Zone 1 in Quebec (Zone 1) is governed by the MFFP 2026 General Fishing Order. The zone has 76 water-body specific regulations, including 3 new for 2026 and 13 winter-fishing rules.
Zone 1
New rules have been in effect in this zone since April 1, 2026. See the latest changes the latest changes.
Interactive map of fishing zones
The opening and closing dates and catch limits may vary from one body of water to another in the same area. You should always check to see if your body of water is a regulatory exception.
**Zone's fishing periods, limits and exceptions (PDF)
Printable version.
It is prohibited to catch and keep or have in your possession a fish from the waters specified that does not comply with the length limits indicated for your zone. If a fish species or a zone is not mentioned in the table, no length limit applies to the species in this zone.
The fish must be kept in a state allowing its identification.
May keep Striped bass measuring between 50 cm and 65 cm inclusively where fishing for this species is permitted.
State of fish Whole or gutted
May keepChar of any length, where char fishing is permitted, except in certain rivers where the length limit for char is less than 30 cm.
State of fishWhole or gutted, only where a length limit applies. Elsewhere, char may be whole or filleted. It must be possible to count and identify the fish (a piece of skin must adhere to the filet).
May keep Lake trout 60 cm or more
State of fish Whole or gutted, only where a length limit applies. Elsewhere, lake trout may be whole or filleted. It must be possible to count and identify the fish (a piece of skin must adhere to the filet).
Note These measurements do not apply in national parks, wildlife reserves and controlled harvesting zones (ZECs).
Dead shrimp is the only bait fish allowed:
From December 20 to March 31 for rainbow smelt fishing only. Only in rivières Bonaventure and York.
Between December 1 and April 15, you may be in possession of dead bait fish between the sections of autoroutes 20 and 40 and routes 132 and 138 located in zones 1, 2, 3, 18, 19 and 27 for use in zones 7 and 21.
Use the map of fishing zones to display this information by viewing the “Bait Fish” layer.
5 lines on a body of water covered with ice or not, from December 20 to March 31
Printable version of zone 1 (PDF)
Length limits, bait fish allowed and number of lines authorized in winter.
Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday: from 8:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. and from 1 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Wednesday: from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. and from 1 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Regulatory information:
renseignements.faune@environnement.gouv.qc.ca
How to measure and fillet fish
Possession and identification of fish
Imported from quebec.ca · 5/1/2026
Modification of the fishing season for all species except Atlantic salmon: fixed opening on May 15 and fixed closing on September 10. Modification of daily catch limit for char: 10 in total, with a maximum of 2 Arctic char. Harmonization of the fishing season in sectors of rivière Matane open to fishing: season opens June 1. Modification of the boundaries of the fishing prohibited sector of rivière Matane near fosse Cap-Seize starting August 1. Complete closure of fishing for all species in rivière Causapscal between Lac du Nord and the downstream side of the bridge at Félix. Modification of daily catch limit for Atlantic salmon in a sector of rivière Restigouche: 0 retained and 3 at most caught and released, May 15 to 31. Modification of the fishing season for all species in ZEC des Anses: opening on the third Saturday in May. Modification of daily catch limit for char in ZEC Casault: 7 in all, including a maximum of 2 Arctic char.
60 shown of 76 — see the official map for the full list
See more on the interactive map · /carte
Zone 1 (Zone 1) regulations are published by Quebec's Ministry of Forests, Wildlife and Parks (MFFP) in the 2026 General Fishing Order. The zone has 76 water-body specific exceptions, 3 new for 2026. See the official tool at peche.faune.gouv.qc.ca/regpec for catch limits, opening dates, and minimum sizes per species.
Opening dates vary by species: walleye typically opens 3rd Saturday of May, bass 4th Saturday of June, brook trout late April in the south to early June in the north. Check the 2026 General Order for exact dates in Zone 1.
Standard 2026 limits: walleye 6 per day, northern pike 6 per day. Some water bodies in Zone 1 have stricter limits — 76 exceptions are listed on this page. Refer to peche.faune.gouv.qc.ca/regpec for the exact rule on your lake.
Popular spots inside or near Zone 1 include: Baie des Chaleurs, Baie-des-Chaleurs, Baie-des-Chaleurs, Baie-des-Chaleurs, Baie-des-Chaleurs. The full interactive map with 3,600+ Quebec fishing spots is available on pecheurquebec.com/carte.
A standard MFFP fishing license is required everywhere in Quebec (~$24/year for Quebec residents). For wildlife reserves and national parks within Zone 1, you also need a daily SEPAQ access reservation. Buy online at sepaq.com.
Source: MFFP — peche.faune.gouv.qc.ca. Always verify official rules before fishing.