Best Times & Seasons to Fish in Quebec, Canada (Full Guide)

Quebec offers some of the best fishing in Canada. Understanding the best seasons and times to fish in Quebec can greatly impact your success.

The best times to fish in Quebec are early morning and late evening. Summer and fall are the best months for most species in Quebec.

Month	Quebec Fishing Location
January	Lac Saint-Pierre for ice fishing for walleye
February	Lake Memphremagog for ice fishing for lake trout and yellow perch
March	Sainte-Anne River for early season Atlantic salmon fishing
April	Lac Saint-Pierre for walleye fishing
May	Lake Saint-François for bass fishing
June	Lake Saint-Pierre for walleye fishing
July	Saguenay Fjord for Atlantic salmon fishing
August	Lake Témiscouata for smallmouth bass fishing
September	Grand Cascapedia River for Atlantic salmon fishing
October	Lake Memphremagog for smallmouth bass fishing
November	Saint-Louis River for walleye fishing
December	Lake Saint-Pierre for yellow perch ice fishing

In this article, we will discuss the best times and seasons to fish in Quebec. We will also talk about where some of the best fishing in the province is on a month-by-month basis.

Explore this informative guide on the optimal fishing times in Canada, covering both saltwater and freshwater seasons.

Best of Creeks/Rivers to Fly Fish in Quebec

Petite Cascapédia River – Atlantic salmon – July and August

Grand Cascapédia River – Atlantic salmon – July and August

Restigouche River – Atlantic salmon – June and July

Matapedia River – Atlantic salmon – June and July

Moisie River – Atlantic salmon – July and August

Sainte-Anne River – Atlantic salmon – June and July

Saint-Jean River – Atlantic salmon – June and July

York River – Atlantic salmon – June and July

Saint-François River – Brown trout and brook trout – May and June

Rivière du Diable – Brook trout – May and June

Petite-Nation River – Brook trout – May and June

Gatineau River – Smallmouth bass and northern pike – June and July

Maskinongé River – Smallmouth bass and northern pike – June and July

Saint-Maurice River – Brook trout – May and June

Bersimis River – Atlantic salmon – July and August

Ashuapmushuan River – Brook trout and lake trout – June and July

Escoumins River – Atlantic salmon – July and August

Manouane River – Brook trout and lake trout – June and July

Jacques-Cartier River – Brook trout – May and June

Betsiamites River – Atlantic salmon – July and August

Best Lakes/Rivers to Fish in Quebec

Lake Memphremagog – Walleye and lake trout – May and June

Lake Champlain – Largemouth bass and smallmouth bass – June and July

Lac Saint-Jean – Walleye and northern pike – June and July

Lake Saint-Francois – Largemouth bass and smallmouth bass – June and July

Lac des Deux Montagnes – Walleye and northern pike – May and June

Lake Baskatong – Walleye and northern pike – June and July

Lac Saint-Pierre – Walleye and northern pike – June and July

Lake Magog – Smallmouth bass and lake trout – May and June

Lake Massawippi – Lake trout and landlocked salmon – May and June

Lake Mégantic – Lake trout and brook trout – June and July

Lac Témiscamingue – Walleye and northern pike – June and July

Lake Kipawa – Lake trout and walleye – June and July

Lake Tadoussac – Atlantic salmon and lake trout – July and August

Lake Saint-Pierre – Largemouth bass and smallmouth bass – June and July

Lake Kenogami – Walleye and northern pike – June and July

Lake Ouimet – Smallmouth bass and lake trout – May and June

Lac Taureau – Walleye and northern pike – June and July

Lake Saint-Louis – Largemouth bass and smallmouth bass – June and July

Lake Nipissing – Walleye and northern pike – June and July

Lake Simcoe – Lake trout and whitefish – May and June

Check out this helpful guide for picking the best times to fish in Manitoba. You may also like this article on the best times to fish in the Yukon.

Species Seasonal Breakdown

Atlantic Salmon

The best time to fly fish for Atlantic salmon in Quebec is generally from June to September. Early mornings and late evenings are often the best times to fish. Some of the best locations for Atlantic salmon fishing in Quebec include the Grand Cascapedia River, Petite Cascapedia River, and the Matane River.

Brook Trout

The best time to fish for brook trout is from late May to early September, when the water is warmer and the fish are more active. Early morning or late afternoon are usually the best times to fish, as brook trout tend to feed during these times.

Some of the best locations for fly fishing for brook trout in Quebec include the rivers and streams of the Gaspe Peninsula, particularly the Cascapedia and Grand Cascapedia rivers. The Matapedia River is also a great spot for brook trout fishing, as is the Petite Cascapedia River.

Brown Trout

If you’re looking to fly fish for brown trout in Quebec, the best time to go is from May to October. Brown trout feed actively during the day, so you’ll have the best luck in the morning and afternoon. As for the best locations, you’ll definitely want to check out the Sainte-Anne River, the Matapedia River, and the Dartmouth River. These rivers have lots of brown trout and beautiful scenery to enjoy while you’re fishing.

Burbot

The best time to fish for burbot is typically from December to March, and they are most active at night. Some of Quebec’s best locations to catch burbot include the St. Lawrence River, Lac Saint-Jean, and the Saguenay Fjord.

Rainbow Trout

When it comes to fly fishing for rainbow trout in Quebec, the best time is generally during the summer months, specifically June through August. Early morning or late evening are the best times to fish for them, as they tend to be more active during those times. As for the best locations, some top spots to check out include the Matapedia River, Sainte-Anne River, and the Dartmouth River.

