Lac Cropus Fishing Guide, Nord-du-Québec, Quebec

• Overview

  Lac Cropus lies within the bounds of Nord-du-Québec, Quebec. The water sits 411 metres up. The water measures roughly 4 hectares, so nothing here is far from anything else. It is one of the smaller waters we list in Nord-du-Québec. Nearest place of any size is Chibougamau, 35 km away. Saguenay sits 261 km out, and it is the nearest city worth the name. It lies deep inside the county rather than near an edge.

• Where to Fish on Lac Cropus

  The records we hold are silent on depth, so plan to find it yourself. A soft bed grows weed late into autumn, which keeps fish shallow. This is a lake, so the margins and the first drop matter most. Nord-du-Québec records list Arctic charr, brook trout, lake trout and lake whitefish among the fish reported. The county figures include rivers and lakes alike. Read Lac Cropus before you fish it and the day goes better.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Temperature averages peak at 16°C in July and bottom out at -19°C in January. A short, intense season is the rule this far north. Hard water holds through the cold months, breaking up near early May. Break-up near early May, freeze-up near mid November: that is the shape of an average year. Right after break-up, and again as the nights sharpen, is when to go. Keep it in mind when planning a trip to Lac Cropus.

• Tackle & Baits

  There is no clear statement anywhere on who can fish it. No made access appears within a short radius, so plan to park on a verge and walk. Trout here take small spinners, spoons and, where fly water allows, a nymph or dry. Look for a notice board at the entrance. Keep proof of licence with you rather than in the car. Lac Cravate sits 0.8 km off and takes the overflow. Rules at Lac Cropus are worth checking on the day.