The endless season
Ice fishing is a Quebec tradition. From late December to late March, thousands of anglers set up on frozen lakes. Most-fished species: perch, walleye, lake trout, pike, char, burbot.
Safety first — check the ice
Minimum thickness (clear, fresh ice):
- 4 in (10 cm): solo walking
- 6 in (15 cm): group of 2–3, light snowmobile
- 8–12 in (20–30 cm): ATV or compact car
- 15+ in (38+ cm): light truck
⚠️ White/snowy ice counts for half a clear ice's strength. Check multiple spots — thickness varies with currents, river mouths, springs.
Minimum gear
- Auger: hand (low-traffic lake) or motorized (StrikeMaster, Ion). 6–8 inch holes.
- Short ice rod (24–32 in) with inline or compact spinning reel
- Line: braid 8 lb + fluoro leader 6–8 lb (freeze-resistant)
- Flasher / ice sonar (Vexilar, Marcum, Garmin Striker): essential
- Shelter (tent, heater): comfort on cold days
- Layered clothing: breathable + insulating + windproof
Main techniques
Active jigging
With Jigging Rap, ice spoon, or tube jig. Sharp snaps + long pauses. 90 % of bites happen on the pause.
Dead stick
A rod on a holder, line at fixed depth with live minnow. No animation. Very effective on walleye and pike in combo with active jigging.
Tip-up
Flag triggers on the strike. Lets you fish multiple holes with passive line.
Quebec winter regulations
- Number of lines: generally 5 per angler (per zone)
- General license covers most waters
- Species-specific quotas by zone — check MFFP exceptions
- Season varies by species and lake. Always check open dates.
Pro tips
- Fish early: 6–10 a.m. and 4–6 p.m. are the prime windows
- Find bottom: drop until you touch, lift 30 cm. Walleye hunt near bottom.
- Sonar = swiss knife: shows fish, their reaction, exact depth
- Move every 30 min if nothing — fish move, you do too
- Keep hands warm: thin gloves + hand warmer in pocket