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Zone 6 fishing regulations

Thunder Bay, Nipigon & Dryden

Official Zone 6 regulations ↗

2026 regulation dataset · Snapshot 2026-05-08

Start with these zone-wide rules, then check the official summary for waterbody exceptions and sanctuaries before you fish. A missing entry here does not mean there are no restrictions.

Seasons & catch limits

Zone 6 · zone-wide seasons and catch & possession limits
SpeciesSeasonSportConservation
Atlantic SalmonAggregate trout & salmon limit Open all year 1 0
Brook TroutAggregate trout & salmon limit 4th Sat. in Apr. - Labour Day 5, not more than 1 greater than 30 cm (11.8 in.) 2, not more than 1 greater than 30 cm (11.8 in.)
Brown TroutAggregate trout & salmon limit Open all year 5 2
Channel Catfish Open all year 12 6
Crappie Open all year 15 10
Lake TroutAggregate trout & salmon limit Jan. 1 - Sept. 30 2, not more than 1 greater than 56 cm (22 in.) from Sept. 1 - Sept. 30; no size limit rest of year 1, no size limit
Lake Whitefish Open all year 12 6
Largemouth and Smallmouth Bass or any combination Open all year 4 2
Muskellunge 3rd Sat. in June - Dec. 15 1, must be greater than 91 cm (36 in.) 0
Northern Pike Open all year 4, not more than 1 greater than or equal to 70 cm (27.6 in.) 2, not more than 1 greater than or equal to 70 cm (27.6 in.)
Pacific SalmonAggregate trout & salmon limit Open all year 5 2
Rainbow TroutAggregate trout & salmon limit Open all year 1 0
SplakeAggregate trout & salmon limit Open all year 5 2
Sunfish Open all year 50 25
Walleye and Sauger or any combination Jan. 1 - Apr. 14 & 3rd Sat. in May - Dec. 31 4, not more than 1 greater than 46 cm (18.1 in.) 2, not more than 1 greater than 46 cm (18.1 in.)
Yellow Perch Open all year 50 25

Bait, gear & possession rules

Catch & possession

Non-residents camping on Crown land must follow conservation fishing licence limits

Bait restrictions

Smelt may not be used as bait or possessed for use as bait except where exceptions apply

Fish sanctuaries

Show 19 fish sanctuaries in this zone
  • Savanne Lake - Grand Trunk Pacific Block 2. Fish sanctuary - closed all year
  • Granite River and Saganaga Lake, Saganaga Falls. Fish sanctuary - no fishing from Apr. 1 - May 31
  • Greenwater Creek - from the dam on Greenwater Creek to the first island in Upper Shebandowan Lake. Fish sanctuary - no fishing from Apr. 1 - May 31
  • Kashabowie River - from the dam on Kashabowie Lake to the island in Upper Shebandowan Lake. Fish sanctuary - no fishing from Apr. 1 - May 31
  • Lake Nipigon (West Bay) the waters lying north and west of the north tip of Boles Island. Fish sanctuary - closed all year
  • Pine River - near Gunflint Lake. Fish sanctuary - no fishing from Apr. 1 - May 31
  • Little Savanne River from the upstream side of the bridge at Railbed Road (49°05'57"N, 90°18'16"W) to its confluence with the Savanne River (48°56'53"N, 90°15'26"W) Fish sanctuary - no fishing from Apr. 1 - May 31
  • Maligne River and Curran Bay (Saganaga Lake) Fish sanctuary - no fishing from Apr. 1 - May 31
  • McIntyre River - from the footbridge to the dam on the University property in the City of Thunder Bay. Fish sanctuary - closed all year
  • Nipigon River - (Backpool) below the Alexander Dam east of a line drawn south from the Alexander Dam Log Chute to the northernmost tip of the point of land on the east shore of the Nipigon River. Fish sanctuary - no fishing from Jan. 1 - Fri. before 4th Sat. in May & Tues. after Labour Day - Dec. 31
  • Nipigon River (Gapen’s Pool) (49°01’N., 88°15’W.) that part of the Nipigon River lying east of a line drawn north from the eastern shore abutment of Hwy. 11/17 bridges to the western tip of a point of land on the eastern shore of the outflow from Lake Helen. Fish sanctuary - no fishing from Jan. 1 - Fri. before 4th Sat. in May & Tues. after Labour Day - Dec. 31
  • Nipigon River (Parmacheene) (49°05’N., 88°19’W.) from the downstream edge of the Parmacheene C.N.R. bridge abutments, upstream approx. 400 m (1312 ft.) to the first narrows. Fish sanctuary - no fishing from Jan. 1 - Fri. before 4th Sat. in May & Tues. after Labour Day - Dec. 31
  • Savanne River (48°56'N., 90°17'W.) - from One Mile Creek to Dexter Creek. Fish sanctuary - no fishing from Apr. 1 - May 31
  • Sawmill Creek and Sawmill Bay of Upper Shebandowan Lake. Fish sanctuary - no fishing from Apr. 1 - May 31
  • Squeers Lake (48°31’N., 90°33’W.) Fish sanctuary - closed all year
  • Swamp River and Swamp Bay of Lower Shebandowan Lake - Conacher and Hagey Twps. Fish sanctuary - no fishing from Apr. 1 - May 31
  • Weikwabinonaw River - between Marks Lake and Weikwabinonaw Lake. Fish sanctuary - no fishing from Apr. 1 - May 31
  • Weikwabinonaw River - from Trafalgar Bay on Northern Light Lake extending upstream to its confluence with Nelson Creek, including the unnamed lake known locally as Lily Lake. Fish sanctuary - no fishing from Apr. 1 - May 31
  • Weikwabinonaw River - from Marks Lake upstream to the Weikwabinonaw Lake Road. Fish sanctuary - no fishing from Apr. 1 - May 31

Lakes and rivers in FMZ 6

Start with some of the largest named waterbodies in this zone, or open the complete directory.

Northern Light Lake Black Sturgeon Lake Arrow Lake Whitefish Lake Forgan Lake Harmon Lake Loch Lomond Gunflint Lake English River North Wind Lake North Lake Sandstone Lake

Browse all named waterbodies in FMZ 6 →

Zone boundaries and season dates come from Ontario's official Fishing Regulations Summary (linked above) — this page is a convenience index, not a legal document. Open the map to see exactly which lakes fall in this zone.