Between May and June, the capelin rolls onto the beaches of the estuary and Gulf of St. Lawrence. For residents of the Côte-Nord who live near the shores, it's the long-awaited miraculous fishing season! Since one never knows exactly when the small fish will arrive, the wait is also an opportunity to gather with family and friends by a beachside bonfire. By moonlight, anecdotes from the past months are shared, and our best jokes are told... all while keeping an eye on the waves.

Why is it called capelin rolling?

Capelin is a prey fish that congregates in schools. During this time of year, it moves closer to the shore and rolls onto the beaches in the thousands. Why? Because spring is the mating season, of course! They come to deposit their eggs in the sand, pushed by the waves. A true spring festival, the arrival of the capelin signifies renewal and brings great joy to both young and old enthusiasts of net fishing... or even barehanded! The dates when the capelin rolls vary slightly from year to year, depending on the early or late arrival of spring and the high tides.

A true silver tide

At the beginning of the season, the fish school arrives rather discreetly, mostly at night (although sometimes also visible in the early morning light, especially towards the end of the season). Like a silver tide approaching the shore, shimmering under the starry sky, the capelin offer a fascinating spectacle! By the warmth of the campfire, amateur fishermen scan the waves breaking on the beach, on the lookout for a sign... Who will be the first to shout, "It's rolling!" and fill their bucket with these delicious little fish the size of anchovies?

How to prepare capelin?

Nothing could be easier! Some will smoke it, freeze it, or dry it. Others will eat it directly over the fire. Most enjoy them fried after rolling them in flour and salt. The large bones are easily removed once the capelin is cooked. Each person has their own way of preparing this classic dish that officially heralds the beginning of the beautiful season on the Côte-Nord.

Have you seen capelin rolling?

Have you seen capelin "rolling"? If so, a team of scientists would like to know where, in order to study the species, as well as the entire river ecosystem. Help science learn more about this precious little fish to the Atlantic coast ecosystem, which is a choice meal for birds, seals, and whales. Take a photo, note the location, date, and time, and report your observations on the ecapelan website. You can also check the observation map to get an idea of the dates when the fish roll in each area.