Best Times & Seasons to Fish in Montreal (Complete Guide)

The rich waters around Montreal offer some of the best fishing in Canada. Understanding the best seasons and times to fish near Montreal can greatly impact your success.

The best times to fish near Montreal are during the warmer months of spring, summer, and fall, from April to October, when fish are more active in the region’s lakes, rivers, and streams.

Month	Montreal-Area Fishing Location
January	Lac Memphrémagog – Target: Lake Trout – The deep waters of Lac Memphrémagog provide excellent ice fishing opportunities for lake trout during the winter months.
February	Rivière des Prairies – Target: Yellow Perch – The calm waters of Rivière des Prairies offer great fishing for yellow perch during February.
March	Lac Saint-Louis – Target: Walleye – As the ice starts to melt, walleye fishing in Lac Saint-Louis becomes popular, particularly near the river mouths.
April	Rivière des Mille Îles – Target: Northern Pike – The warming waters of Rivière des Mille Îles attract northern pike for exciting spring fishing.
May	Lake Champlain – Target: Smallmouth Bass – In May, head to Lake Champlain for the exciting smallmouth bass fishing season.
June	Lake Memphrémagog – Smallmouth Bass – Fish for smallmouth bass in Lake Memphrémagog during June, as they are in their prime feeding season.
July	Lac des Deux Montagnes – Target: Largemouth Bass – Enjoy the summer season by fishing for largemouth bass in the weed beds of Lac des Deux Montagnes.
August	Lake Memphrémagog – Target: Yellow Perch – August is a great time to catch yellow perch in Lake Memphrémagog, particularly near the shallower areas.
September	Rivière Richelieu – Target: Northern Pike – September brings excellent northern pike fishing opportunities in the scenic Rivière Richelieu.
October	Lac Saint-Louis – Target: Walleye – Walleye fishing picks up in October as the waters cool down in Lac Saint-Louis.
November	Rivière Yamaska – Target: Brown Trout – The fall season is ideal for brown trout fishing in the flowing waters of Rivière Yamaska.
December	Lac Saint-François – Target: Yellow Perch – Finish the year with ice fishing for yellow perch in Lac Saint-François, as the lake freezes over.

This article will discuss the best times and seasons to fish near Montreal. We will also talk about where some of the best fishing in the state is on a month-by-month basis.

Navigate through the top fishing times in Canada for both salt and freshwater with this handy guide.

Best Times: Creeks/Rivers near Montreal

Rivière des Mille Îles – Best Months: April to October, Target: Brook Trout.

Rivière des Prairies – Best Months: April to October, Target: Brook Trout.

Rivière Sainte-Anne – Best Months: April to October, Target: Brook Trout.

Lac Saint-Louis – Best Months: April to October, Target: Brook Trout.

Lac des Deux Montagnes – Best Months: April to October, Target: Walleye, Yellow Perch.

Lake Memphremagog – Best Months: April to October, Target: Smallmouth Bass, Walleye, Yellow Perch.

Lake Champlain – Best Months: April to October, Target: Smallmouth Bass, Largemouth Bass, Northern Pike.

Saint Lawrence River – Best Months: April to October, Target: Walleye, Yellow Perch, Northern Pike.

Rivière du Nord – Best Months: April to October, Target: Brook Trout, Smallmouth Bass.

Rivière Richelieu – Best Months: April to October, Target: Walleye, Yellow Perch, Northern Pike.

Rivière Yamaska – Best Months: April to October, Target: Walleye, Yellow Perch, Smallmouth Bass.

Rivière Saint-François – Best Months: April to October, Target: Walleye, Yellow Perch, Northern Pike.

Rivière L’Assomption – Best Months: April to October, Target: Walleye, Yellow Perch, Northern Pike.

Rivière Rouge – Best Months: April to October, Target: Smallmouth Bass, Walleye, Northern Pike.

Rivière Saint-Jacques – Best Months: April to October, Target: Smallmouth Bass, Walleye, Northern Pike.

Rivière Châteauguay – Best Months: April to October, Target: Smallmouth Bass, Walleye, Northern Pike.

Rivière Sainte-Anne-des-Lacs – Best Months: April to October, Target: Brook Trout, Smallmouth Bass.

Rivière du Diable – Best Months: April to October, Target: Brook Trout, Smallmouth Bass.

Rivière Rouge – Best Months: April to October, Target: Smallmouth Bass, Walleye, Northern Pike.

Rivière Ouareau – Best Months: April to October, Target: Brook Trout, Smallmouth Bass.

