Fishing between Matagami and Nemaska? Complete legal framework: MFFP zones 17 and 22 North, James Bay and Northern Quebec Agreement (JBNQA), land categories I/II/III, permits and official sources to verify before every trip.
⚠️ Important notice: Quebec fishing regulations are updated yearly by the Ministry of Environment, Climate Change, Wildlife and Parks (MELCCFP) through the General Fishing Order. Before every trip, consult the official 2026 version at peche.faune.gouv.qc.ca/regpec and the 2026 General Order. This article summarises publicly available rules as of June 2026 but does not replace the official source. Compliance is your responsibility.
The territory between Matagami and Nemaska
The Matagami → Nemaska corridor crosses the Eeyou Istchee Baie-James territory in Northern Quebec — a vast region of boreal forest, thousands of lakes, and a legal framework unique in Canada. Main access is the Billy-Diamond Highway (formerly James Bay Road) or the Route du Nord from Chibougamau.
Two key facts make this region different from the rest of Quebec for sport anglers:
- Dual legal framework: the James Bay and Northern Quebec Agreement (JBNQA, 1975) coexists with the Quebec Fishing Regulation.
- Two MFFP zones: the south of the corridor (Matagami) is in Zone 17, the north (toward Nemaska) is in Zone 22 North. Seasons and limits differ.
Dual legal framework: JBNQA + Quebec Fishing Regulation
The James Bay and Northern Quebec Agreement (1975)
Signed November 11, 1975 between Quebec, Canada, Hydro-Québec, the Grand Council of the Crees and the Northern Quebec Inuit Association, the JBNQA was Canada's first major modern land claims agreement. Section 24 specifically governs hunting, fishing and trapping.
Under the JBNQA, the territory is divided into three land categories:
| Category | Approx. area (Cree) | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Category I lands | ~14,000 km² | Around Cree communities, administered by them. Access controlled by Cree. |
| Category II lands | ~70,000 km² | Exclusive Cree hunting, fishing and trapping rights. Non-Cree may fish under certain conditions. |
| Category III lands | Rest of territory | Subject to general Quebec law + Cree priority for wildlife resources. |
Official sources: JBNQA Section 24 (Grand Council of the Crees); Hunting and Fishing Rights Act in James Bay and Northern Quebec (D-13.1).
The 9 Cree communities of Eeyou Istchee
The territory hosts nine Cree communities whose autonomy was confirmed by the JBNQA:
On James Bay and Hudson Bay: Waskaganish, Eastmain, Wemindji, Chisasibi, Whapmagoostui. Inland: Nemaska, Waswanipi, Mistissini, Ouje-Bougoumou.
Mistissini is the largest Cree community by area (Lac Mistassini, Quebec's largest natural lake). Nemaska, on Lake Champion, is the seat of the Cree Nation Government.
Practical implications for non-Cree sport anglers
- On Category III lands (where most accessible roads run): the Quebec Fishing Regulation applies. You need a valid Quebec fishing license and must follow the corresponding MFFP zone rules.
- On Category II lands: fishing for non-Cree permitted in some cases, typically via outfitters or with local authorisation. Verify with the community.
- On Category I lands: access restricted, request permission from the relevant community.
MFFP Zone 17 — Matagami area
Zone 17 covers the south of the corridor (Matagami, Chibougamau and surroundings). Key rules per the 2026 MELCCFP Order:
Periods and limits — Zone 17 (2026 excerpt, MFFP source)
April 1–23, 2026:
- Pike: 8 total
- Yellow and black walleye: 8 total (yellow walleye has size restrictions)
- Yellow perch: 50
April 24 – September 7, 2026:
- Char (brook trout, etc.): 15 total or 4 kg + 1 char, first limit reached
- Lake trout / splake / lacmou: 1 total, minimum 55 cm — 2 total in some specific territories
May 22 – September 7, 2026:
- Whitefish: no limit
June 15 – October 31, 2026:
- Sturgeon: 1 total
April 1, 2026 – March 31, 2027:
- Striped bass and copper redhorse: fishing prohibited
Method: line fishing only.
Full zone 17 exceptions: Zone 17 — peche.faune.gouv.qc.ca.
MFFP Zone 22 North — toward Nemaska
Further north, the corridor enters Zone 22 North. This zone covers much of Eeyou Istchee Baie-James, including the territories around Nemaska and Mistissini.
Periods and limits — Zone 22 North (2026 excerpt, MFFP source)
June 1 – September 7, 2026 (main season):
- Pike: 10 total, line fishing only
- Yellow and black walleye: 8 total; yellow walleye between 37 and 53 cm, maximum 1 specimen ≥ 53 cm; black walleye no size restriction
- Brook trout: 15 total or 5 kg + 1 char, first limit reached
- Ouananiche: 2 total, line fishing only
- Yellow perch: 50, line fishing only
- Lake trout / splake / lacmou: 3 total, under 60 cm, maximum 1 specimen ≥ 60 cm
Zone 22 North also has specific rules for Chisasibi Category II Lands and winter fishing exceptions on certain lakes.
Full list: Zone 22 North — peche.faune.gouv.qc.ca.
Permits
Every non-Cree sport angler needs:
- Quebec sport fishing license (SEPAQ/MFFP official permit):
- Resident annual: ~40 CAD
- Non-resident annual: ~100 CAD
- 1-day, 3-day and 7-day permits also available
- Photo ID (health insurance card accepted for residents)
- Outfitter or ZEC access fee where applicable
The general license does not automatically cover private Category I/II Cree lands — request appropriate authorisation.
Note: Atlantic salmon
Atlantic salmon is not present in the James Bay watershed (the anadromous run does not reach this drainage). Ouananiche (landlocked Atlantic salmon, Salmo salar) is the local equivalent and is fished under the general license. See our Atlantic salmon guide.
Practical tips
Roads and access
- Billy-Diamond Highway (formerly James Bay Road): 620 km of gravel to Radisson. Refuel at Km 381 truck stop. No cellular coverage on most of the route.
- Route du Nord: from Chibougamau to Billy-Diamond, crosses Zone 22 North.
- Matagami → Nemaska distance: approx. 300 km (Billy-Diamond + Route du Nord), 4–5 hours in dry conditions.
- Fuel sparingly available: fill up whenever you can.
Communication and safety
- No cell signal on most of the territory. Consider a satellite phone or InReach device.
- Extreme weather: down to –40 °C in winter; dense mosquitoes late May to late July.
- Wildlife: black bears and moose common.
- Plan: leave detailed itinerary with someone trusted.
Official sources
- 🔗 peche.faune.gouv.qc.ca/regpec — official MELCCFP interactive tool
- 🔗 2026 General Order — full legal text
- 🔗 Hunting and Fishing Rights Act D-13.1
- 🔗 Grand Council of the Crees (Eeyou Istchee)
- 🔗 SEPAQ — fishing permits
- 🔗 Cree Outfitting and Tourism Association
Bottom line
Fishing between Matagami and Nemaska means exploring one of Quebec's last great boreal forests, on a territory combining Indigenous rights unique in Canada with a structured provincial framework. Rules change yearly by order — the only truly reliable source is the official MFFP tool.
Respect the JBNQA, the Cree communities, the Zone 17 or 22 North limits, and come back with your catch and legal peace of mind.
⚠️ Reminder: This article was written in June 2026 from public official sources. Regulations update yearly in spring. Before your trip, consult the current version at peche.faune.gouv.qc.ca/regpec. Compliance is your responsibility.
