Lac Barbie, Quebec: Fishing Spots and Seasons

• Overview

  Lac Barbie is one of the Nord-du-Québec waters in Quebec. The bank gives way to northern bush. At about 93 hectares, a day is enough to walk the shoreline properly. The margin runs to about 5.3 km in total. Waswanipi lies 28 km from the water. Lebel-sur-Quévillon is 86 km and Chapais 90 km. In the same area: Lac Bachelor lies 5.6 km on, Lac Billy just 7.2 km, Lac Auger lies 7.5 km on, Lac Cere just 9.9 km and Lac Pretty lies 12 km on. There is no boundary nearby to worry about.

• Where to Fish on Lac Barbie

  Depth figures are not published for this one. On a natural lake the weed line and the shelf beyond it do the work. Read the surface for the wind lane, then fish the edge of it. Nord-du-Québec records list Arctic charr, brook trout, lake trout, lake whitefish and cisco among the fish reported. County data is a starting point rather than a guarantee. Read Lac Barbie for ten minutes before the first cast goes out.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Averages here run 16°C at the top of summer and -19°C at the bottom of winter. The ice season is long here and the open one short. Ice fishing carries the winter, and the water opens about early May. In an average year the thaw lands around early May and the freeze near mid November. May into June fishes hardest, and September gives a second good stretch before the lid returns. Time your trip to Lac Barbie by conditions rather than dates.

• Tackle & Baits

  There is no clear statement anywhere on who can fish it. It formed naturally, so levels move with rainfall rather than with a gate. We find no slipway, car park or made path within a short radius, so treat access as rough. Light line and small metal for the trout; a fly rod earns its place on calm evenings. Read any posted signs at the access point rather than assuming. Some stretches are reserved and marked as such on the ground. Should this one be busy, Lac Bachelor is 5.6 km off. Ask locally about Lac Barbie if anything is unclear.