Ice Fishing in Quebec: Cabin Villages, Saguenay Fjord, and Safety Tips

When the lakes freeze over and the -20s set in, another season begins in Quebec: the one where we break through the ice, we set up a colourful hut… and we turn winter into a playground.

Ice fishing in Quebec – or ice fishing – is both an ancient heritage, linked to winter survival, and a modern, comfortable and supervised activity. Between the ice fishing villages of Saguenay–Lac-Saint-Jean, ice fishing in Sainte-Anne-de-la-Pérade in the Mauricie region and the small outfitters in the region, it has become one of the most emblematic winter family activities.

From survival to family activity

The earliest forms of ice fishing in North America are associated with Indigenous peoples, who exploited winter fish for food. This practice was later adopted and adapted by settlers, before becoming a winter activity in its own right. Today, ice fishing is as much a part of Quebec's cultural landscape as skiing or snowshoeing.

Among the top ice fishing destinations in Quebec, two places stand out.

Sainte-Anne-de-la-Pérade (Mauricie)

Sainte-Anne-de-la-Pérade, in the Mauricie region, has become a true capital of ice fishing with the family. Every winter, hundreds of cabins are set up on the Sainte-Anne River for fishing for small channel fish (tomcod).

Some resources for planning an ice fishing trip in Sainte-Anne-de-la-Pérade:

• The small fish of the channels – Sainte-Anne-de-la-Pérade: https://lespetitspoissons.ca/

For a winter activity near Trois-Rivières or Quebec City, this village of cabins is a very accessible option.

The ice fishing villages of the Saguenay Fjord

On the Saguenay Fjord, particularly in the borough of La Baie (city of Saguenay), hundreds of colourful cabins are spread out every winter on the Baie des Ha! Ha!. It is home to some of the largest ice fishing villages in the world, with a unique atmosphere: mountains, fjords, cabins and winter lights.

To discover ice fishing in Saguenay–Lac-Saint-Jean:

• Ice fishing in Saguenay–Lac-Saint-Jean: https://saguenaylacsaintjean.ca/decouvrir-le-saglac/experiences-distinctives/plaisirsdhiver/la-peche-blanche-en-region

If you want to explore ice fishing in the Saguenay, the Auberge du Cap au Leste is an excellent base camp: perched above the fjord with a panoramic view, it allows you to enjoy the calm of the forest while staying close to the fishing sites. The cabins of Sainte-Rose-du-Nord, on the shores of the fjord, are only a few kilometres from the Inn, which makes it very easy to alternate between days of ice fishing and comfortable evenings in the warmth.

These villages and sites generate significant spin-offs for the regions (accommodation, catering, cabin rentals, winter activities), while maintaining a very friendly and family character.

Ice Fishing in Quebec: A Typical Day

In 2025, a day of ice fishing in Quebec often looks like an assumed mix of tradition and modern comfort.

Choosing your ice fishing destination

The options range from outfitters and wildlife reserves to fishing villages on the major rivers and on the fjord. You can search for:

• ice fishing in the Mauricie region in Sainte-Anne-de-la-Pérade;
• ice fishing in Saguenay, in the heart of the fjord;
• a more intimate outing to an outfitter or on a regional lake.

To get inspired and see an overview of ice fishing in Quebec:

• Ice Fishing – Bonjour Québec: https://www.bonjourquebec.com/fr-ca/quoi-faire/activites-hivernales/peche-sur-la-glace

Be in good standing: licences and ice fishing areas

Ice fishing is governed by the same regulations as summer sport fishing: permits, quotas, species, periods, zones.

Consult before leaving:

• Central page – Sport fishing in Quebec: https://www.quebec.ca/tourisme-et-loisirs/activites-sportives-et-de-plein-air/peche-sportive
• Interactive map of periods, limits and exceptions: https://peche.faune.gouv.qc.ca/
• Official fishing areas: https://www.quebec.ca/tourisme-et-loisirs/activites-sportives-et-de-plein-air/peche-sportive/zones-periodes/zones-de-peche

Before each ice fishing trip, the winning reflex: check the fishing area, the body of water, the species authorized in winter and the catch limits.

Settle in the fishing hut

Depending on the destination, the ice fishing hut is:

• rented through an outfitter or a local organization;
• heated (propane or wood);
• equipped with benches, table, sometimes stove and holes already drilled.

Examples of providers in Saguenay–Lac-Saint-Jean:

• The Fjord Ice Cream: https://glacesdufjord.com/les-pourvoyeurs/
• Fishing Aventures Saguenay: https://www.pecheaventuressaguenay.com/

For a beginner, this is often the best way to have a first ice fishing experience in Saguenay or elsewhere: the ice is supervised, the accesses are marked, and you are accompanied in good practices.

Drill the holes and adapt to the species

In winter, several species remain active:

• Yellow perch, walleye or sauger, northern pike, in many lakes;
• Trout (speckled or farmed, depending on the water body);
• Groundfish and smelt on the Saguenay Fjord.

