🌈 Trout regulation 2026

Trout quota in Quebec — by species & zone

— 2026-2027 cycle — major touladi change across 21 zones

Quebec hosts four sport-fishing trout species: lake trout (touladi), brook trout (omble de fontaine), rainbow trout (mostly stocked), and brown trout (introduced). The 2026 General Order brings the biggest tightening on lake trout: limit cut to 1/day across zones 1-20 and 26 (was 2-3 depending on zone). Brook trout limits vary widely per zone, especially in northern parks and reserves.

Lake trout (touladi)

  • ⚡1/day across zones 1-20, 26 (NEW 2026 — was 2-3)
  • 📏Minimum 55 cm in zones 16-17 (exception: Lake Lymburner 45 cm)
  • 📅3rd Saturday of May to mid-September generally; zone 23 south: winter ice closed on Category III territory

Brook trout (omble de fontaine)

Varies widely by zone:

  • •Ristigouche (zone 1): 1 total (NEW 2026 — catch and release applicable)
  • •Zones 1-2 parks/reserves (Gaspésie, Matane, Port-Daniel, Chic-Chocs): 7 charrs total, max 2 Arctic char
  • •Zone 13 west (specific lakes): 3 total
  • •Zone 21 (Saguenay): 3 total
  • •Zone 26 (Lake Fontaine): 5 total, max 2 Arctic char
  • •Zones 28-29: 15 total, max 2 Arctic char
  • •Rivers zones 27-28: 3 total under 30 cm
📏 Some northern rivers (zones 27-28): brook trout must be UNDER 30 cm

📅 Late April (south) to early June (north). Verify per zone.

Rainbow trout

Stocked-water-specific quotas (usually 5/day in pay-per-day ponds and zec reserves)

📅 Spring opening; many waters fish-out style with daily limit

Mostly found in stocked private/zec waters. Wild populations rare (Outaouais, Eastern Townships).

Brown trout

Treated under general trout limits in most zones

Stocked in select rivers (Diable, Matawin, Yamaska). Catch-and-release advised on wild populations.

Arctic char (omble chevalier)

Counted within the brook trout daily limit but with sub-limit (typically max 2 out of total). See zone-specific rules.

2026 changes

  • →Lake trout: daily limit reduced to 1 across zones 1-20 and 26 (was 2-3)
  • →Lake trout: minimum 55 cm in zones 16-17 (Lake Lymburner 45 cm exception)
  • →Zone 23 south: winter ice fishing for lake trout closed on Category III territory
  • →Brook trout Ristigouche (zone 1): 1 total + mandatory catch-and-release in Patapédia, Ristigouche sectors
  • →Brook trout zone 21 (Saguenay): 3 total
  • →Charrs in select northern rivers must be under 30 cm

Best baits & techniques

  • •Lake trout: deep-water vertical jigging with hair jig, finesse jig, or dead smelt (winter ice fishing prime)
  • •Brook trout: small spinner (Mepps #1-2), worm under bobber, dry fly in summer
  • •Rainbow trout: PowerBait, trout dough, in-line spinner — opportunistic feeder
  • •Brown trout: streamer flies, large nymphs, jerkbait — wary, low-light periods best

Use the MFFP regpec tool for the exact rule on your water body.

See also

→ Lake trout (touladi) — fact-sheet→ Brook trout — fact-sheet→ Walleye quota→ Pike quota→ Full regulation→ Ice fishing

Trout regulations vary widely between rivers, lakes, and parks. Always verify the exact rule on YOUR water body via the MFFP regpec tool.