Fishing in Parc national de Forillon

Forillon National Park sits at the eastern tip of the Gaspé Peninsula, where the land narrows to a point between the Gulf of St. Lawrence and Gaspé Bay.

The fishing here is shaped almost entirely by that saltwater setting — this is coastal angling, not river or lake fishing, and the experience reflects it. The main fishing grounds inside the park are the wharves and shoreline.

Grande-Grave wharf, on the south side of the peninsula, is the most established spot and draws both locals and visitors. The Cap-des-Rosiers area anchors the north entrance.

Mackerel and striped bass are the two species anglers target, and both can be caught from shore or dock without a provincial fishing licence — the groundfish fishery operates under Parks Canada regulations rather than a standard licence, though you must follow the park's current rules.

Check with the park directly for what's in effect before you go. Mackerel show up reliably through the warmer months and are the more accessible of the two species — straightforward gear, no bait restrictions.

Striped bass fishing has grown in popularity in recent years, though anglers note it tends to be stronger in Gaspé Bay than inside the park itself. Within park waters, striped bass must be fished without natural bait.

Two areas are off-limits: the Penouille salt marsh and the vicinity of the Petit-Gaspé seal haul-out. These closures exist for good reason — the park's coastal conservation areas support seals, seabirds, and marine habitat that make Forillon what it is.

The fishing here won't suit someone looking for a remote river or a backcountry trout lake.

What it does give you is easy access to productive saltwater from a working wharf, with the cliffs of Cap-Bon-Ami in the background and the Gulf stretching out in front. That's the trade Forillon offers, and for the right angler, it's enough.