Arctic Char

Arctic char is typically best fished in Quebec during the summer months of June through August, with early mornings and late evenings being the optimal times of day. Some of the best locations to fly fish for Arctic char in Quebec include the George River, the Kuujjua River, and the Mistassini River, which are known for their abundance of this species.

Lake Trout

Lake trout in Quebec can be fished throughout the year, but the best time to fish for them is during the months of May to October. The best time of day to fish for lake trout is early in the morning or late in the afternoon. Some of the best locations for lake trout fishing in Quebec include Lake Superior, Lake Mistassini, and Lake Saint-Jean.

Northern Pike

The best time to fish for pike in Quebec is during the spring and fall months when the water is cooler. The best time of day to fish for pike is early morning or late evening when they are more active. Some of the best locations to fish for pike in Quebec include the St. Lawrence River, Lake Saint-Pierre, and Lake Memphremago

Whitefish

Whitefish can be caught throughout the year, but the best time to fish for them in Quebec is during the fall and winter months. The peak season for whitefish is typically from late September to early December, and they are usually most active in the early morning or late afternoon. The best locations to fish for whitefish in Quebec are in the large lakes and rivers, such as Lake Memphremagog, the St. Lawrence River, and Lake Champlain.

Walleye

The best time to fish for walleye is usually in the spring and early summer, around May and June, and then again in the fall around September and October. They tend to be most active during low-light conditions, such as early morning or late afternoon, so try fishing during those times.

As for locations, there are plenty of great spots to fish for walleye in Quebec. The St. Lawrence River, Lake Saint-Pierre, and Lac Saint-Jean are all popular locations.

Catfish

When it comes to fishing for catfish in Quebec, the best time of year is usually during the warmer months of the summer, from June to August. The best time of day to fish for catfish is usually during the evening or nighttime hours. Some of the best locations in Quebec to fish for catfish include the Richelieu River, the St. Lawrence River, and Lake Saint-Pierre.

Largemouth Bass

The best months to fish for largemouth bass in Quebec are typically from May through September, when the water is warmer and the fish are more active. As for the best time of day, early morning and late afternoon are usually the most productive times.

When it comes to finding the best locations for fishing largemouth bass in Quebec, there are a few spots that are known to be hotspots for these fish. The St. Lawrence River, Lake St. Louis, and Lake Champlain are all popular locations that are known to produce good catches of largemouth bass.

Smallmouth Bass

The best time of year to fish for smallmouth bass is typically from May to October, when the water is warmer and the fish are more active. Early morning and late afternoon are usually the most productive times of day to fish.

When it comes to finding the best locations for smallmouth bass in Quebec, there are a few spots that are known to be good. The Ottawa River, the St. Lawrence River, and Lake Memphremagog are all popular locations that are known to produce good catches of smallmouth bass.

Carp

If you’re looking to catch some carp in Quebec, the best time to fish for them is during summer, especially in July and August. Carp are more active in the early morning or late evening, so it’s best to fish during these times. Some good locations to catch carp include the St. Lawrence River, Lake St. Pierre, and the Richelieu River.

Yellow Perch

Fishing for yellow perch in Quebec is best during the spring and fall seasons. The best months to fish for perch are April through June and September through November. You can catch perch during the day or night. Some good locations for perch fishing in Quebec are Lake Saint-Pierre, Lake Memphremagog, and the St. Lawrence River.

Best Fishing in Quebec on a Seasonal Basis

Winter

Lac Saint-Pierre: This lake is known for its walleye fishing during the winter months. You can find these fish in shallow waters, especially around sunset.
Lac des Deux-Montagnes: Here, you can catch yellow perch, which are plentiful and relatively easy to catch. Try using small jigs or live bait to attract them.
Lac Saint-Louis: This lake is great for ice fishing for northern pike. These fish tend to stay in deeper waters during the winter, so you may need to use a fish finder to locate them.
Lac Memphrémagog: You can find lake trout and yellow perch here. Lake trout tend to stay in deeper waters, while yellow perch can be found in shallower areas.

Spring

Sainte-Marguerite River – This river is known for its impressive brook trout, and is a popular spot for fly fishing.
Lac Memphrémagog – This lake is a great spot for catching landlocked salmon and lake trout, especially in the spring when they are close to shore.
Rivière Betsiamites – This river is known for its large Atlantic salmon and is a popular destination for anglers from around the world.
Saint Lawrence River – The Saint Lawrence River is home to a wide variety of fish species, including walleye, northern pike, and smallmouth bass, making it a great spot for anglers of all skill levels in the spring.

Summer

The St. Lawrence River near Quebec City is known for its Atlantic salmon and striped bass fishing during summer.
Lake St. Pierre is a popular spot for walleye and northern pike fishing in the summer, as well as smallmouth bass.
Lac Saint-Jean is a prime location for lake trout and landlocked salmon fishing during the summer season.
The Saguenay Fjord is a great spot for Atlantic salmon fishing during the summer months, with anglers typically targeting the deeper pools and runs.

Fall

The Saguenay River for Atlantic Salmon: A world-renowned spot for catching the elusive Atlantic salmon that migrate up the river in the fall.
Lake Saint-Jean for Walleye: The cooler fall temperatures make the walleye more active, making Lake Saint-Jean a top spot for catching these popular gamefish.
The Rivière du Loup for Rainbow Trout: This river is known for its beautiful fall foliage and for its abundance of rainbow trout.
The Saint Lawrence River for Sturgeon: Fall is the best time to catch the prehistoric-looking sturgeon in the Saint Lawrence River, with many anglers enjoying the challenge of reeling in these powerful fish.