The drop in the daily bag limit in zone 27 for speckled trout makes many fishermen feel wronged, especially those who frequent the Laurentides wildlife reserve.
For several years, the daily bag and possession limit has been 15 trout in zone 27, where there are many fishing territories, including the Laurentides wildlife reserve. Under a regulatory change, anglers will only be allowed 10 brook trout in the future.
A couple of fishermen gave us the following testimony.
“I made three reservations in April 2023, for the 2024 fishing season. At that time, the quota was 15 trout per license, and until the end of March, that was still the case,” explains Danny Jones. Following the new regulations, I wanted to have my installment payments reimbursed, but Sépaq refused, claiming not to be responsible for this decision. My initial agreement with Sépaq was for 15 shots. The contract I had with them no longer holds and I requested a refund. They didn’t even offer me a credit or discount for not fulfilling our contract. So, I pay full price for a trip that is cut short. »
OTHER TESTIMONY
It must be said here that Sépaq is not responsible for the decisions taken by the government in regulatory matters. She is only the manager of fishing, hunting, camping and more activities on the territories she administers.
In a letter he sent us on April 12, another fisherman, Louis Demers, explained his dissatisfaction with the situation he was experiencing with his group of fishermen.
“Sépaq has just informed its customers that the quota of speckled trout has just gone from 15 to 10. I have two group reservations, made in April 2023, in a chalet, with two different groups. I can tell you that dissatisfaction is present for our entire group. After checking the possibility of making a cancellation with Sépaq customer service, their response was that the cancellation terms listed on our reservation apply without change. So if we cancel our packages, we lose too many dollars. So we’ll go anyway, but we all feel like we’ve been given a Christmas tree. We are even considering organizing a class action. »
NOT SEPAQ, BUT THE MINISTRY
Consumers who feel wronged take action on Sépaq, but once again, it has no power over determining catch and possession limits.
We must instead turn to the Ministry of the Environment, the Fight against Climate Change, Wildlife and Parks.
I requested an interview with the department to find out more about these changes and this was the response I got: “We thank you for your interview request. We decline it. »
So, instead of me being able to speak to someone, I was provided with a written response which can be summed up as follows: go look on the website, the answers are there. So, I am sending you the titles of the different sites and addresses that I was asked to consult.
It seems that communications officials assume that all fishermen go online to check what is happening during the fishing season, in terms of maximum quotas, changes to opening dates and more.
I was reminded that the regulations presented cover the period from 1er April 2024 to March 31, 2026, but that the periods, limits and exceptions are, for their part, updated annually as of March 1, 2024.er april.
This explains the situation experienced by fishermen who frequent zone 27 this season, namely the drop in the limit from 15 to 10 speckled trout.
Here are the sites and addresses to consult:
– Fishing in Quebec, government of Quebec (quebec.ca)
– Fishing: new regulations, government of Quebec (bit.ly/3Uskt2O)
So, if you don’t want to have any unpleasant surprises during your excursions, take the time to go on the internet because according to the ministry, there are “several fishing areas with new features”.
FAUNICALLY WOMAN
Registrations for the Latulippe Wildlife Program of the Quebec Federation of Hunters and Fishermen are underway. From July 5 to 7, at the Seigneurie du Triton in Mauricie, participants will experience four introductory workshops, guided by experienced volunteer instructors. There will be discussion of angling, fly fishing, rifle and shotgun shooting, archery and handling an outboard motor.
To find out more or register: www.fedecp.com.
