Fishing Lac de la Sarracenie in Abitibi-Témiscamingue, Quebec

• Overview

  Lac de la Sarracenie lies within the bounds of Abitibi-Témiscamingue, Quebec. Height above sea level is 401 metres. Start from Macamic, 37 km down the road. After that come Rouyn-Noranda at 39 km and Amos at 42 km. Others close at hand: Lac du Sablon (1 km), Lac de l'Esker 1.5 km away, Lac Sault (1.7 km), Lac Frontiere 2 km away and Lac Rond (3.2 km). The nearest boundary is a fair way off.

• Where to Fish on Lac de la Sarracenie

  Depth is not on record here, which means reading the ground instead. The shallow end warms first and pulls fish in ahead of the rest. A soft bed grows weed late into autumn, which keeps fish shallow. Abitibi-Témiscamingue records list northern pike, yellow perch and walleye among the fish reported. Records at county level tell you what is around, not what is stocked here. Read Lac de la Sarracenie before you fish it and the day goes better.

• Seasonal Patterns

  On the long-term average, July reads 17°C and January reads -18°C. The season is measured in weeks rather than months. The freeze runs deep into the year, with break-up near early May. The open-water window runs from around early May to about mid November in an average year. The open run goes from the thaw to the freeze, and April through October covers most of it. The season on Lac de la Sarracenie rarely departs from it.

• Tackle & Baits

  There is no clear statement anywhere on who can fish it. You can camp 790 m off, which suits an early start. A wire trace and a big bright lure handle the pike; deep water asks for a heavier spoon. Check whether a boat is allowed before you tow one. Signs go up and come down, so check on the day. Should this one be busy, Lac du Sablon is 1 km off. Rules at Lac de la Sarracenie are worth checking on the day.