A growing number of anglers are flocking to Quebec, and with good cause. Canada’s largest province has enough space for them all, with over a million lakes and 15,000 rivers and streams. Quebec also has over 200 different types of fish, so there’s something for everyone, from northern pike sportfishing to salmon fly fishing to family trout fishing.
This guide has been put together to help you make the most out of the fishing season in Quebec. It includes advice for fishermen of all ability levels, as well as some beautiful spots to throw your line and a few key reminders for a trouble-free fishing trip.
Can you fish without a license in Quebec?
A valid fishing license is required to fish on Quebec’s bodies of water (with some exclusions). When fishing, you must have a valid license and photo identification to prove your identity.
To engage in fishing in Quebec, both citizens and non-residents must get a fishing license. Fishing is permitted without a license for the spouse and children under the age of 18 of a holder of a fishing license for species other than salmon or monkfish.
Is there good fishing in Quebec?
When can you fish in Quebec?
The best time to fish in Quebec is from the beginning of December to the end of April. You should also know that it is forbidden to use more than one fishing line, except during the ice-fishing season. Furthermore, the total number of fish caught and retained must not exceed the license holder’s daily limit.
Best time to fish in Northern Canada
Where can I fish in Quebec?
Canada’s largest province has over a million lakes and 15,000 rivers and streams. Quebec also has over 200 different types of fish, so there’s something for everyone. If you’re like the vast majority of fishing experts, you’ve never visited the North Shore, the Otish Mountains Park, or even the most isolated portions of Nunavik, which are all great remote fishing spots.
Air Tunilik collaborates with Quebec outfitters to promote local tourism, transfer essential equipment, and coordinate seaplane landings and departures throughout the year. From the melting of the ice in June through October/November, we offer airplane transportation services.
Take a seaplane trip to the best outfitters
Categories of licenses and sales prices
Depending on where you live, numerous types of licenses are available. The sale prices fluctuate depending on whether you are a Quebec resident or a non-resident.
Please take note of the following:
- The validity of annual licenses is from April 1 to March 31 of the following year.
- One day, three-day, and seven-day licenses are only valid for the dates specified when they were purchased.
- All taxes and a contribution to the Fondation de la Faune du Québec are included in the sale price.
Here are some price points for fishing licenses provided by the Quebec government:
- Annual, person under 65 years of age: $ 24.12 for residents and $ 86.35 for non-residents
- Annual, person 65 years of age or over: $ 19.13 for residents and not available for non-residents
- 7 consecutive days: Not available for residents and $ 52.03 for non-residents
- 3 consecutive days: $ 13.80 for residents and $ 34.61 for non-residents
- 1 day: Not available for residents and $ 20.17 for non-residents
Salmon fishing license
An Atlantic salmon sport fishing license is required to fish for Atlantic salmon. This license is required to fish for salmon anywhere in Quebec and for any type of fish in a salmon river during the salmon fishing season.
This license is valid until the conclusion of the salmon fishing season or until all of the tags issued with it have been utilized. The license is no longer valid for fishing any other species in a salmon river once it has expired. A resident with a “Pêche en herbe” or “Relève de la pêche” license may fish for salmon, but only with the condition of mandatory release.
The usage of an Atlantic salmon fishing license is subject to restrictions. You may combine multiple licenses, but only if the conditions specified on the licenses are met. You can only catch and keep four Atlantic salmon each year, regardless of the combination you select (from April 1 to the following March 31).
Your annual or three-day Atlantic salmon fishing license is no longer valid if there are no tags left on it. If you didn’t keep more than four salmon, you can buy another three-day license with a single tag, or you can purchase a required release license to prolong your fishing season.
Here are the prices for salmon fishing licenses provided by the Quebec government:
- Annual salmon license: $ 53.91 for residents and $ 173.01 for non-residents
- 3 consecutive days (small salmon only): $ 23.50 for residents and $ 46.09 for non-residents
To fish for any species of salmon when salmon fishing season is open, you must have an Atlantic salmon sport fishing license. In unusual circumstances, you may utilize a general sports fishing license to fish for salmon on the western portion of the rivière aux Rochers, from the avenue des Îles bridge in PortCartier to the river’s mouth (Petit Quai sector, part A of zone 19 south). In certain salmon rivers, you must use a general sports fishing license to fish for other species besides salmon outside of salmon fishing seasons.
Purchasing and replacing a license
You can buy a fishing license at one of our retail locations or online through the new “My Hunting and Fishing Account” on the Quebec government website.
Only licenses without transportation vouchers are currently available for purchase online, therefore annual or three-day salmon fishing licenses are not accessible. The necessary catch-and-release sport fishing license, which is only valid in outfitters, is also not available online.
Purchase from Sales Outlets
When buying a license from one of our retail locations, you must:
- If you don’t have your hunter’s or trapper’s certificate, fill out an identification card. After that, you’ll be given a client card together with your driver’s license.
- Pay the necessary fees.
- To ensure that the license is valid, sign the back of it. You must add or modify your first name, surname, address, or date of birth by hand if they are not shown on the back of the license or if the information listed is incorrect.
Purchase Online
You can now purchase a fishing license online. You must create an account in the My Hunting and Fishing Account section. You can link your hunter or trapper certificate to your account so that all of your information is in one location. A customer file number will be assigned to you if you don’t already have one.
After the transaction is completed, you may either download the license to your phone or print it. An electronic signature is required when a license is acquired online.
Purchase for Someone Else
It is not possible to transfer a sport fishing license. However, it is possible to purchase a fishing license for someone else at one of our retail locations. For this permit to be legitimate, the owner must sign it upon receipt from the buyer and check that the information on the back is correct.
License Replacement
If your fishing license is lost, stolen, or damaged to the extent where it is no longer usable, you must obtain a replacement license.
You must meet the following requirements to be eligible for the replacement fee:
- Show the hunter’s or trapper’s certificate you used to get the initial license;
- Provide the client number from the license that has been lost, stolen, or damaged. This is the number on the client card you received when you bought your license, which is located in the upper right-hand corner.
- You are not required to return to the location where you obtained your original license.
Non-resident fishing license
Even while fishing for species targeted by Quebec’s sport fishing laws in zone 21, a non-resident can have a Quebec sport fishing license (non-resident category). Non-residents who want to fish north of the 52nd parallel (zones 19 south, 22 north, 23, 24, and 29) or east of the Saint-Augustin River (zone 19 south) must go to an outfitter. You can contact the regional offices of Nord-du-Québec or Côte-Nord for more information.
Organize a fishing trip
Quebec is a world-famous fishing destination due to the abundance of aquatic life and the remarkable features of its clear, pristine waters. Atlantic salmon, Arctic char and brook trout are among the fish species so you’re in for a burst of adrenaline!
Throughout the year, Air Tunilik provides seaplane transportation services for people who wish to organize fishing or hunting trips to remote places. We collaborate with different outfitters to make your adventure one to remember.
All of our seaplane bases in the province, including Natashquan, Havre St-Pierre, Manic 5, Caniapiscau, and Sept-Îles, also provide scenic flight services. If you’re interested in booking a seaplane excursion or organizing a fishing trip, feel free to contact us.
