Fishing
A Larger-Than-Life Fishing Destination
With thousands of lakes, legendary rivers, cold waters, and exceptional wildlife territories, the Côte-Nord is one of Québec's premier sport fishing destinations. From salmon rivers to remote lakes accessible by road, boat, or floatplane, the region offers an authentic experience in the heart of the boreal forest, between the St. Lawrence River, taiga, mountains, islands, and vast wilderness.
Whether you are looking for accessible day fishing, an outfitter stay with accommodation, a guided adventure, or a multi-day expedition, the outfitters, zecs, and wildlife territories of the Côte-Nord offer fishing experiences suited to your skill level, budget, and target species.
What Species Can You Fish on the Côte-Nord?
The Côte-Nord is known for the diversity of its salmonids and the quality of its bodies of water. Depending on the sector, season, type of territory, and applicable regulations, anglers may fish for species such as:
- brook trout, also known as speckled trout;
- native brook trout from non-stocked lakes;
- sea-run brook trout, also known as anadromous brook trout;
- lake trout, also known as grey trout;
- Arctic char;
- landlocked salmon;
- Atlantic salmon;
- rainbow trout;
- northern pike, in certain sectors.
Species availability varies from one territory to another. Before booking, consult the listing for the outfitter or territory you have chosen to learn about the species available, package types, access, services offered, and rules specific to each body of water.
Salmon Fishing: A Highly Regulated Activity
The Côte-Nord is recognized for its Atlantic salmon rivers, but salmon fishing is highly regulated. Seasons, accessible sectors, access rights, quotas, mandatory catch-and-release rules, and reservation procedures may vary from one river to another. Before planning your outing, consult the official Government of Québec regulations, as well as the information published by Saumon Québec and by the manager of the river you plan to visit.
For a simpler experience, several outfitters, zecs, wildlife reserves, and local businesses can help you prepare your stay.
Fish Responsibly
The Côte-Nord's rich wildlife depends on sensitive natural environments. To preserve the quality of the experience and the health of fish populations, adopt responsible practices: respect quotas, handle fish carefully, release catches when required, leave no waste behind, clean your boat and equipment to help prevent the spread of invasive species, and follow the rules of the territory you are visiting.
Useful Links to Plan Your Fishing Trip
- Consult the official sport fishing regulations in Québec
- Check the specific rules for zones 18, 19, and 20
- Find an outfitter with Pourvoiries Québec
- Explore zecs with Réseau Zec
- Discover Côte-Nord outfitters
- View hunting and fishing packages from Tourisme Côte-Nord
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Brook trout (speckled trout - Salvelinus fontinalis)
This delicious salmonid is one of the easiest to catch and the favourite fish of Quebec fishing lovers. This fish is sensitive to the quality of water where he lives and he prefers clear, fresh and well oxygenated water. We could found him in most of lakes and rivers of the outfitters in Cote-Nord.
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Native brook trout (Salvelinus fontinalis)
Native brook trout is particularly sensitive to pollution and water quality. The ecosystems of Cote-Nord and the great characteristics of its waters contribute to the abundance of salmonids in most of the outfitters in this area. Cote-Nord is the region in Quebec where we count more outfitters offering this species.
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Sea trout (brook trout anadromous - Salvelinus fontinalis)
In Quebec, we name sea trout the migratory species of brook trout. This combative salmonid fished in rivers, in estuaries or coastal waters, feeding on the sea and spawn in freshwater. Sea trout common name often corresponding to several salmonid species living at sea, such as rainbow trout in the United States, brown trout in France, etc.
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Arctic charr (Salvelinus alpinus)
Two subspecies of Arctic charr are found in Quebec. The first live in fresh water in the southern part of the province and swim in the same deep water as the lake charr. This species is likely to be designated threatened or vulnerable, with the exception of the population of Cote-Nord, which is not in danger. The other subspecies is anadromous and is found abundantly in North of the 55th parallel.
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Lake charr (lake trout - Salvelinus namaycush)
This large salmonid is one of the most popular sport fish in Quebec. He doesn't like the light and generally lives in depth cold, clear and well oxygenated waters. To feed, he moves in shallower areas such as shoals, beds or beaches. We fished most often by trolling of flyfishing.
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Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar)
Often described as the King of salmon, wild Atlantic salmon is a migratory fish living in cold water, born in river, living at sea and reproduces in the river where he is born. More than half of the rivers in Cote-Nord are salmon rivers and some are the best-known salmon rivers in North America.
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Ouananiche (Salmo salar ouananiche)
The ouananiche is also known as landlocked salmon. This vigorous salmonid is the same species as Atlantic salmon, the only difference that it lives in lake while salmon lives at sea. The ouananiche is generally smaller than the latter and the native species is found in many lakes of Cote-Nord. Depending on the circumstances, the ouananiche is fished by trolling or flyfishing.
Arctic charr
Lake charr
Atlantic salmon
Ouananiche
Brook trout
Native brook trout
Sea trout