In general, the fish stay deeper than in summer. We fish vertically, on brimbale or with a small short rod, adjusting the depth according to the indications of the bottom, guides… or sonar (more on this below).

Enjoying the moment on the ice

Beyond the catch, a day of ice fishing with the family often looks like this:

• lines are monitored;
• people chat around the stove;
• prepare a simple meal (sausages, soup, trout or walleye if conditions and regulations allow);
• we observe the light changing on the fjord or on the river.

Ice fishing is as much a social experience as it is a quest for fish.

Ice fishing villages in Saguenay–Lac-Saint-Jean and Mauricie

The cabin villages have become true visual signatures of the Quebec winter.

• On the Baie des Ha! Ha! (Saguenay), up to 1,000–1,500 cabins can be installed depending on the year, creating a multicoloured panorama of the frozen fjord.
• In Sainte-Anne-de-la-Pérade, the concentration of tomcod cabins transforms the river into a festive avenue of wood and stove smoke.

These sites share:

• a strong historical anchorage;
• an intense social life (families, groups of friends, regulars);
• a structured organization (municipal by-laws, land management, security procedures).

For an ice fishing trip in Mauricie or a winter activity in Saguenay, these villages are very accessible entry points, especially if you don't have your own equipment.

Tradition meets technology

Sonars and flashers for ice fishing

Portable sonar dedicated to ice fishing gives:

• depth;
• the relief of the background;
• real-time fish echoes.

Several manufacturers offer phone-compatible models (Wi-Fi/Bluetooth), with data logging and bathymetric maps. Specialty retailers such as SAIL and other outdoor banners list complete lines of ice fishing sonars and flashers.

Benefits for the angler:

• fewer holes "in the void";
• better understanding of fish behaviour;
• immediate depth and animation adjustment.

Shelter, clothing and winter logistics

Innovations don't stop with sonar:

• Foldable ice fishing tents, set up in minutes;
• Cabins mounted on skates, pulled by snowmobile or ATV;
• Float suits, cold boots, crampons;
• online reservations and payment with outfitters.

Whether you're ice fishing in Saguenay–Lac-Saint-Jean, Mauricie or in a more isolated outfitter, this new equipment makes the activity more comfortable and safer.

Ice fishing regulations in Quebec: the essentials

Even on the ice, the rules of sport fishing in Quebec remain the reference.

To remember:

• Fishing license required (except for exceptions well defined by law);
• Catch and possession limits by species and area;
• Winter fishing periods vary according to the area;
• Exceptions by body of water, sometimes very specific.

To avoid unpleasant surprises:

• Sport fishing in Quebec – official website: https://www.quebec.ca/tourisme-et-loisirs/activites-sportives-et-de-plein-air/peche-sportive
• Interactive map of periods, limits and exceptions: https://peche.faune.gouv.qc.ca/
• Fishing areas – details by region: https://www.quebec.ca/tourisme-et-loisirs/activites-sportives-et-de-plein-air/peche-sportive/zones-periodes/zones-de-peche

Before an ice fishing trip in Sainte-Anne-de-la-Pérade, Saguenay or elsewhere, always take a few minutes to check the fishing area and the rules specific to the chosen body of water.

Ice Safety: Benchmarks and Best Practices

Security organizations are unanimous: Ice is never 100% safe, even if you measure its thickness.

Good practices are recalled by:

• Lifesaving Society – 10 safety tips before venturing onto the ice: https://societedesauvetage.org/nos-conseils/10-conseils-de-securite-avant-de-saventurer-sur-la-glace/
• On-Ice Safety – Canadian Coast Guard: https://www.ccg-gcc.gc.ca/icebreaking-deglacage/ice-safety-securite-glace-fra.html

Some oft-cited benchmarks (clear, homogeneous ice, good conditions):

• ~10 cm for a single person on foot;
• ~15 cm for a small group;
• 20 cm and more for heavier loads (snowmobile, cabin, etc.).

These are indicative minimums: in the field, guides, outfitters and municipalities often remain more conservative and regularly monitor the condition of the ice. This is one of the reasons why choosing an ice fishing village in Saguenay–Lac-Saint-Jean or a supervised outfitter remains a prudent choice, especially for a first experience.

An experience to be lived… and to protect

Ice fishing in Quebec today is at the crossroads of:

• a living heritage (cabin villages, small fish in the channels, Saguenay Fjord);
• innovations that facilitate practice (sonars, equipment, online reservations);
• Detailed regulations and constantly evolving safety standards.

For a reader to get the most out of it, the winning trio looks like this:

1. Be informed
   Check the official regulations for the chosen area, consult the pages of the villages or outfitters, look at the ice conditions.
2. Supervise yourself
   For the first time, give preference to outfitters, ZEC or structured villages (ice fishing in Saguenay, Sainte-Anne-de-la-Pérade, etc.) that monitor the ice and supervise the practice.
3. Respect the resource
   Respect the quotas, put the unguarded fish back with care, leave the place cleaner than when it arrived.

It is this mix of pleasure, caution and respect for the northern territory that makes Quebec ice fishing a strong experience… and sustainable.