Fishing in Quebec

Welcome to Quebec, Canada's largest province, offering a fishing experience that encapsulates the region's natural beauty and rich cultural heritage. Quebec's fishing history dates back to its indigenous people who fished the plentiful waters as a primary food source.The very name of the province derives from an Algonquin word for “narrow part of a river”, and in fact St. Lawrence River is the main artery that determines the life of Quebec. In addition, Quebec is blessed with over half a million lakes and rivers and has one of the largest freshwater reserves in the world. The province has access to both the Atlantic Ocean, via the Gulf of St. Lawrence, and the Arctic Ocean, through James and Hudson Bays. The climate varies from arctic to wet continental, mostly with cold, snowy winters and warm, sunny summers. The best fishing times vary depending on the target species, but one thing is for sure, Quebec’s fishing season never truly ends. The geographical highlights for anglers are the St. Lawrence River, Lake Saint-Jean, and the Gaspe Peninsula, teeming with diverse fish species and boasting breathtaking views. Whether you're a seasoned angler seeking an adrenaline-filled adventure or a novice searching for a serene fishing getaway, Quebec offers it all.

Quebec offers a rich variety of fishing types, with opportunities for both freshwater and marine angling. Lake fishing is incredibly popular, given the plethora of lakes filled with walleye, pike, and trout. For those seeking the thrill of river fishing, Quebec's vast river networks won't disappoint. The St. Lawrence River, one of North America's most important waterways, hosts a wide variety of fish species and offers fantastic angling experiences. Aside from the southern part of the province, roughly lying along the St. Lawrence River, Quebec is rather sparsely populated, and its diverse landscape offers excellent opportunities for Backcountry fishing, with countless remote locations accessible by hiking, canoe, or even floatplane. The areas near the James Bay and Hudson bay are especially coveted as a unique wilderness experience.

Quebec's waters are home to a wide variety of fish species, making it an angler's paradise. For freshwater enthusiasts, the brook trout, locally known as "speckled trout," is a real treat. Known for its excellent fighting abilities as well as beautiful appearance, the brook trout is a favorite fish among Quebecois. While the more to the north, the bigger the fish, some excellent brook trout fishing can be found quite near Montreal and Quebec City. The Quebecois take a special pride in the fact that most of their brook trout is native, preserved in good numbers by careful management. In addition, the rivers and lakes of Quebec are home to large numbers of rainbow trout, whitefish, and Arctic char. Atlantic salmon fishing is also possible; however, it requires a special license and is regulated by a special set of rules. Northern pike and walleye, known for their ferocious fighting abilities, are other popular targets. The beautiful Lake Saint-Jean is well-known for its landlocked salmon and walleye fishing, while the St. Lawrence River offers spectacular opportunities to catch American shad and channel catfish. Largemouth bass and pickerel fishing is also on the table. For those who prefer seas to freshwater, the Quebec Maritime area offers excellent striped bass fishing in the Gulf of St. Lawrence, but not in St. Lawrence River; the striped bass there has become extinct in the 1960s, and, while a successful reintroduction has taken place, fishing season is opened only in the sea, with a limit in place. There are also substantial numbers of the Atlantic cod and plaice, as the locals call flounder.

The diverse fish species and habitats in Quebec call for a broad range of fishing techniques. Fly fishing is prevalent, especially when pursuing brook trout in Quebec's clear, flowing rivers and streams. As elsewhere in Canada, to say ice fishing is popular would be an example of underestimation – in the winter, whole families go onto the ice to pursue walleye, perch, and pike. Trolling is effective for both walleye and pike in the rivers and lakes (when they’re free from ice), and striped bass and Atlantic mackerel in the St. Lawrence Bay. However, spinning and fly-fishing are used with success for striped bass as well. For those fishing in the St. Lawrence River, live bait and trolling are common techniques for catching channel catfish and American shad. When it comes to Quebec's fishing, stay versatile and adapt your techniques to the species you're targeting and the location you're exploring – and do not be shy of hiring one of the province’s excellent fishing guides.