Kenora
Around Kenora
Photo: Quintin Soloviev · CC BY 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Town and around · Ontario · 14k people
Kenora
Locals say Sunset Country
Where every sunset is a masterpiece
sunset orangelake blueboreal green
Welcome to Sunset Country, where the lakes are big and the sunsets stretch on forever. Whether you're here for the fishing, the winter trails, or just the quiet of the north, you'll fit right in.
Clubs for Kenora
No clubs for Kenora yet.
The room
One room for everyone around Kenora. It never closes; when it's busy it splits into tables. Once you're in, you stay until you leave.
Ask the neighbours
AllA good plumber, the best tacos, a lost cat: nobody has asked yet. Be the first.
Coming up
No events in the next month. Events made in the room show up here.
Marketplace
Things for sale, free and wanted, and rooms for rent, from people around Kenora. Sign in to sell something.
Things to do
- Kenora Harbourfront Central boardwalk and docks for boaters and strollers.
- Rushing River Provincial Park Waterfalls, hiking trails, and campgrounds near Kenora.
- Husky the Muskie Iconic roadside statue in Kenora celebrating the famous fish.
- Coney Island Popular boat-in destination with a historic lighthouse and picnic spots.
- Lake of the Woods The massive lake that defines the region, perfect for boating and fishing.
- Red Lake Remote lake town with deep mining history and excellent fishing.
- Outdoors Houseboating across Lake of the Woods
- Outdoors Fishing for pickerel and muskie
- With kids Boating out to Coney Island for the day
- With kids Camping at Rushing River Provincial Park
- Evenings Cheering on the Dryden GM Ice Dogs at a home game
- Evenings Catching live music at lakeside pub patios
- Locals love fishing lodges
- Locals love houseboat rentals
Through the year
- Kenora Agricultural Fair August Classic country fair with exhibits, rides, and local pride.
- Dryden Blueberry Festival August Celebrates the local berry with food, music, and family fun.
- Kenora Bass International July Major competitive fishing tournament on Lake of the Woods.
- Red Lake Miner's Days July Community celebration of the town's mining heritage with parades and events.
- Sioux Lookout Frostbite Festival February Winter celebration with outdoor games, ice sculptures, and community spirit.
Sunset Country has long, snowy winters and short, mild summers. The best time to be out is June through September for boating and fishing, while winter offers prime ice fishing and snowmobiling; fall is crisp and colorful, and spring arrives late with high water. Best: June through September for boating and fishing, while winter offers prime ice fishing and snowmobiling.
Talk like a local
- “Pickerel”
- What locals call walleye, the prized catch of the region.
- “The Lake”
- Always refers to Lake of the Woods.
- “Muskie”
- The giant muskellunge fish, a trophy catch.
- “The Harbour”
- Kenora's waterfront district.
Getaways
- Winnipeg, MB Big city shopping, dining, and attractions about two hours away.
- Steinbach, MB A quick trip across the border for a change of scenery.
- Bemidji, MN Cross-border trip to the headwaters of the Mississippi River.
Local flavour
Teams
- Dryden GM Ice Dogs Superior International Junior Hockey League
- Sioux Lookout Flyers Superior International Junior Hockey League
- Red Lake Miners Superior International Junior Hockey League
Eat and drink
- pickerel (walleye) fish and chips Fresh-caught pickerel is a local staple, often served battered and fried
- wild rice soup Wild rice is harvested from local lakes and used in hearty soups
- bannock
Where people go
- fishing lodges Remote lodges accessible by floatplane or boat, offering world-class fishing
- houseboat rentals Rent a houseboat and explore the many islands of Lake of the Woods
- ice fishing huts In winter, heated huts dot the frozen lakes for ice fishing
- wilderness outfitters Outfitters provide gear and guides for canoe trips and portages
Heritage and traditions
Kenora and the Sunset Country region take pride in their rugged frontier spirit, deep Ojibwe heritage, and world-class fishing on Lake of the Woods, where the water and the bush are never far away.
