Saguenay Fjord Winter Recreational Groundfish Fishery

QUÉBEC CITY, QUÉBEC--(Marketwired - Dec. 22, 2015) - The ice fishing season on the Saguenay Fjord will begin on January 16 and end on March 6, 2016, Fisheries and Oceans Canada announced today.

Following consultations with ice fishing stakeholders, the Department has determined that the fishing season will be 45 days. However, in order to authorize fishing up until spring break without significantly increasing the fishing effort, fishing will be prohibited every Tuesday in January and February (January 19 and 26, and February 2,9,16 and 23, 2016). The recreational groundfish fishery is under federal jurisdiction; therefore, the prohibition of fishing every Tuesday in January and February does not apply to species under provincial jurisdiction such as Smelt. It is everyone's responsibility to check the applicable measures for this species.

Each person is allowed to catch a maximum of five groundfish per day of any type, except Atlantic Halibut, Atlantic Wolffish, Northern Wolffish, Spotted Wolffish, Skate and White Hake. Fishers are required to release these species.

For the safety of those participating in ice fishing, DFO emphasizes that access to fishing sites is conditional on ice thickness and in accordance with municipal regulations.

Please note that Canadian Coast Guard spring icebreaking operations on the Saguenay River will begin on or around March 7, 2016. The Coast Guard strongly recommends that all hikers, fishers and snowmobilers leave the ice during icebreaking activities, as shifting ice may create a danger for anyone in the area.

For more information on groundfish ice fishing, visit www.qc.dfo-mpo.gc.ca.

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