La Mauricie National Park of Canada

La Mauricie National Park and recreational fishing

Beneath the mirrored surface of a lake hides a world unknown to most of us. Parks Canada considers angling, although a harvesting activity, an acceptable way to access this invisible universe, inhabited for the most part by fish. The question still arises whether these organisms merit the same protection as others in our national parks.

Fishing activities in the park are managed so as to protect the very nature of the resources. In practice, this means maintaining the characteristics of the populations and the evolutionary potential of the indigenous species that are the result of 10,000 years of evolution. The primary objective of the management program is to allow fish populations to develop naturally in today's changing environmental conditions. To this end, no stocking or other form of wildlife management aimed at improving fishing is permitted in national parks.

The rules governing fishing in the park are defined by the number of people fishing in one place and at a given time, among other things. A quota of fishers per lake is set daily. Managing numbers in this way keeps fishing open to visitors for the whole season. Regulations are restrictive, which means that some lakes are not open for fishing, some lakes have lower catch and possession limits than others and, on certain lakes, catch and release of trout (brook and lake) is not permitted. The park's focus is to promote quality outdoor experiences for the largest number of visitors possible rather than ensure a large catch for each angler.

Fish stocks are managed through a quota system as well: for each lake a maximum harvest by weight is set per species. The total harvest is monitored weekly, based on information obtained through the daily registration of anglers and their obligation to surrender their permits after their activity and have their catch recorded (including fish eaten or released). This system has provided good fishing for over 30 years. Your cooperation is vital!

Brook (speckled) trout is the main indigenous species in the park. It accounts for more than 80% of catches. Many other species can be caught in the 30 lakes where fishing is permitted, including lake trout, large-mouth bass and pike.