Credit: Roger St-Laurent

Fish and Seafood in Gaspésie

Savour Fish and Seafood in Gaspésie

In Gaspésie, seafood is on the menu year-round. Crab season usually starts in time for Easter, and lobster for Mother’s Day: both delicacies are among the highly anticipated first catches of the year in the province. Crab and lobster continue to be available throughout the rest of the year thanks to flash-freezing, which occurs right after they are caught or processed and locks in peak taste, texture and freshness.

Fishing plays an important role in everyday life in Gaspésie, supporting the regional economy while ensuring a rich culinary tradition. Throughout the region, you will come across fish markets, snack bars and restaurants that feature local seafood. Smokehouses also keep a strong tradition alive. Smoked Atlantic salmon is a local specialty and a source of pride, even though this fish is farmed rather than wild caught.

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Discover Some of the Best Seafood Flavours of Gaspésie

Lobster

Credit: Roger St-Laurent

Lobster

Prized for its tender meat and refined flavour, Gaspésie lobster can be enjoyed in countless ways, from lobster rolls to sophisticated dishes created by chefs who know how to elevate the flavour of this iconic crustacean. Caught from May to June, lobster can be savoured fresh throughout the summer since it is kept live in tanks in many fish markets and restaurants.
Crab

Credit: Josiane Isabel

Crab

During peak snow crab season in the spring, locals stock up on this delicate meat so they can enjoy it for weeks to come. Try crab in cakes, rolls or club sandwiches. To take a taste of Gaspésie home with you, consider stocking up on the small jars of frozen crab sold in fish markets.
Northern Shrimps

Credit: Atelier Camion

Shrimp

In the spring, excitement fills the air as shell-on shrimp arrives on the market, kicking off shrimp-peeling season! By the summer, shrimp is found in abundance in fish markets throughout the region. Follow the local tradition and order a small cup of shrimp with a toothpick to enjoy on the go. You can also savour these crustaceans served in a shrimp roll, which is a classic snack-bar favourite.
Smoked Salmon

Credit: Atelier Camion

Smoked Salmon

Gaspésie’s expertise in smoking seafood is now recognized far beyond the borders of the region. Many restaurants serve smoked salmon as a starter or main course. Perfect for picnics or in meals you prepare at your campsite, smoked salmon is sold ready to eat in packages available at most fish markets as well as directly from local smokehouses.
La Maison du Pêcheur Percé Restaurants

Credit: Roger St-Laurent

Cod and Other Fish

Whether you savour it in fishcakes or fish and chips, cod is a must-try in Gaspésie. Other white fish may also be on the menu, depending on the time of year, including haddock, halibut and sometimes even tuna. In the winter, fish dinners and bouillabaisse are comforting dishes available throughout the region. Redfish has also recently begun to appear on restaurant menus.