Zone 8
New rules have been in effect in this zone since April 1, 2026. See the latest changes the latest changes.
Maps
Interactive map of fishing zones
Fishing periods and quotas
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.
Length limits for some species
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.
Pike
*May keep***Pike from 56 cm to 70 cm inclusively
This regulation applies in the St. Lawrence River, Lac des Deux Montagnes, the Rivière des Outaouais, the Rivière des Prairies, the Rivière des Mille Îles, and the downstream portion of the Rivière aux Chiens, the Rivière aux Saumons, the Rivière Beaudette, the Rivière Châteauguay, the Rivière Delisle, the Rivière du Chêne, the Rivière du Nord, the Rivière L’Assomption, the Rivière Mascouche, the Rivière Rigaud, the Rivière Saint-Jacques, the Rivière Saint-Louis, and the Rivière à la Tortue.
State of fish****Whole or gutted where a length limit applies. Elsewhere, pike may be whole or filleted. Fish must be able to be counted and identified (a piece of skin must remain attached to the fillet).
Walleye
May keep**** Walleye between 37 cm and 53 cm inclusively
No length limit for sauger.
State of fish**** Whole, gutted or wallet filleted
Learn how to distinguish walleye from sauger.
Lake sturgeon
May keep**** Lake sturgeon between 80 cm and 130 cm inclusively
State of fish**** Whole or gutted
Muskellunge
May keep****Muskellunge of 137 cm or more
This regulation applies to all bodies of water in zones 7 and 8, except Lac à la Tortue (zone 7).
State of fish****Whole or gutted
Lake trout (including splake trout)
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).
Use of dead bait fish
Possession and use of all dead bait fish species, EXCEPT prohibited species, whether whole or cut up, are allowed:
From December** 20 to March 31
Use themap of fishing zones to display this information by viewing the “Bait Fish” layer.
Number of lines authorized in winter
10 lines on a body of water covered with ice or not, from December 20 to March 31
Only 5 lines are authorized in the portion of lac Saint‑François (zone 8) located west of a line drawn from pointe Beaudette on the north shore to pointe Saint‑Louis on the south shore.
Moratorium on recreational and commercial yellow perch fishing
The moratorium on recreational and commercial yellow perch fishing in lac Saint‑Pierre and the St. Lawrence River area between pont Laviolette and Saint‑Pierre‑les‑Becquets, has been extended effective May 4, 2022, for a period of five years.
Limits of the moratorium on yellow perch fishing
Printable version of zone 8 (PDF)
Length limits, bait fish allowed and number of lines authorized in winter.
Biodiversity, Wildlife and Parks – Client Services
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
See also
How to measure and fillet fish
Possession and identification of fish
Imported from quebec.ca · 5/1/2026
Modification of the length limit for muskellunge in all bodies of water in zones 7 and 8, including the St. Lawrence River: 137 cm and more. Modification of the muskellunge fishing season in bodies of water in zones 7 and 8: winter fishing is now prohibited. Extension of the moratorium on sport and commercial yellow perch fishing in lac Saint-Pierre and the St. Lawrence River between pont Laviolette and Saint-Pierre-les-Becquets, until 2027.
Source: MFFP — peche.faune.gouv.qc.ca. Always verify official rules before fishing.