Winter Recreational Groundfish Fishery
Saguenay Fjord, and Estuary and Gulf of St. Lawrence
Fisheries and Oceans Canada would like to inform the public that in accordance with Variation Orders 2023-003, the recreational groundfish fishery is closed until further notice, except in the waters and for the dates mentioned below:
- Saguenay Fjord: From January 21, 2023 to March 12, 2023
- Magdalen Islands: From January 14, 2023 to March 25, 2023
- Isle-aux-Coudres: From February 4, 2023 to April 16, 2023
- 2021 archive
- 2022 archive
Regulations
The recreational groundfish fishery is practiced without a licence. However, you must comply with the regulatory measures, such as:
- The fishing areas, closed times, the quantities and the species authorized to retain, as specified in the table below.
- It is the responsibility of each person to insure that all fish harvested can be retained. Every fish caught accidently and that cannot legally be retained must be released if caught, and where it is alive, in a manner that causes it the least harm.
- No person shall engage in recreational fishing for groundfish by any means other than by hand-line or by angling.
- No person shall possess fish caught by any person while fishing for recreational purposes and that has been skinned, cut, packed or otherwise dealt with in such a manner that the species and number of fish cannot be readily determined.
- No person shall buy, sell, trade, barter or offer to buy, sell, trade or barter any fish that was caught while fishing for recreational purposes.
- No person who is fishing for recreational purposes shall waste any fish that is suitable for human consumption.
| Fishing Areas | Opening of the Fishery and Restrictions |
|---|---|
| Saguenay Fjord | |
| The portion from the mouth of the Saguenay Fjord lying upstream of a line joining Pointe Noire, Baie-Sainte-Catherine, (48º07’24’’N, 69º43’00’’W) to Pointe Rouge, Tadoussac, (48º08’06’’N, 69º42’06’’W) | From January 21, 2023 to March 12, 2023 Each person engaged in recreational fishing can, in any day, catch and retain 5 groundfish of all species in the aggregate, except (0) zero forbidden species. |
| Magdalen Islands | |
| The waters around the Magdalen Islands |
From January 14, 2023 to March 25, 2023 From 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. |
| L'Isle-aux-Coudres | |
| The waters within 50 meters of the coastline around the Isle-aux-Coudrese | From February 4, 2023 to April 16, 2023 Each person engaged in recreational fishing can, in any day, catch and retain 15 groundfish of all species in the aggregate, except (0) zero cod, haddock, Pollock, white hake and forbidden species. |
The recreational fishery of the following species is forbidden at all time and in every area:
Halibut
Northern wolffish
Atlantic wolffish
Spotted wolffish
Skate
Offences and Poaching
Fisheries and Oceans Canada whose mandate is to protect and conserve marine resources, strictly enforces the Fisheries Act and is ever vigilant in its efforts to prevent poaching of marine resources.
People guilty of offences may be fined up to $100,000 under the Fisheries Act. Anglers must abide by the regulations in force.
Fisheries and Oceans Canada encourages the public to inform Fishery Officers of illegal or suspicious activities related to marine fisheries or the protection of fish habitat. You can report poaching by using the online form, which can be completed from any mobile device or computer and to which photos can be attached, or by calling 1-800-463-9057. Your call is confidential.
Contact Us
For more information, contact a Fisheries Officer at your local DFO office.
RQ0051 - Broadcast: January 20, 2023, 9:21 a.m.