Lac Carmel Fishing in Côte-Nord, Quebec

• Overview

  In Quebec, Lac Carmel falls inside Côte-Nord. It stands 512 metres above sea level. It runs to roughly 14 hectares — big enough to hold fish away from the bank, small enough to learn. The full circuit measures close to 1.6 km on foot. Compared with other Quebec water on our list, it sits high. The nearest place of any size is Forestville, 61 km away. The nearest city of size is Saguenay, 132 km away. It sits well inside its county, with no border complications.

• Where to Fish on Lac Carmel

  No depth figure has reached our records, which makes a plummet useful. Read the surface for the wind lane, then fish the edge of it. A soft bed grows weed late into autumn, which keeps fish shallow. Côte-Nord records list logperch among the fish reported. The list covers the county rather than this water alone, so treat it as a guide. At Lac Carmel the first feature you find is worth twenty minutes.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Expect July near 16°C and January near -18°C on the long-run figures. Water stays cold even at the height of the year. The freeze runs deep into the year, with break-up near early May. From about early May to around mid November, expect open water on the long-run figures. Right after break-up, and again as the nights sharpen, is when to go. That is the shape of the year on Lac Carmel.

• Tackle & Baits

  Ownership and access are not documented in what we hold. Records list it as a natural water body rather than an impoundment. Formal access is not mapped, so the last stretch is likely on foot. Perch take small lures and worms fished near the bottom close to structure. Look for a notice board at the entrance. Rules for boats are stricter than rules for the bank in many places. The nearest alternative is Petit lac Pinel, 2 km out. The position on Lac Carmel is worth confirming on the day.