Quebec's Main Rules for Sport Fishing

[T-Bone]

As clear as mud...

Hope all the outfitters have those measuring stick stickers inside the boat with the legal sizes clearly marked.

[fishtildark]

Just wondering if a weight limit instead of length limit would solve some of these issues. for example, instead of six fish, you can take home 6 lbs.?? If a person chooses one large fish would that really do more damage to the reproduction in the long run than 6 one pounders? Sam

[WillageD]

Just wondering if a weight limit instead of length limit would solve some of these issues. for example, instead of six fish, you can take home 6 lbs.?? If a person chooses one large fish would that really do more damage to the reproduction in the long run than 6 one pounders? Sam

I think the issue with that may be the accuracy of ones scale, most peoples scales are inaccurate, where as length is pretty cut and dry. And as far as weight vs length- I think length would protect more fish as you could potentially go out, catch 10 fish and not be able to keep any with a slot limit, but with a weight limit, every fish would be keepable until you hit that 6lbs threshold.

[adempsey]

I think length is a better indicator of the age of the fish and the associated fertility.     So, it's likely a better way to manage the resource.

[OttawaPhil]

Is there an english document somewhere telling how we must filet the fish?  I usually just filet them normally, with no fins or skin left. That's not ok here I guess, so I want to make sure I do it right and follow the rules. We will not be taking any home, just back to our campsite, but I don't want to filet them in camp in case the bears smell it, so we might pass an MNR boat on way back to camp.

Thanks for your great website, and great info.

Regards,

Phil

[OttawaPhil]

For walleye I found this:
t is mandatory to fillet the fish with the skin fully attached to identify the species and determine the length at locations where it is necessary to do so. The fish must have the following length:
In the case of yellow walleye in respect of which the length range fished is set at 38 cm or more and less than 53 cm, the two fillets must measure 28 cm or more and less than 40 cm, measured from the tip of the tail fin to the interior attachment point of the pectoral fin. The fillets must be connected by the tail and the pectoral fins and the skin must adhere to the fillet.

But for TROUT it says this:
Whole¹ only . It must be possible to count and identify the fish (a piece of skin must adhere to the filet).

So what is the answer? How can the offical document here http://www.mffp.gouv.qc.ca/english/publications/online/wildlife/fishing-regulations/fishing-periods.asp
say both "Whole¹ only " and "It must be possible to count and identify the fish (a piece of skin must adhere to the filet)" in the same box? Which is it? Whole only or filet with a piece of skin?

Thanks for your help!

[JigginFool]

So...let's say I go fishing Saturday evening and catch 6 legal walleye we want for dinner Sunday afternoon.  When I get back in Saturday evening must I clean them the new way leaving the skin on and then just before we cook them take the skin off? 

[RHYBAK]

Very good point
I was thinking the exact same thing

I guess the resort host will have to answer that one.

[limacharley]

yes you do.
If they can inspect your freezer like TBone has stated, you can bet they would expect to find the skin on, individually wrapped in order to count them and filleted the new way.
It's always been the case especially if you're cottage/house is on the water.
I doubt the MNR would be visiting you in your downtown Toronto condo unless they have reasonable doubt.

[Mr3seasonscamp]

Cleaning the new way is ONLY dor transportation thats it if you are not shure uou are going to eat them better do it the new way Reggie

[kipawa4]

  Like T-Bone said we have had them check (two different years) the fish in the cabin in the fridge. Once we were out fishing and was checked in boat and they went straight to the cabin from us to check the fridge. Our wives were at the cabin. Apparently we must have looked like some one at the Post Office LOL! They better have the skins and fins and be filleted the new way to be legal.  I had been told years ago by Carl Mongrain (Alwaki Lodge previous owner) that until you are ready to cook them they better have skin on them. In 33 years they have checked fish in the cabin twice. They were pretty nice guys also. No troubles what so ever. So my guess is to be safe. You might want to have the oil bubbling if they don't have skins and fins!  Sorry I got kind of repetitive. But would hate to see some one not be able to come back to beautiful Kipawa. I know I wouldn't be able to take it.

[Canuckbass]

They have stopped and checked our property as well.
Glad I wasn't there but I can tell ya, follow the rules and keep skin on.

[limacharley]

I've never seen them on Hunter but my neighbor has been checked and they are concerned with 3 things:

1-you have your license
2-the fish you have are the appropriate length
and
3-you better have kept your empties in the boat and not thrown in the lake.

Remember......always be cordial and good things happen. They are just doing their job.

[OttawaPhil]

You are allowed to drink in your boat in Quebec if you dispose of empties properly? I thought drinking and boating is illegal?

[limacharley]

it is illegal but they are cool about it if you're not blasted. i wouldn't advertise it though.