Lac Castor Fishing near Saint-Honoré, Quebec

• Overview

  Set in Saguenay/Lac-Saint-Jean, Lac Castor is a Quebec water. It stands 473 metres above sea level. This is a pocket water of some 3 hectares, and every part of it is reachable from the bank. Most waters listed here for Saguenay/Lac-Saint-Jean are larger. Start from Saint-Honoré, 28 km down the road. After that come Saint-Ambroise at 31 km and Labrecque at 35 km. The county line is nowhere near, so one local authority covers the water.

• Where to Fish on Lac Castor

  We hold no depth figure for this one. Still water like this holds fish on the edges rather than out in the open. On a natural lake the weed line and the shelf beyond it do the work. Species logged across Saguenay/Lac-Saint-Jean include northern pike, Atlantic salmon, lake whitefish and fallfish. Several of these carry legal protection or closed seasons; the rulebook comes before the rod. The near bank of Lac Castor is often the one people ignore.

• Seasonal Patterns

  The year swings from about -18°C in January to roughly 16°C in July. Long winters and short summers set the pattern. Winter locks it down, and early May brings it back. Expect the water usable from around early May until roughly mid November. Reckon on open water from spring through to late autumn, with May and June the strongest. Keep it in mind when planning a trip to Lac Castor.

• Tackle & Baits

  Whether the bank is open is not something our records settle. Mapping shows an empty shoreline: no ramp, no jetty, no marked entry. For the pike, wire up and throw larger lures along the weed edges. Ask in the nearest town if you are unsure. Keep proof of licence with you rather than in the car. Lac Levesque at 0.5 km is the sensible second choice. Confirm before you fish Lac Castor.