Fishing at Lac Charest, Nord-du-Québec, Quebec

• Overview

  In Quebec, Lac Charest falls inside Nord-du-Québec. The surface lies 272 metres up. The water covers some 37 hectares, so pick a bank rather than trying to cover it all. The full circuit measures close to 2.7 km on foot. Some 91 km away sits La Sarre, the nearest settlement. Greater Sudbury is the closest city, 372 km away. There is no boundary nearby to worry about.

• Where to Fish on Lac Charest

  Depth here is unknown, so count the lead down before committing. A natural lake fishes on cover, and cover here means weed and timber. A soft bed grows weed late into autumn, which keeps fish shallow. Public occurrence data for Nord-du-Québec names Arctic charr, brook trout, lake trout, lake whitefish and cisco. It is the county picture; the agency list is water-specific. Anyone new to Lac Charest should walk it once before setting up.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Expect July near 16°C and January near -19°C on the long-run figures. The season is measured in weeks rather than months. The lid usually sets by midwinter and gives way around early May. The open-water window runs from around early May to about mid November in an average year. May into June fishes hardest, and September gives a second good stretch before the lid returns. It sets the rhythm of the year at Lac Charest.

• Tackle & Baits

  The access position is unclear from public sources. It formed naturally, so levels move with rainfall rather than with a gate. No car park, ramp or path is recorded within easy reach of the shore. Light line and small metal for the trout; a fly rod earns its place on calm evenings. Ask in the nearest town if you are unsure. Where the way in crosses private ground, ask first. For a change of water, Lac Grenier is 5.4 km distant. Rules at Lac Charest are worth checking on the day.