Fishing is an exciting and relaxing activity that everyone can enjoy. Whether you fish alone, as part of a group or with your family, in a lake or a river, in a natural setting or in a city, there are many different fish species waiting to be discovered. Although Québec’s diverse range of fish is a renewable natural resource, its balance is nevertheless fragile. As a result, there are a number of rules that you must follow before fishing, to ensure the sustainability of this collective wealth.
The regulation presented covers the period from April 1, 2024, to March 31, 2026.
A new regulation is published every two years, on April 1, but the periods, limits and exceptions are, for their part, updated annually, from April 1.
Zone-based regulations
Québec’s territory is divided into 29 fishing zones that take species distribution into account.
The regulations may vary depending on the fishing zone or body of water where you are fishing, but also depending on the species you are fishing for and the time of year. Rules may also differ if you are in a special area, in which case you will receive the information at the reception desk.
To fish in Québec, you must:
- hold a valid fishing licence (unless otherwise stated) and a photo ID issued by the government, one of its departments or a public agency;
- know your fishing zone
; - comply with the quotas and fishing periods in this zone;
- comply with the catch and length limits for the species fished and the fishing zone (this requirement also applies to anyone to whom fish are given);
- use gear (lures, hooks, bait) that complies with the regulations governing your type of fishing;
- know the source of and be able to identify the species of any fish that you transport or have in your possession.
If you fail to comply with any of the rules governing fishing, you may be liable to a fine that will vary according to the type of offence you commit.
Special areas
Rules may also differ from those of the zone in certain specific territories (ZECs, outfitters, wildlife reserves, etc.). Learn more about these rules.
Access to bodies of water
Most bodies of water in Québec are public, regardless of whether they are in towns, semi-urban areas or rural areas. However, the land bordering the bodies of water may be privately owned. Make sure you have the landowner’s permission if you must cross privately-owned land to access the site at which you would like to fish.
Land that is not privately-owned belongs to the domain of the State. You may access it freely, except for certain special areas (zecs, wildlife reserves, etc.) where access fees and special rules may apply.
Main species fished
Some freshwater fish species are of more interest to anglers, because of their combativeness or tasty flesh.
See our fact sheets on the main species fished in Québec (in French only) for details of their principal characteristics, and to learn how to recognize them.
Unless otherwise indicated, the major species categories include several subspecies. For more information, see the glossary .
Particular species
Particular rules, in addition to quotas, apply to the following species.
Rainbow smelt: You may fish for rainbow smelt at night using authorized fishing gear, from December 1, 2024 to April 24, 2025, from December 1, 2025 to April 23, 2026 and from December 1, 2026 to April 22, 2027 in a portion of a salmon river in which rainbow smelt fishing is authorized. To learn more on fishing for rainbow smelt.
Whitefishes, rainbow smelt, burbot and crustaceans: Particular types of fishing are authorized for these species or groups of species, in very specific situations.
Atlantic salmon: Atlantic salmon fishing is highly sought-after as an activity and is governed by special rules.
Striped bass, lake sturgeon, muskellunges, landlocked salmon and lake trout: Like the walleye and Atlantic salmon, these species are also be subject to length limits.
Chars: Catch weight limits apply if you fish for char in certain northern zones.
Yellow walleye and sauger: In Québec, both walleye and sauger can be found. Length limits apply to protect the yellow walleye from overfishing. See all the specifics of walleye and sauger fishing.
Mandatory catch-and-release
You must immediately release to the body of water of its capture (while avoiding unnecessary injury) any fish:
- if it is subject to a fishing prohibition or caught during a period or at a site where its fishing is prohibited;
- if it is caught after you have reached the daily catch limit;
- if its length does not meet the allowable limit (where one exists);
- if it is caught using a prohibited fishing method or fishing gear;
- if it is caught under a sport fishing licence with mandatory catch-and-release in force in outfitters or for salmon fishing*.
To check whether the species you are fishing is regulated by a length limit or to find out the dates, quotas or species that are prohibited in your body of water, refer to the Fishing zones section Fishing zones.
*Daily salmon release limit
For the sake of preservation of the species and sportsmanship, a daily limit of 3 released Atlantic salmon is applicable in salmon rivers, with the exception of the Nord-du-Québec rivers and rivers eastside from Natashquan.
Reminder of main prohibited practices
Although anglers are familiar with the concepts of licences, fishing periods and quotas, some prohibited practices are less known.
Here is a summary of the main prohibitions:
- Angling and fly fishing at the same time: you may use only one line at once.
- Selling or purchasing fish (including bait fish) caught in or out of Québec with a sport fishing licence.
- Catching or attempting to catch a fish during a period or at a site where its fishing is prohibited even if you plan to release it.
- Fishing and keeping a fish fit for human consumption and then allowing it to spoil.
- Fishing at the wrong time or place on a salmon river. See prohibitions on a salmon river.
- Fishing within 23 metres downstream from the lower entrance of a fish ladder, an operating fishway, an obstacle or a leaping space designed to facilitate the movement of fish.
- Catching or attempting to catch any fish outside the mouth and intentionally altering your hooks to do so. (learn more about the legal use of fishing equipment).
- Using the following to remove a fish caught while sport fishing from the water: a net other than a landing net, a tailer more than 2 metres in length, a spring gaff or a gaff of any kind for salmon.
- Transporting live fish.
Commercial fishing licence or special fishing right
The sale of live or dead bait fish is prohibited. Only a holder of a commercial fishing licence or a licence to operate a fish-tank for bait fish is allowed to do so. For more information, refer to the Regulation respecting aquaculture and the sale of fish .
Understanding the regulatory information
The Québec Fishing Regulation is based on the federal Fisheries Act and allows the Government to amend some of the conditions applicable to sport fishing for freshwater, anadromous and catadromous fish in Québec’s waters. Recreational fishing for saltwater species such as capelin, cod and so on, is managed by Fisheries and Oceans Canada .
The new regulation is published on April 1st of each year, but the ministère de l'Environnement, de la Lutte contre les changements climatiques, de la Faune et des Parcs (MELCCFP) may amend it during the year, among other things to:
- close a body of water in order to avoid overfishing of a particular species;
- change catch limits based on a salmon run;
- open local water bodies to winter fishing;
- change fishing practices in a given sector following an agreement with an Aboriginal nation or band council.
Before planning your fishing activity, we invite you to consult our latest our News page (in French only) as well as our section on news releases released prior to October 20, 2022 (in French only).
You can also consult the current general order (PDF 4.65 Mb) as well as the previous and other orders on sport fishing.
Introduction to fishing
If you are new to fishing, we have worked with our partners to create a unique Web platform containing a host of information that will guide you through the discovery of your new hobby.
If you would like to discover fishing, learn the basics or try it out, visit the website pecherpascomplique.com .
Printable versions of the rules
General rules, zones’ specific rules and maps (PDF)
Regulatory Information
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Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday: 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Wednesday: 10:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. -
Free phone line: 1-844-523-6738
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Last update: April 12, 2024
