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    Eastern OntarioFMZ 12

    Ottawa River – Petawawa Point

    1 Petawawa Blvd, Petawawa, ON K8H 1X3

    Marker
    Leaflet © OpenStreetMap
    Seasonal availabilityDirections Official FMZ 12 rules

    About this water

    The Ottawa River is an underrated fishery with massive muskie potential and reliable walleye action.

    Large river with varying current. Deep pools and shallow flats. Water levels fluctuate seasonally.

    WalleyeMuskieSmallmouth BassChannel CatfishSturgeon

    FMZ 12 regulations — Ottawa River & Lake Temiskaming

    A long, narrow zone along the Ontario–Quebec border. It includes the Ontario portions of Lake Temiskaming and the Ottawa River, plus the Madawaska and Mississippi Rivers upstream to the first dam. It is not a Georgian Bay zone.

    • Walleye: 3rd Sat in May – March 1; S-4/C-2.
    • Northern pike: open all year; S-6/C-2 (one over 86 cm).
    • Lake trout: Jan 1 – Sept 30; S-2/C-1.

    Water-specific exceptions at Ottawa River – Petawawa Point

    • Interprovincial water: The Ottawa River is the Ontario/Quebec boundary. An Ontario licence covers the Ontario side; Quebec rules and seasons differ.

    Zone check: FMZ 12 set by review — Ottawa River at Petawawa sits on the FMZ 12/15 boundary; the Ontario-side river water is managed as FMZ 12. Reviewed 2026-08-12.

    Summary only — always confirm current seasons and limits on the Ontario MNRF FMZ 12 page before your trip.

    Seasonal availability

    Open-season windows for the species found at Ottawa River – Petawawa Point, taken from the FMZ 12 regulation summary. Green months are within a published open season — they are not a prediction of how well fish will bite.

    Best months to plan a tripany listed species open
    Walleye3rd Sat in May – March 1

    No FMZ 12 season line published in our summary for: Muskie, Smallmouth Bass, Channel Catfish, Sturgeon. Check the official page before keeping these species.

    Summary only, and seasons change annually. Confirm dates on the Ontario MNRF FMZ 12 page before your trip.

    Fishing tips

    • Timiskaming's big-water walleye respond to trolled spinner rigs on wind-blown points.
    • Massive shoreline drops — use quality electronics.
    • Focus on current breaks and eddies for walleye. The deep holes near Petawawa Point hold big catfish in summer. Night fishing with cut bait is deadly.
    • Access: Free parking at Petawawa Point day-use area. Large gravel lot with boat trailer access.

    Solunar Calendar— Ottawa River – Petawawa Point

    🌔

    Waxing Gibbous

    93% illuminated · Age 12.2d

    Solunar rating93/100

    🌔 Tue, Aug 25

    93% · Rating 93
    minor8:34 PM – 9:34 PM
    major2:04 AM – 4:04 AM
    minor8:34 AM – 9:34 AM
    major2:04 PM – 4:04 PM

    🌔 Wed, Aug 26

    97% · Rating 98
    minor9:18 PM – 10:18 PM
    major2:48 AM – 4:48 AM
    minor9:18 AM – 10:18 AM
    major2:48 PM – 4:48 PM

    🌕 Thu, Aug 27

    100% · Rating 100
    minor10:02 PM – 11:02 PM
    major3:32 AM – 5:32 AM
    minor10:02 AM – 11:02 AM
    major3:32 PM – 5:32 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-heavy spinning for walleye; heavy baitcaster for muskie; catfish bottom rig
    Rod:
    7' medium-heavy for walleye jigging; 8'+ heavy for muskie
    Reel:
    Size 3000 spinning for walleye; heavy baitcaster for muskie
    Line:
    12 lb braid with fluorocarbon leader for walleye
    Best bait:
    Minnows (walleye), Cut bait (catfish), Large suckers (muskie)
    Best lures:
    Jig & minnow, Crankbait (chartreuse), Large jerkbait (muskie), Berkley Flicker Shad
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