Freshwater salmon
Landlocked salmon (ouananiche) fishing
Ouananiche is landlocked Atlantic salmon: a freshwater salmon that never goes to sea. It fights harder than any trout in the region, jumps repeatedly, and typically runs 16 to 20 inches in the rivers and lakes we fish in the Laurentians and Lanaudière. A regular Quebec sport fishing licence covers it.
Why anglers travel for ouananiche
A hooked ouananiche runs, turns and jumps — often three or four times before you ever see the net. On light tackle it is the most memorable fight available within a two-hour drive of Montreal.
The window is short and flow-dependent, which is exactly why a guided day matters: the fish are where the water tells them to be, not where they were last week.
How we fish them
- Ultralight spinning with spoons and smelt-imitating lures.
- Fly gear with streamers when the fish are holding in current.
- Boat presentations over structure on the bigger lakes.
- Reading current seams, drop-offs and baitfish activity as we go.
Frequently asked questions
- Can I catch ouananiche on spinning gear?
- Yes. Spinning gear is often the easier and equally effective choice for a first landlocked salmon; fly gear is an option, never a requirement.
- Do I need a special salmon licence?
- No. A regular Quebec sport fishing licence covers landlocked salmon. Only anadromous Atlantic salmon requires a separate licence.
- Is it too difficult for a beginner?
- It is more demanding than brook trout, but very doable. We match the sector and the technique to your experience and coach you through it.