Fishing at Lac Croche, Côte-Nord, Quebec

• Overview

  Quebec holds Lac Croche, in Côte-Nord. The country here is northern bush. About 8 hectares of surface, which puts the far bank inside easy sight. Ground here is low by Quebec standards. The closest town, Baie-Comeau, is 11 km distant. It is 229 km to Saguenay, the nearest city. Within easy reach: Lac Couillard 3 km off, Lac Baloney after 3 km, Lac Saucisse 3.1 km off, Lac Castelnau after 3.4 km and Lac Saint-Joseph 3.5 km off. No county line comes close, which keeps the paperwork simple.

• Where to Fish on Lac Croche

  Depth is not on record here, so the bank has to tell you. This is a lake, so the margins and the first drop matter most. Weed, then depth: that is the order to fish a water of this kind. Côte-Nord records list logperch among the fish reported. The county figures include rivers and lakes alike. At Lac Croche light and wind decide more than tackle does.

• Seasonal Patterns

  The seasonal spread runs -15°C to 17°C. Long winters and short summers set the pattern. Break-up comes around early May, and the run that follows is short and strong. On average, early May opens the water and late November closes it again. From the thaw to midsummer the fishing improves week by week. It sets the rhythm of the year at Lac Croche.

• Tackle & Baits

  There is no clear statement anywhere on who can fish it. We find no slipway, car park or made path within a short radius, so treat access as rough. For the perch, a small jig tipped with worm, dropped along the edges, is hard to beat. Look for a notice board at the entrance. Access can change hands, so last year's answer may not hold. Lac Couillard, 3 km away, makes the obvious fallback. Check the position at Lac Croche before loading the car.