Quebec fisherman reels in 244lb, record-breaking Atlantic halibut — for science
Published on Feb. 5, 2026, 2:42 PM
A Quebec ice fisherman spent two and a half hours battling a massive 244-pound Atlantic halibut in the Saguenay Fjord on Saturday, breaking the area's record.
The fish, caught by Alain Hamel, measures two meters long, making it larger than most of the fishermen. This impressive catch surpasses last year's record of 194 pounds.
Marc-André Galbrand, president of the basin committee, Comité de bassin de la Baie des Ha! Ha! (CBBH), shared insights into the challenge of halibut fishing. He humorously noted, 'You have to head on to physio after' due to the strain on one's arms.
Galbrand explained that the project, conducted in collaboration with the local Fjord Museum, aims to gather scientific data about the species. The fish are caught, tagged, and brought to the museum for weighing and dissection. The head bones are analyzed to understand migration patterns.
The halibut was officially weighed on Monday, and the meat will be shared among participants. Galbrand expects around 170 pounds of delicious fish to remain after distribution.
Jérôme Rousseau, another fisherman, caught a large Atlantic halibut off the coast of Sainte-Rose-du-Nord on the Saguenay River. This catch holds a special significance after four years of participating in the scientific fishing program and over 1,200 hours of fishing.
The fish was brought to the Fjord Museum, where its head and stomach were removed for analysis. Rousseau plans to enjoy the rest of the fish with his fishing partners, already exploring recipes.
Galbrand described halibut fishing as an 'extreme sport' requiring expertise and caution due to the fish's sharp teeth. The depth of the water adds another challenge, as fishermen target depths between 120 to 180 meters.
The scientific fishing of Atlantic halibut was temporarily halted to avoid exceeding the quota. Out of 35 halibut authorized, 27 have been caught. For the remaining eight, the CBBH plans to authorize a small number of fishers chosen by lottery.
This article, written by Rachel Watts, was originally published for CBC News.
