If there are no changes, it is this Saturday at midnight that the recreational groundfish fishery will be launched in the Saguenay Fjord.

Fisheries and Oceans Canada has still not made any changes to its schedule despite the mild weather over the past few days.

However, caution will be required because there is little ice offshore, not even at all in certain sectors such as Les Battures in the borough of La Baie.

Like many other ice fishing enthusiasts, Marc Boily is eager to tease groundfish, but not at the expense of his safety.

“We don't want anything bad to happen,” said the fisherman and long-time volunteer who has been sleeping in his cabin for several days now, even though she is still on dry land.

He suggests that fishermen not venture offshore despite the official opening of the groundfish fishery on Saturday.

"We must not go offshore," he said. Stay within village boundaries and avoid straying.”

The ice has held up where the villages have been laid out, to the delight of the fishermen who take their troubles patiently teasing the smelt.

The small fish is caught in shallow water where it is safe to venture.

"I'm not impatient," said a fisherman. I have a fishing rod in my hands and that's the most important thing."

"I'm going to wait for people to go offshore before going there because clear water doesn't mean much to me, especially with children," said another I met on the Anse- à-Benjamin this Tuesday.

This is not the first time that Mother Nature has disrupted the start of the season, recalls the organization responsible for activity on the ice at La Baie.

“Three years ago, we had the same conditions as today and the fishing was still able to start at the end of January,” recalled the general manager of Contact Nature, Marc-André Galbrand.

Boarding the cabins is rarely possible before mid-January.

On average, villages open between January 22 and 28.

"With climate change, we can expect to change our habits, but I'm confident that we can still have a great season this year, even if it won't be hasty," mentioned Mr. Galbrand.

Les Glaces de La Baie will welcome a total of 1,100 houses this year, as soon as conditions permit.