Which freshwater fish is the most fun to catch?

What better than a wood stove debate during the beautiful season?

I can already hear the protests and I have not even mentioned any species yet! Every fishing enthusiast has at least one preference they are willing to defend teeth and nails. Over the years and trips, they have accumulated arguments galore. Memorable battles have nurtured their preferred fish's belonging to the top of the list, and some may even have been passed down through their own heritage, from generation to generation. Their favourite catch is written in their genes.

And you? Are you more pike or muskie? Ouananiche or salmon?

Let's have a look at the main candidates that could aspire to the title of Ultimate Catch. One of the most popular in Quebec is brook trout. It easily wins the beauty prize for its dazzling colours, which we systematically marvel at. Its combativeness and the challenge of hunting for large 3-4 pound predators make it a prime candidate.

Add just a bit of dignity and stature and all salmon fishermen will proclaim with a unique voice that the king of our rivers is in its own category, above all comparison with other fish. To insist would be a pure and simple lèse-majesté and would be condemned without any other form of trial.

This places ouananiche and sea trout in second place, before having even fought for the title. They, who by their rarity, finesse and combativeness are high quality suitors.

We must not forget bass, which is said to be as combative as salmon, pound for pound. Its reputation for being a fighter echoes to reach anglers who have never even crossed swords with this specimen, which can itself be tempted to bite even without worms or baits.

In terms of fighting spirit, perch should not be left aside, as it is making a return in the good graces of the most seasoned anglers. Catching one of these 2-pound swimmers with an ultra-light rod is told to be pure bliss.

Foodies will be tempted to declare walleye winner, because the delicacy of its flesh will win over the most refined taste buds and palates.

The size, aggressiveness, and impressive features of northern pike move its catch from the fishing to the hunting category—its predation and fighting instincts are so strong that pulling it out of the water can appear very violent for sports fishery.

In the same category, we cannot skip muskellunge, which alone feeds more spectacular legends than any other freshwater fish. It remains one of the largest predators in North America. The challenge of challenges!

We could also mention carp which is making a comeback, and sturgeon which has its share of enthusiasts, but even if each fisherman claims a clear preference for a species, all agree to say that the most pleasant freshwater fish to catch remains the next one to be caught, or even better: the one that has never been caught!