Lac Bitume, Quebec: Fishing Spots and Seasons

• Overview

  Outaouais in Quebec is where Lac Bitume sits. The setting is boreal forest on every side. At 2 hectares it is the sort of place you fish for an evening rather than a day. It is a small entry by Outaouais standards. Nearest town is Ferme-Neuve, 89 km off. Gatineau is the closest city, 207 km away. The nearest edge is a long way off, so local rules apply throughout.

• Where to Fish on Lac Bitume

  Depth figures are not published for this one. Look for the band where the shallows give up and the bottom falls away. Still water like this holds fish on the edges rather than out in the open. Species logged across Outaouais include pumpkinseed, yellow perch, smallmouth bass, rainbow smelt and Iowa darter. Records at this level tell you what is in the area. Fish Lac Bitume where the bottom changes rather than where it looks deep.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Seasonal averages run from -17°C in January up to 17°C in July. The year here is short and sharp: a long lid, then a burst of open water. Look for the thaw near early May; the fishing lifts straight after. Open water usually runs from early May until about mid November. The strongest runs come at either end of the open season. The season on Lac Bitume rarely departs from it.

• Tackle & Baits

  No access rule appears in what we hold. Access points are not mapped for this water, which suits people who like quiet. A small crankbait along the drop and a worm in the thick stuff cover the bass. Take the rules with you rather than trusting memory. Close seasons apply to some species and not others. Lac Ripain sits 0.7 km off and takes the overflow. Where Lac Bitume is concerned, a local answer beats a written one.