Lac des Sauts, Nova Scotia: Fishing Spots and Seasons

• Overview

  Look for Lac des Sauts in the Guysborough County part of Nova Scotia. It sits 7.5 km in from the sea. At roughly 9 hectares, the whole thing is within casting reach of a single walk. Nearest place of any size is Port Hawkesbury, 43 km away. The nearest city of size is Sydney, 140 km away. It sits well inside the county, so one set of rules covers it.

• Where to Fish on Lac des Sauts

  Depth is unknown to us, and the shoreline is the better guide. The shallow end warms first and pulls fish in ahead of the rest. On a natural lake the weed line and the shelf beyond it do the work. Fish documented in Guysborough County include alewife, American eel, brook trout and Atlantic salmon. Some of the species recorded here are protected or tightly regulated, so check what may be targeted before you fish. On Lac des Sauts the quiet end is the one worth the extra effort.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Expect August to average close to 18°C, with February the cold end at about -6°C. Winter shuts the surface down for months. Break-up comes around late April, and the run that follows is short and strong. On the long-run averages the water opens up around late April and starts locking again about late December. The first weeks of open water and the last are the ones to plan for. On Lac des Sauts that shapes the whole year.

• Tackle & Baits

  No access rule appears in what we hold. Access points are not mapped for this water, which suits people who like quiet. For the trout, small spinners and a box of nymphs cover both approaches. Rules differ from one water to the next round here. Where tickets apply, they are sold in the nearest town rather than on the bank. Failing this one, try Simons Lake, 0.8 km away. Rules at Lac des Sauts are worth checking on the day.