Gill Lake in Newfoundland and Labrador: How and When to Fish It

• Overview

  Gill Lake falls in in Newfoundland and Labrador. Height above sea level is 489 metres. The edge covers about 23 km, enough to hold several distinct areas. Compared with other Newfoundland and Labrador water on our list, it sits high. For a base, Labrador City sits 214 km out. It is 795 km to Saguenay, the nearest city. The nearest edge is a long way off, so local rules apply throughout.

• Where to Fish on Gill Lake

  The records we hold are silent on depth, so plan to find it yourself. Where the bottom changes texture, fish gather; find that line. A soft bed grows weed late into autumn, which keeps fish shallow. On Gill Lake the obvious spot is not always the productive one. The shallow end warms first and pulls fish in ahead of the rest.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Between January at about -24°C and July at about 12°C, the water has a wide range to work through. The year here is short and sharp: a long lid, then a burst of open water. Winter fishing happens on the ice here, with open water back around early June. On the long-run averages the water opens up around early June and starts locking again about late October. The weeks after the thaw and the ones before the freeze are the strongest. That is the shape of the year on Gill Lake.

• Tackle & Baits

  No public source sets out the position on this bank. Records list it as a natural water body rather than an impoundment. No car park, ramp or path is recorded within easy reach of the shore. Check whether a boat is allowed before you tow one. Access can change hands, so last year's answer may not hold. Lac Roymart at 8.7 km is the sensible second choice. Confirm before you fish Gill Lake.