— live baitfish, banned species, salt water, equipment
These are the official rules on bait use for sport fishing in Quebec, sourced from the Ministère de l'Environnement, de la Lutte contre les changements climatiques, de la Faune et des Parcs (MELCCFP). The rules below apply province-wide; specific zones may add restrictions — always check your zone's rules.
These baits are NOT classified as "baitfish" under Quebec regulation. Their use is generally allowed unless your specific zone says otherwise. For frogs, a hunting permit is required (valid July 15 – November 15 for leopard frog, green frog, and bullfrog). Frog hunting is banned in zones 17, 19 north, and 22–24, and in all wildlife reserves.
Use or possession of live baitfish, regardless of species, is banned everywhere in Quebec — including for ice fishing. The 33 freshwater species below are also banned as bait even when dead, because using them risks introducing invasive species and diseases into water bodies.
All saltwater species are banned as bait EXCEPT: capelin, herring, mackerel, plus saltwater mollusks and crustaceans. Species protected under the federal Species at Risk Act are also banned.
Possession or use of dead baitfish (including dead shrimp) is allowed only in certain waters, during ice fishing periods, and at any time inside a dwelling. Rules vary per zone — check your zone's page to find out which species are allowed and during which periods.
To catch baitfish you must: hold a valid sport fishing permit, fish in waters and periods where it is allowed, use a seine net OR at most three minnow traps (except in zones 17, 22–24 and fly-only waters), label unattended traps with your name, address and permit number, and respect baitfish possession rules.
Importing baitfish, dead or alive, is BANNED. There are no exceptions.
Under Quebec regulation, a baitfish is any fish, mollusk, crustacean (e.g. shrimp, crayfish), or marine animal — and any part of these animals including eggs, sperm, milt, spawn, larvae, spat, or fry — intended for use as fishing bait.
For binding regulatory advice, contact the MELCCFP — Biodiversity, Wildlife and Parks customer service directly.
Mon, Tue, Thu, Fri: 8:30–12:00 and 13:00–16:30; Wed: 10:00–12:00 and 13:00–16:30
This page summarizes official rules in plain language for sport anglers. It is not legal advice — always verify against the MFFP source and your zone's specific regulation.