Say it like a local: “up the highway” — going north (toward the bush or smaller communities)
Festivals
- Kenora Agricultural Fair August A summer tradition with livestock, midway rides, and local produce.
- Dryden Blueberry Festival August Celebrates the local blueberry harvest with pies, jams, and baking.
- Red Lake Miner's Days July Honours the mining heritage with parades, games, and gold-panning.
- Sioux Lookout Frostbite Festival February Winter celebration with outdoor activities, food, and community spirit.
- Kenora Bass International August A competitive fishing tournament on Lake of the Woods.
- Kenora Winter Carnival February Ice sculptures, family games, and a polar bear dip.
Landmarks with a story
- Lake of the Woods Museum Housed in a historic 1909 building, tells the story of the region's fur trade and settlement.
- Kenora Cenotaph Honours local soldiers from WWI and WWII, a focal point for Remembrance Day.
- Sioux Lookout Fire Tower Once used to spot forest fires, now a lookout with panoramic views.
- Red Lake Regional Heritage Centre Showcases the gold mining history of Red Lake and the region.
- Historic downtown Kenora Early 20th-century buildings along the waterfront, many with original facades.
Food traditions
- Shore lunch Freshly caught pickerel fried over an open fire, a staple of any fishing trip.
- Wild rice harvest Traditional Ojibwe harvest of manoomin, often used in soups and stuffings.
- Pickerel fish and chips The local fish, beer-battered and served with fries, is a favourite at diners.
- Wild rice soup A hearty soup made with local wild rice, often with chicken or mushrooms.
- Bannock A simple bread cooked over a campfire or in a skillet, a First Nations staple.
Music and arts
- Ojibwe birch bark biting and quillwork Traditional crafts passed down through generations.
- Drumming and powwow traditions Indigenous music and dance are central to community gatherings.
- Northern Ontario folk music Songs about the bush, the lake, and the working life.
A little history
- 1600s-1800s Fur trade era
- 1905 Rat Portage renamed Kenora
- 1920s-30s Red Lake gold rush
- 1880s Canadian Pacific Railway
- 1873 Treaty 3
Rivalries
- Dryden GM Ice Dogs vs Sioux Lookout Flyers Fierce junior hockey battles between neighboring towns.
- Red Lake Miners vs Dryden GM Ice Dogs Another hockey rivalry with plenty of travel and bragging rights.
- Kenora vs Dryden Friendly regional rivalry over who has the better fishing and bigger town spirit.
- Game day Local hockey rivalries
- Game day Annual fishing derbies
- Outdoors Canoeing the Winnipeg River
- Outdoors Portaging between lakes
- With kids Watching the sunset over the lake
- With kids Feeding the ducks at the harbourfront
Locals speak with a friendly Northern Ontario accent, often dropping the 'g' in words like 'fishin'' and using 'eh' as a tag. You'll hear terms like 'the Lake' for Lake of the Woods and 'bush' for the forest.
Only here
- Lake of the Woods has more islands than any other lake in the world (14,552).
- The town of Kenora's name is a blend of the first two letters of 'Ken' and the last two of 'Nora'.
- You can drive your car across the frozen lake to an island community in winter.
New here? A few tips
- Dress in layers; winters are harsh, with temperatures often below -20°C.
- Learn to drive on ice roads; they're common in winter.
- Respect Indigenous communities and their traditions; many are welcoming but appreciate cultural sensitivity.
- Try the pickerel fish and chips at a local diner.
- Get a boat or rent one to explore the islands.
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Nearby
Every areaKenora DistrictOntarioWhere the north woods meet the water.RoseauMinnesotaWhere the north woods meet the prairie, and hockey is life.Rainy River DistrictOntarioWhere the wilderness meets the waterInternational FallsMinnesotaCold lakes, warm welcomeEastmanManitobaWhere the Shield meets the prairieSteinbachManitobaLocal rooms for Steinbach.WinnipegManitobaPrairie heart, river soul.
Kenora. Areas from the US Census Bureau and Statistics Canada; places from GeoNames. Local flavour was written with a model and may have mistakes. Team names identify teams; no endorsement.