Fishing is a privilege. The choices we make today determine whether future generations get to enjoy the same waters we do.
Sub Urban Anglers was built on the belief that being a good angler and being an ethical steward of the environment are the same thing, not competing values.
Montreal's waterways face real pressures: urban runoff, invasive species, habitat loss, and overfishing in certain areas. As a community of urban anglers who fish these waters year-round, we have both a front-row seat to the problem and a responsibility to be part of the solution.
These pages aren't here to lecture you. They're here to make you a more effective, more informed, and more responsible angler, because that's ultimately what makes fishing better for everyone.
Done wrong, catch and release can still kill the fish. Learn wet hands, minimal air exposure, proper hook removal, and revival techniques that actually work.
Read GuideRound goby, snakehead, Asian carp, zebra mussels, Quebec's waterways face real threats. Learn to identify, report, and avoid spreading them.
Read GuideSize limits, possession limits, closed seasons, and licence requirements in Quebec, simplified and explained for every major freshwater species near Montreal.
Read GuideMonofilament tangled in weeds kills wildlife. Hooks left on shores injure pets and children. A quick checklist for every access point you visit.
Read GuideMontreal's urban canals and rivers are cleaner than they've been in decades, but chemical runoff and microplastics remain serious concerns. What you need to know.
Read GuideQuebec fishing licence fees fund stocking programs, habitat restoration, and enforcement. Understanding the system builds support for it.
Read GuideDry hands remove the protective slime coat that prevents infection. This is the single most impactful thing you can do.
Fish can't breathe out of water. The "30-second rule", if it took longer than that, give the fish extra revival time.
Quickly and cleanly removing the hook reduces stress and injury. Crimp your barbs to make this even easier.
Hold the fish upright in the water and move it gently forward and backward. Release only when it swims away under its own power.
Have your phone ready before the fish is out of the water. A great fish photo and a healthy release are not mutually exclusive.
Now established in the St. Lawrence and Great Lakes system. If you catch one, do not release it, dispose of it away from the water.
Spread on boats and gear. Always clean, drain, and dry your kayak or boat before moving between water bodies. This is the law in Quebec.
Not yet established in Quebec but spreading up the Mississippi–Great Lakes corridor. Early detection reporting is critical. Report sightings to MFFP.
Always verify with the MFFP (Ministère des Forêts, de la Faune et des Parcs) before fishing, regulations change annually.
⚠️ This table is for reference only. Always verify current regulations at mffp.gouv.qc.ca before fishing.
