2026 calendar of Quebec fishing tournaments and events: Fishing Festival, FédéCP Provincial Games, Big Bass Challenge, walleye, bass, carp and ice-fishing tournaments, with registration, prizes and FAQ.
Quebec buzzes with fishing tournaments and events from the first February thaw right through to the last outings of October. Whether you're after walleye, bass, pike or carp, the 2026 season offers a packed calendar: free family days, pro circuits, club tournaments and ice-fishing competitions. This pillar guide gathers the must-attend dates, sorted by date and by species, and explains how to register, what you can win and how the standings work. For the always-current list and sign-ups, keep an eye on our all events page.
Key takeaway — The 2026 season opens on February 28 (Lac Cayamant ice tournament) and peaks in June with the Fishing Festival (June 5-7) and the FédéCP Provincial Fishing Games (June 26-28, Estrie). The Big Bass Challenge circuit runs seven stops from January to October. A valid fishing license is required, except during the Fishing Festival.
2026 fishing tournament and event calendar
Here are the main confirmed dates for the 2026 season, from southwestern Quebec to Témiscamingue and the Lower St. Lawrence. Note the dates you like and book early: the top stops often sell out.
| Event | Date | Location | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Big Bass Challenge — stop 1 | January 24 | Lachine Marina | Bass |
| Lac Cayamant ice tournament | February 28 | Lac Cayamant, Outaouais | Ice fishing |
| Big Bass Challenge — stop 2 | May 9 | Lachine Marina | Bass |
| Super Walleye Challenge | May 23 | Sorel Islands | Walleye |
| Fishing Festival | June 5-7 | Across Quebec | Provincial (free) |
| Big Bass Challenge — Lavaltrie | June 20 | Lavaltrie | Bass |
| Lac Pemichangan tournament | June 20 | Lac Pemichangan, Outaouais | Walleye / pike |
| Lac Témiscouata Provincial Tournament | June 20-21 | Lac Témiscouata | Walleye |
| FédéCP Provincial Fishing Games | June 26-28 | Estrie | Provincial (multi-species) |
| Écotone Tournament | July 19 | Ville-Marie, Témiscamingue | Bass ($40,000+ in prizes) |
| Big Bass Challenge — Lac Saint-Louis | July 25 | Lac Saint-Louis | Bass |
| Big Bass Challenge — L'Amical | August 1 | L'Amical | Bass |
| Big Bass Challenge — Lac Saint-François | September 19 | Lac Saint-François / Cornwall | Bass |
| Big Bass Challenge — final | October 10 | Cornwall | Bass |
| Challenge Carpe Québec | Summer 2026 | Lanaudière | Carp |
Key takeaway — Dates and locations can change from year to year. Always confirm on the organizer's site or our all events page before travelling.
Fishing events by type
Every discipline has its flagship dates. Here's how the season breaks down by target species.
Walleye
Walleye is still the king of Quebec tournaments. The Super Walleye Challenge (May 23, Sorel Islands) opens on the river, followed by the Lac Témiscouata Provincial Tournament (June 20-21) and the Lac Pemichangan tournament in Outaouais. These often reward the total weight of a limit of walleye, so locating schools fast is key.
Bass
Smallmouth bass and largemouth bass rule the summer. The Big Bass Challenge circuit runs seven stops from January to October, from Lachine Marina to Cornwall, while the Écotone Tournament in Ville-Marie (July 19) offers over $40,000 in prizes — one of the most generous bass events in the province.
Pike
Northern pike features in several multi-species tournaments, notably at Lac Pemichangan and during the FédéCP Provincial Fishing Games, where several species are scored in separate categories.
Carp
Carp fishing is growing fast. The Challenge Carpe Québec in Lanaudière brings together long-session anglers (often 24 to 48 hours) competing for the largest specimen released.
Ice fishing
Winter doesn't stop the competition. The Lac Cayamant ice tournament (February 28) gathers ice-fishing fans in Outaouais, with shacks, sonar and tip-ups. It's also a great family entry point into the discipline.
Kayak
Kayak fishing is increasingly run in a measure-and-release ("catch, photo, release") tournament format. Watch our all events page: new kayak stops are added each season.
How to take part and register
Most tournaments require advance registration, directly on the organizer's site or on-site the morning of the event when spots remain. Here's the usual process:
- Pick your event from the calendar above and check the target species.
- Register via the organizer's site or our all events page, which links to the official forms.
- Get a valid fishing license — mandatory for all tournaments (except the Fishing Festival, when residents fish for free).
- Read the rules: eligible species, minimum sizes, weigh-in times and permitted zone.
- Scout the best spots ahead of time with the spots map.
The Fishing Festival (June 5-7) is the ideal exception for beginners: no license needed for residents, loaner gear and on-site guides in many regions.
Prizes, purses and standings
Scoring formats vary by event, but a few rules come up everywhere:
- Biggest fish: the single heaviest catch (often bass or walleye) takes the main purse. It's the signature format of the Big Bass Challenge.
- Longest fish: increasingly common in release formats, where you measure instead of weigh.
- Total limit weight: a walleye classic, adding up the day's five best catches.
- Cash purses and door prizes: the Écotone Tournament tops $40,000 in prizes, while club events offer gear, gift cards and trophies.
Many events add youth and family categories, plus a draw among all participants — so you don't have to be a pro to walk away with a prize.
Prep your tournament season
A good tournament is won beforehand: scout your waters on the spots map, review species sheets like walleye or bass, and make sure you have your fishing license. To catch every 2026 date and the new stops announced during the year, check our all events page regularly.
