Fishing at Lac Astrue, Saguenay/Lac-Saint-Jean, Quebec

• Overview

  Lac Astrue is one of the Saguenay/Lac-Saint-Jean waters in Quebec. Elevation runs to 302 metres. It covers about 8 hectares, so this is small water you can walk round in under an hour. The closest town, Normandin, is 50 km away. It is 167 km to Saguenay, the nearest city. Close neighbours run: Lac Fenris the better part of 0.7 km, Lac Baufroy at 2.1 km, Lac Chalo the better part of 3.6 km, Lac Vegiar at 4.1 km and Lac Poussard the better part of 4.7 km. The nearest boundary is a fair way off.

• Where to Fish on Lac Astrue

  Depth here is unknown, so count the lead down before committing. This is a lake, so the margins and the first drop matter most. On a natural lake the weed line and the shelf beyond it do the work. Records held for Saguenay/Lac-Saint-Jean cover northern pike, Atlantic salmon, lake whitefish and fallfish. Several of these carry legal protection or closed seasons; the rulebook comes before the rod. At Lac Astrue the water rewards a slow, careful approach.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Seasonal averages run from -19°C in January up to 16°C in July. This far north the hard season runs and runs. Count on hard cover from midwinter, and open water from early May. Climate averages put the opening at about early May and the closing near mid November. Fish feed hardest at the start and the close of the open season. It holds true on Lac Astrue more years than not.

• Tackle & Baits

  Public data does not answer the access question here. Public data shows nothing built here, so treat the whole approach as informal. For the pike, wire up and throw larger lures along the weed edges. Read any posted signs at the access point rather than assuming. Where the way in crosses private ground, ask first. Failing this one, try Lac Fenris, 0.7 km away. Check the position on Lac Astrue before loading the car.