Lac de la Martre Fishing near Pont Rouge, Quebec

• Overview

  Lac de la Martre is one of the Saguenay/Lac-Saint-Jean waters in Quebec. It lies 278 metres above sea level. With some 24 hectares of water, there is room for a boat but no need of one. The full circuit measures close to 4.7 km on foot. Pont Rouge is the closest place, 30 km off. The nearest city of size is Saguenay, 90 km away. No boundary runs near, so the local rules hold throughout.

• Where to Fish on Lac de la Martre

  Depth here is unknown, so count the lead down before committing. A soft bed grows weed late into autumn, which keeps fish shallow. Bays and points beat straight shoreline every time on water like this. Species logged across Saguenay/Lac-Saint-Jean include northern pike, Atlantic salmon, lake whitefish and fallfish. At least one recorded species is protected in parts of its range; read the local rules before targeting anything. Take Lac de la Martre a stretch at a time.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Expect July to average close to 17°C, with January the cold end at about -19°C. The freeze holds for the better part of the year. The lid usually sets by midwinter and gives way around early May. In an average year the thaw lands around early May and the freeze near mid November. June through September is the settled part of the year, with the shoulders busier for fish. It holds true on Lac de la Martre more years than not.

• Tackle & Baits

  Our records carry no access rule either way. No dam controls it, and the level follows the season. Access is unmapped, which usually means a farm track and a walk. Pike mean a wire trace, no exceptions; big spoons and jerkbaits do the searching. Season dates differ by species, so read the table. Check whether bait restrictions apply before you buy any. Failing this one, try Lac des Mardis, 1 km away. Rules at Lac de la Martre are worth checking on the day.