Quebec manages fishing by numbered zones (1–29) with a general licence plus separate salmon licences. Live bait fish are prohibited in most of the province for most of the year — the 2017 rules restricted live minnows to a few zones in winter — so Quebec anglers fish artificials, worms and leeches. Outfitters (pourvoiries) and ZECs manage much of the best water.
Key waters and what to tie
| Water | Species | Rigs that work |
|---|---|---|
| Lac Saint-Pierre & St. Lawrence | Walleye (doré), perch, pike, muskie, channel cats | Jig and minnow (plastic), slip bobber with worm, three-way rig |
| Richelieu & Lac Saint-François | Largemouth, smallmouth, walleye, muskie | Texas rig, drop shot, flatline trolling |
| Eastern Townships (Memphrémagog, Brome, Massawippi) | Lake trout, landlocked salmon, smallmouth, largemouth | Flatline trolling, wacky rig, drop shot |
| Laurentians & Mauricie | Brook trout, lake trout, walleye, pike | Split-shot rig, dry-dropper rig, wire leader spoon |
| Outaouais / Ottawa River | Walleye, smallmouth, pike, muskie | Drop shot, bottom bouncer, quick-strike rig |
| Abitibi & Baie-James | Walleye, pike, lake trout, brook trout | Jig and plastic, Lindy rig, wire leader spoon |
| Gaspésie & Côte-Nord salmon rivers | Atlantic salmon, sea-run brook trout | Fly only — nymph/wet fly rigs; see river rules |
| Saguenay–Lac-Saint-Jean | Ouananiche (landlocked salmon), walleye, pike | Flatline trolling, three-way rig |
Seasons
Most zones: walleye/pike from mid-May, bass from mid-late June, trout from late April; salmon June–September. Winter walleye is closed in several southern zones. Dates vary by zone and are published by MELCCFP.
Bait rules
Live baitfish are banned in nearly all zones in summer and most in winter; dead baitfish also restricted. Worms, leeches and artificial baits are the norm. Check the zone table before using any bait.
Seasons, zones and limits change yearly. Always confirm with the current provincial regulations summary before fishing.