Best Times: Lake Fishing near Montreal

Lac Saint-Louis – Best Months: April to October, Target: Walleye, Yellow Perch, Northern Pike.

Lac des Deux Montagnes – Best Months: April to October, Target: Walleye, Yellow Perch, Northern Pike.

Lake Memphremagog – Best Months: April to October, Target: Smallmouth Bass, Walleye, Yellow Perch.

Lake Champlain – Best Months: April to October, Target: Smallmouth Bass, Largemouth Bass, Northern Pike.

Lac Saint-François – Best Months: April to October, Target: Walleye, Yellow Perch, Northern Pike.

Lac Saint-Pierre (St. Lawrence River) – Best Months: April to October, Target: Walleye, Yellow Perch, Northern Pike.

Lac Masson – Best Months: April to October, Target: Smallmouth Bass, Walleye, Northern Pike.

Lac Tremblant – Best Months: April to October, Target: Smallmouth Bass, Walleye, Northern Pike.

Lac Ouimet – Best Months: April to October, Target: Smallmouth Bass, Walleye, Northern Pike.

Lac Taureau – Best Months: April to October, Target: Walleye, Yellow Perch, Northern Pike.

Lac des Sables – Best Months: April to October, Target: Smallmouth Bass, Walleye, Northern Pike.

Lake Ontario (Montreal area) – Best Months: April to October, Target: Chinook Salmon, Coho Salmon, Brown Trout.

Lake Erie (Montreal area) – Best Months: April to October, Target: Walleye, Smallmouth Bass, Yellow Perch.

Lake Simcoe (Montreal area) – Best Months: April to October, Target: Yellow Perch, Smallmouth Bass, Northern Pike.

Lake St. Francis (St. Lawrence River) – Best Months: April to October, Target: Walleye, Yellow Perch, Northern Pike.

Lake Saint-Pierre (St. Lawrence River) – Best Months: April to October, Target: Walleye, Yellow Perch, Northern Pike.

Lake Saint-François (St. Lawrence River) – Best Months: April to October, Target: Walleye, Yellow Perch, Northern Pike.

Check out this helpful guide for picking the best times and seasons to fish in Saskatchewan. You may also like this article on the best times to fish in Alberta throughout the year.

Species Seasonal Breakdown

Smallmouth Bass

Smallmouth bass fishing near Montreal is best during the warmer months of spring, summer, and fall, from May to October. These fish are often more active during early morning or late afternoon. Some of the best locations near Montreal for fishing smallmouth bass include Lac Saint-Louis, Lac des Deux Montagnes, Lake Memphremagog, and Lake Champlain.

Largemouth Bass

Largemouth bass fishing near Montreal is best during the warmer months of spring, summer, and fall, from May to October. These fish are often more active during early morning or late afternoon. Some of the best locations near Montreal for fishing largemouth bass include Lac Saint-Louis, Lac des Deux Montagnes, Lake Memphremagog, and Lake Champlain.

Walleye

From May to October, walleye fishing near Montreal is best during the warmer months of spring, summer, and fall. These fish are often more active during early morning or late afternoon. Some of the best locations near Montreal for fishing walleye include the Saint Lawrence River, Lac Saint-Louis, Lac des Deux Montagnes, and Lake Memphremagog.

Musky

Musky fishing near Montreal is best during the warmer months of summer and early fall, from June to October. These fish are often more active during early morning or late afternoon. Some of the best locations near Montreal for fishing musky include Lake Memphremagog, Lake Champlain, Rivière des Outaouais (Ottawa River), and Lac des Deux Montagnes.

Lake Trout

Lake trout fishing near Montreal is best during the colder months of late fall, winter, and early spring, from November to April. These fish are often more active during daylight hours. Some of the best locations near Montreal for fishing lake trout include Lac Saint-Pierre, Lac des Deux Montagnes, Lake Memphremagog, and Lake Champlain.

Rainbow Trout

Rainbow trout fishing near Montreal is best during the spring, summer, and fall months, from April to October. These fish are often more active during early morning or late afternoon. Some of the best locations near Montreal for fishing rainbow trout include Rivière des Mille Îles, Rivière des Prairies, Rivière Sainte-Anne, and Lac Saint-Louis.

Brown Trout

Brown trout fishing near Montreal is best during the spring, fall, and winter months, from April to December. These fish are often more active during early morning or late afternoon. Some of the best locations near Montreal for fishing brown trout include Rivière des Mille Îles, Rivière des Prairies, Rivière Sainte-Anne, and Lac Saint-Louis.

