 PM
    major2:53 AM – 4:53 AM
    minor9:23 AM – 10:23 AM
    major2:53 PM – 4:53 PM

    🌔 Wed, Aug 26

    97% · Rating 98
    minor10:08 PM – 11:08 PM
    major3:38 AM – 5:38 AM
    minor10:08 AM – 11:08 AM
    major3:38 PM – 5:38 PM

    🌕 Thu, Aug 27

    100% · Rating 100
    minor10:51 PM – 11:51 PM
    major4:21 AM – 6:21 AM
    minor10:51 AM – 11:51 AM
    major4:21 PM – 6:21 PM

    Major windows (~2 h) cluster around moon transit and antitransit; minor windows (~1 h) around moonrise and moonset. Local approximations — verify against a printed almanac for planning.

    Gear setup

    Setup:
    Medium spinning for river walleye
    Rod:
    7' medium spinning rod
    Reel:
    Size 3000 spinning reel
    Line:
    12 lb braid with 10 lb fluorocarbon leader
    Best bait:
    Minnows, Worms
    Best lures:
    Jig & minnow, Spinner, Crankbait
    Directions

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