A Quebec ice fisherman spent two and a half hours battling a 244-pound halibut in the Saguenay Fjord, marking the largest Atlantic halibut ever documented in the region. Marc-André Galbrand, the president of the basin committee, described the fish as challenging to catch, emphasizing the need for patience and the physical toll it takes on one’s arms.
The massive halibut, measuring two meters in length, was caught by Alain Hamel in the L’Anse-Saint-Jean sector of the fjord, surpassing last year’s record of a 194-pound halibut. This fishing expedition, conducted in collaboration with the local Fjord Museum, was part of a scientific project aimed at enhancing knowledge about the species.
Although fishing Atlantic halibut is prohibited in the Saguenay Fjord, participants in the project catch, tag, and transport the fish to the museum for analysis. The bones in the fish’s head provide insights into its migration patterns. The halibut caught will be distributed among fishermen, with an estimated 170 pounds of delectable meat available from this week’s haul.
Jérôme Rousseau, after four years of involvement in the scientific fishing program and over 1,200 hours of fishing, also landed a substantial Atlantic halibut off the coast of Sainte-Rose-du-Nord on the Saguenay River this season. The captured halibut was promptly taken to the Fjord Museum for further examination.
Galbrand highlighted the depth of the water as an additional challenge faced by fishermen, with fishing operations carried out at depths ranging from 120 to 180 meters. He emphasized the need for caution due to the halibut’s sharp teeth and strength, likening the fishing experience to an extreme sport.
Following the record-breaking catch, scientific fishing of Atlantic Halibut was halted to avoid exceeding the designated quota in the fjord. Out of the 35 halibut permitted for scientific fishing, 27 have been caught, and plans are underway to potentially allow a small number of chosen fishers to catch the remaining eight through a lottery system.