With its exceptional flora and fauna, Quebec is a veritable playground for outdoor enthusiasts who head to the parks and lakes once the snow melts.
When spring has set in well and the lakes are free of ice, the angler thinks of only one thing: throw his line in the water.
To inspire us and make us dream, TV host and commercial fisherman Alexis Pageau shares his top picks for places to go fishing in Quebec.
Having traveled the province far and wide during his four years at the helm of the Hooké Fishing Show, the explorer at heart has become a true reference in the field. Let yourself be seduced and follow the instructions!
Leaf River / Nunavik
Atlantic Salmon
Alexis Pageau has a love affair with the Far North, which he particularly likes for its culture and the variety it offers. His favorite spot is the Rivière aux Feuilles in Nunavik. “What’s special is that you can fish for salmon and brown trout while observing land fauna that is unique in this part of the country. It’s really impressive!”
Baie des Chaleurs / Gaspesie
Striped Perch
“Striped bass fishing is becoming increasingly popular on the shores of the Baie-des-Chaleurs because it is a very trippy type of fishing. The striped bass is a fierce fish that swarms around. So when we start taking him on the banks, everyone takes him at the same time. And that gives good fights.” In addition, it is a healthy fish that is very good to eat, so depending on the regulations, one or two can be caught for consumption.
The Grande Cascapédia and the Bonaventure / Gaspésie river
Atlantic Salmon
“The Great Grand Cascapedia is world famous for Atlantic Salmon because there is an abundance of them and this is where the largest have been caught. Located on the side of the Bonaventure River, it has the most crystal clear water in the world, allowing us to see the salmon swimming at 20 or even 30 feet. These are certainly the two most famous rivers in the area.”
The Montmorency River / Quebec
Different sorts
At the base of Montmorency Falls in Quebec City, a variety of fish species live side by side due to the highly oxygenated water. “The fish in the river feel the call of the water. Walleye, salmon, speckled and rainbow trout, sturgeon, perch: when you fish here you never know what you will catch!”
In large amounts:
- The Jacques-Cartier River near Quebec: ideal for fly fishing;
- Rivière des Prairies north of Montreal: the perfect place to catch bass;
- The Mastigouche Game Reserve in Mauricie: paradise for speckled trout;
- Zec Pontiac in Outaouais: for trout fishing;
- Lake Mistassini in Baie-James: the largest freshwater lake in Quebec;
- The Nabisipi River on the north coast: for fishing for Atlantic salmon;
- Lac des Neiges in the Laurentides Nature Reserve: for gray trout fishing.
My hunting and fishing record
The Quebec government, which issues 1.2 million hunting, fishing and trapping licenses in Quebec each year, has modernized its offering and is now offering a new procurement process simplified, secured and accessible via a digital platform.
In fact, hunting and fishing enthusiasts can now go online My hunting and fishing record to draw up their file and buy their hunting and fishing licenses for free (without transport coupon). Permits purchased on the platform can then be printed out or saved digitally on a mobile device.
The platform is also a portal where you can find all the information you need to carry out your activities.
Happy fishing season!