How Well Do You Know the Sport Fishing Rules in Quebec?

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For many people, fishing is a beloved pastime … but fishing by the rules is even better! Before you grab your favourite hat, rubber boots, and a tackle box full of shiny lures, test your knowledge with this fun and informative quiz about sport fishing in Quebec.

A person fly fishing in a river at sunrise, casting a line.

Quebec is divided into 29 fishing zones, and each has its own set of rules depending on the fish species present at the location. This means that rules can vary based on the fishing location, the species you’re targeting, the time of year, and the type of fishing method you’re using. 

Before heading out, make sure to: 

  • Carry a valid fishing licence and photo ID, if needed. 
  • Know your fishing zone. 
  • Follow limits on quotas, fishing periods, possession limits, and catch size based on species and zone. 
  • Use the right gear (hooks, lures, bait). 
  • Learn how to identify the fish you catch during sport fishing especially when transporting them or when you have them in your possession (saying “a long fish with stripes” won’t cut it during a check!). Tip: The iPêche mobile app is free, works offline, and can help you identify freshwater fish in Quebec. 

Breaking the rules can lead to fines that depend on the seriousness of the offence. 

Quiz sur la pêche (ANG)

When can you fish without a license?

Wrong answer

As a general rule, you need a valid fishing license to practise sport fishing. But there are exceptions to this rule. You don’t need a fishing license to fish: 

  •  during the Fête de la pêche (French only), a free festival that takes place every year. In 2025, the festival will be held on June 6, 7 and 8. You still have to respect quotas on the fish you catch, as well as the authorized fishing periods in the different fishing zones. You’ll also have to release any Atlantic salmon you catch.
  • if you’re under 18 years old and have a Pêche en herbe (French only) or Relève à la pêche certificate, as long as you release any salmon you catch.
  • if you fish specific fish species, like rainbow smelt or Atlantic tomcod in certain zones, or freshwater crustaceans.
  • in fish ponds or in Parks Canada national parks (Forillon, Archipel-de-Mingan, Mauricie). 

Good answer

As a general rule, you need a valid fishing license to practise sport fishing. But there are exceptions to this rule. You don’t need a fishing license to fish: 

  •  during the Fête de la pêche (French only), a free festival that takes place every year. In 2025, the festival will be held on June 6, 7 and 8. You still have to respect quotas on the fish you catch, as well as the authorized fishing periods in the different fishing zones. You’ll also have to release any Atlantic salmon you catch.
  • if you’re under 18 years old and have a Pêche en herbe (French only) or Relève à la pêche certificate, as long as you release any salmon you catch.
  • if you fish specific fish species, like rainbow smelt or Atlantic tomcod in certain zones, or freshwater crustaceans.
  • in fish ponds or in Parks Canada national parks (Forillon, Archipel-de-Mingan, Mauricie). 

Since 2017, what’s the rule on using live bait fish?

Good answer

Since April 1, 2017, the use and possession of live bait fish, regardless of species or season, is not allowed.  
Only certain dead bait fish are allowed, as long as they’re not from a banned species like trout, walleye, or pike.   
It’s also prohibited to use any saltwater fish species as bait fish, except for capelin, herring, mackerel and freshwater mollusks or crustaceans. Using fish species designated by the Species at Risk Act is also never allowed.  

Wrong answer

Since April 1, 2017, the use and possession of live bait fish, regardless of species or season, is not allowed.  
Only certain dead bait fish are allowed, as long as they’re not from a banned species like trout, walleye, or pike.   
It’s also prohibited to use any saltwater fish species as bait fish, except for capelin, herring, mackerel and freshwater mollusks or crustaceans. Using fish species designated by the Species at Risk Act is also never allowed.

What’s the maximum number of Atlantic salmon you can keep?

Wrong answer

You can keep a maximum of four Atlantic salmon per season, from April 1 to March 31 of the following year.

This includes all the salmons you’ve kept, regardless of how many rivers you fish at. A specific salmon fishing licence is also required. 

Good answer

You can keep a maximum of four Atlantic salmon per season, from April 1 to March 31 of the following year.

This includes all the salmons you’ve kept, regardless of how many rivers you fish at. A specific salmon fishing licence is also required. 

How many fishing lines can you use at the same time?

Wrong answer

You can use only one line at a time, except during ice fishing. 

This applies even if you know many different fishing techniques. Fishing with more than one line at a time is not allowed unless you’re ice fishing in the winter. When ice fishing, you can use up to five or ten lines at once, depending on the fishing zone.  

Note that if multiple people are fishing under the same licence, each person is allowed one line. 

Good answer

You can use only one line at a time, except during ice fishing. 

This applies even if you know many different fishing techniques. Fishing with more than one line at a time is not allowed unless you’re ice fishing in the winter. When ice fishing, you can use up to five or ten lines at once, depending on the fishing zone. 

Note that if multiple people are fishing under the same licence, each person is allowed one line. 

Who can share your fishing licence?

Good answer

Other people can use your licence to fish if you’re at least 18 years old, but only in certain situations. For example:

  • Your spouse can fish with your licence if you’re together or if they have your licence with them.
  • Your minor children, or the minor children of your spouse can fish with your licence if they’re under your supervision or if they have your licence with them.
  • Your children who are between 18 and 24 years old, inclusively, as well as your spouse’s children of the same age, if they have your licence and a valid student card with them. 

But remember: the daily catch limit is shared. You can’t just double the limit you’re authorized for because you’re sharing your licence with others. The rules are different in the case of a sport fishing licence for Atlantic salmon.  

Wrong answer

Other people can use your licence to fish if you’re at least 18 years old, but only in certain situations. For example:

  • Your spouse can fish with your licence if you’re together or if they have your licence with them. 
  • Your minor children, or the minor children of your spouse can fish with your licence if they’re under your supervision or if they have your licence with them. 
  • Your children who are between 18 and 24 years old, inclusively, as well as your spouse’s children of the same age, if they have your licence and a valid student card with them. 

But remember: the daily catch limit is shared. You can’t just double the limit you’re authorized for because you’re sharing your licence with others. The rules are different in the case of a sport fishing licence for Atlantic salmon.  

What’s the proper way to measure a fish?

Wrong answer

For most species, measure from the tip of the nose to the end of the tail. This is called the “total length” of a fish.

But for Atlantic salmon, the rule is different. Measure from the tip of the nose to the tail fork, where the fish’s tail splits. This method of measuring makes it possible to distinguish small salmon (less than 63 cm) from large salmon (63 cm or more). 

Why measure?

For pride, of course … but also because length limits may apply to certain species depending on the fishing zone. 

To find the exact rules for your fishing zone, visit the Quebec government’s web page on fishing zones. 

Good answer

For most species, measure from the tip of the nose to the end of the tail. This is called the “total length” of a fish.

But for Atlantic salmon, the rule is different. Measure from the tip of the nose to the tail fork, where the fish’s tail splits. This method of measuring makes it possible to distinguish small salmon (less than 63 cm) from large salmon (63 cm or more). 

Why measure?

For pride, of course … but also because length limits may apply to certain species depending on the fishing zone. 

To find the exact rules for your fishing zone, visit the Quebec government’s web page on fishing zones.