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

• Overview

  The Nord-du-Québec end of Quebec holds Lac Courtalon. The ground round it is boreal forest. This is sizeable water at about 3.88 sq km, and a boat opens up most of it. Compared with other Quebec water on our list, it sits high. Fermont is the closest town at 219 km. Then Labrador City, 222 km, and Wabush, 226 km. There is no boundary nearby to worry about.

• Where to Fish on Lac Courtalon

  Depth is not on record here, which means reading the ground instead. A soft bed grows weed late into autumn, which keeps fish shallow. Where the bottom changes texture, fish gather; find that line. Fish documented in Nord-du-Québec include Arctic charr, brook trout, lake trout, lake whitefish and cisco. The county figures include rivers and lakes alike. The near bank of Lac Courtalon is often the one people ignore.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Long-run averages give July about 13°C and January about -24°C. Little of the calendar is open water, so timing counts for everything. The lid usually goes in late May, which opens the strongest weeks of the year. Averages place the thaw at late May and the freeze at late October. Fish feed hardest at the start and the close of the open season. It holds true on Lac Courtalon more years than not.

• Tackle & Baits

  Ownership and access are not documented in what we hold. There is no mapped parking or launch close by, which usually means walking in. Trout here take small spinners, spoons and, where fly water allows, a nymph or dry. Ask in the nearest town if you are unsure. Fishing rules and camping rules are set separately here. Lac Chimay at 4.1 km is the sensible second choice. Treat Lac Courtalon as unsettled until someone local tells you otherwise.