Quebec fishery rules updated for Atlantic salmon

Summary#

These are the final Regulations Amending the Quebec Fishery Regulations, 1990 (SOR/2024-198). They update tagging and registration for Atlantic salmon, clarify rules about bait fish and possession of fish, adjust some definitions and fishing-area descriptions, and correct geographic coordinates. The rules came into force on October 23, 2024.

What it does#

• Changes who can issue certain licences by amending the definition of “Minister”, so the Ministère de l’Environnement, de la Lutte contre les changements climatiques, de la Faune et des Parcs (MELCCFP) can issue some assistant-fisher licences related to bait-fish fishing.
• Rewrites the definition of sport fishing to focus on recreational or personal use rather than listing gear and methods.
• Strengthens and clarifies tagging and registration for Atlantic salmon:
  • Licence holders must affix tags in the indicated order and only use tags that are unused and legible.
  • Online-printed or precut tags and laminated or protected tags are acceptable if the information stays legible.
  • Fishers must register a retained Atlantic salmon within 48 hours of leaving the fishing location, or immediately if requested by a fishery officer.
  • The regulations set a priority order for registration methods and add online or remote registration options.
• Prohibits possession of fish caught in breach of the regulations (possession of illegally caught fish is not allowed).
• Tightens rules on bait fish:
  • No possession or use of bait fish in waters where bait use is banned and within 100 m of those waters, except inside a dwelling.
  • Commercial bait fishers and authorised self-harvesters are exempt from that possession ban.
  • Self-harvest of bait fish is allowed under specified conditions; outside authorised periods or areas a fisher may use no more than one lift net or three bait traps.
  • The winter close time for bait-fish-related restrictions runs from April 1 to March 31 (i.e., an annual close time is specified).
• Clarifies gear limits: when more than one line is permitted, using more than the allowed number is prohibited.
• Bans sport fishing methods other than angling in Areas 17, 22, 23 and 24.
• Adds a prohibition on possessing fish taken by sport fishing in waters and periods where sport fishing is closed.
• Updates and corrects many geographic limits and coordinates in Schedule 6 to fix mapping issues.
• Makes minor wording and consistency changes across the Quebec Fishery Regulations, 1990 to help enforcement and administration.

Who's affected#

• Sport fishers in Quebec, especially Atlantic salmon anglers (tagging and registration changes).
• People who harvest or use bait fish: both commercial bait-fish fishers and those who self-harvest bait.
• Outfitters, guides and small businesses that serve recreational fishers (many changes are clarifications; the government expects minimal cost impacts).
• Wildlife protection officers and the MELCCFP, who enforce and administer the rules.
• Indigenous communities and organizations involved in Quebec fishery management and the James Bay and Northern Quebec Agreement areas (some rules explicitly reference those Areas).
• In general, anyone who fishes, transports, or possesses fish in Quebec waters may need to adjust practices to meet clearer possession, tagging and registration requirements.

Why it matters#

• Better tagging and clearer registration (including online options) make it easier to track catches. That helps managers respond to year-to-year changes in Atlantic salmon numbers and can support conservation.
• Clearer possession and bait rules make enforcement simpler. Fishers are less likely to be confused about where and when they can use or carry bait or fish.
• Allowing online printing and protected tags reduces practical problems for fishers who buy licences and tags online.
• The allowance and clarification for self-harvesting bait fish (with limits) can help people who rely on their own bait, especially during ice fishing, while keeping limits to protect resources.
• Breaking down and fixing geographic errors in the regulations reduces uncertainty about where rules apply on specific lakes and rivers.
• Penalties for offences under the Fisheries Act (which apply to these regulations) can be substantial — fines up to $100,000 for summary conviction are authorized, though most penalties imposed in practice are less than $500.