St anne de la pérade ice fishing

Despite the warm weather earlier this week, ice fishing for cod began on time Wednesday morning in Ste-Anne-de-la-Pérade​, a small community east of Trois-Rivieres that attracts up to 100,000 visitors to its river every winter. 

Tomcod, a type of cod also known as winter cod, trigger the annual operation on the Ste-Anne River starting in November.

Members of the Ste-Anne River Outfitters Association​ first ensure the ice is thick enough to support cabins by pouring water over it. This thickens the ice faster than if left solely to the moving river underneath.

When it's thick enough, the association starts drilling holes for fishing and installing its cabins.

But last week, 60 millimetres of rain forced the association to remove the cabins it had already installed. Still, it managed to set up 100 by opening day Wednesday and plans to install another 375 by the end of the week. 

Tourism draw for Mauricie

The association's president, Steve Massicotte, said the warm weather may have set profits from the fishing back a few thousand dollars, but it's not nearly as bad as previous years' weather woes. 

"We're already privileged to be able to start on time this year. Sometimes, we've had to wait until Jan. 5," Massicotte said. 

• Quebec fishermen pull monster cod out while ice fishing

"It's all part of Mother Nature and the winter season."

The fishing brings nearly $6 million in economic spinoffs to the Mauricie region. The activity attracts people from all over the province, as well as tourists from around the world.

By Wednesday, a number of Toronto families had made their way there for the winter activity.

The ice had made its way back up to 24 inches thick by Wednesday, "so it's super secure," Massicotte said.

Ice fishing on the river is a holiday tradition for Lucie Miron and her husband, who were there with their children Wednesday morning. 

"It's really important because we love doing it with the kids. It's a family event for us," she said from inside one of the cabins. 

In February, the municipality holds its Tomcod Ice Fishing Festival, which includes a number of outdoor activities and entertainment.

Rates for 2020-2021

All season long, the total rate for your family  must be at least $70 on weekdays and $140 on weekends (Saturdays and Sundays). The fishing huts cannot be rented for less.

These rates include all the equipment, the shelter, all the fish taken plus all the activities like sliding, ice skating, ride on the streetcar and the entry to the Tomcod Interpretation Center.

Note: Dogs are allowed on the site and in the cottages; however, we ask you to keep them on a leash when they are outside.

COVID-19 :

• Maximum one family (members coming from the same address) per fishing shack;
• Please, cancel your booking if a member of your group shows Covid-19 symptoms, is waiting for un test result or tested positive to the virus;
• If you come from another area than Mauricie, please do not visit shops from our area, to avoid spreading of the virus (do shopping in your own area, before leaving);
• Only one person of your group must go inside the outfitter’s office to check-in and pay for the booking;
• Everyone must respect basics sanitary instructions, at any time: social distancing, frequent hands washing, mask wearing inside closed public areas such as the outfitter’s offices.

Fishing schedule