Brook Trout

Brook trout fishing near Montreal is best during the spring, summer, and fall months, from April to October. These fish are often more active during early morning or late afternoon. Some of the best locations near Montreal for fishing brook trout include Rivière des Mille Îles, Rivière des Prairies, Rivière Sainte-Anne, and Lac Saint-Louis.

Catfish

Catfish fishing near Montreal is best during the warmer months of spring, summer, and fall, from May to October. These fish are often more active during early morning or late afternoon. Some of the best locations near Montreal for fishing catfish include the Saint Lawrence River, Rivière des Prairies, Rivière des Mille Îles, and Lac Saint-Louis.

Striped Bass

Striped bass fishing near Montreal is best during the warmer months of spring, summer, and fall, from May to October. These fish are often more active during early morning or late afternoon. Some of the best locations near Montreal for fishing striped bass include the Saint Lawrence River, Rivière des Prairies, Lac Saint-Louis, and Lake Champlain.

Yellow Perch

Perch fishing near Montreal is best from May to October during the warmer months of spring, summer, and fall. These fish are often more active during daylight hours. Some of the best locations near Montreal for fishing perch include Lac Saint-Louis, Lac des Deux Montagnes, Lake Memphremagog, and Rivière des Prairies.

Whitefish

Whitefish fishing near Montreal is best during the colder months of late fall and winter, from November to February. These fish are often more active during daylight hours. Some of the best locations near Montreal for fishing whitefish include Lac Saint-Pierre, Lac des Deux Montagnes, Lac Saint-Louis, and Lake Memphremagog.

Atlantic Salmon

Atlantic salmon fishing near Montreal is best during the summer and early fall, from June to September. These fish are often more active during early morning or late afternoon. Some of the best locations near Montreal for fishing Atlantic salmon include the Saint Lawrence River, Rivière Sainte-Anne, Rivière Matane, and Rivière Moisie.

Northern Pike

Pike fishing near Montreal is best during the warmer months of spring, summer, and fall, from May to October. These fish are often more active during early morning or late afternoon. Some of the best locations near Montreal for fishing pike include Saint Lawrence River, Lac Saint-Louis, Lac des Deux Montagnes, and Rivière des Prairies.

Best Fishing near Montreal on a Seasonal Basis

Winter

Lake Saint-Louis – Target: Yellow Perch, Walleye, Northern Pike.
Lac des Deux Montagnes – Target: Yellow Perch, Walleye, Northern Pike.
Lac Saint-Pierre – Target: Yellow Perch, Walleye, Northern Pike.
Lake Memphremagog – Target: Yellow Perch, Walleye, Northern Pike.
Lac Saint-François – Target: Yellow Perch, Walleye, Northern Pike.
Rivière des Mille Îles – Target: Yellow Perch, Walleye, Northern Pike.

Spring

Saint Lawrence River – Target: Northern Pike, Walleye, Yellow Perch.
Lac Saint-Louis – Target: Northern Pike, Walleye, Yellow Perch.
Lac des Deux Montagnes – Target: Northern Pike, Walleye, Yellow Perch.
Lake Memphremagog – Target: Northern Pike, Walleye, Yellow Perch.
Lake Champlain – Target: Smallmouth Bass, Largemouth Bass, Northern Pike.
Rivière des Prairies – Target: Northern Pike, Walleye, Yellow Perch.

Summer

Saint Lawrence River – Target: Smallmouth Bass, Walleye, Yellow Perch.
Lac Saint-Louis – Target: Smallmouth Bass, Walleye, Yellow Perch.
Lac des Deux Montagnes – Target: Smallmouth Bass, Walleye, Yellow Perch.
Lake Memphremagog – Target: Smallmouth Bass, Walleye, Yellow Perch.
Lake Champlain – Target: Smallmouth Bass, Largemouth Bass, Northern Pike.
Rivière des Prairies – Target: Smallmouth Bass, Walleye, Yellow Perch.

Fall

Saint Lawrence River – Target: Walleye, Yellow Perch, Northern Pike.
Lac Saint-Louis – Target: Walleye, Yellow Perch, Northern Pike.
Lac des Deux Montagnes – Target: Walleye, Yellow Perch, Northern Pike.
Lake Memphremagog – Target: Smallmouth Bass, Walleye, Yellow Perch.
Lake Champlain – Target: Smallmouth Bass, Largemouth Bass, Northern Pike.
Rivière des Mille Îles – Target: Walleye, Yellow Perch, Northern Pike.