Lac des Sapinettes Fishing in Nord-du-Québec, Quebec

• Overview

  This water sits in Nord-du-Québec, Quebec. The setting is taiga on every side. At 7 hectares it is the sort of place you fish for an evening rather than a day. It is a small entry by Nord-du-Québec standards. 68 km away sits Chibougamau, the nearest town. Chapais lies 75 km off, Mistissini another 121 km. It sits well inside its county, with no border complications.

• Where to Fish on Lac des Sapinettes

  There is no recorded depth, so work from what you can see. 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. Public occurrence data for Nord-du-Québec names Arctic charr, brook trout, lake trout, lake whitefish and cisco. The list covers the county rather than this water alone, so treat it as a guide. The near bank of Lac des Sapinettes is often the one people ignore.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Expect July near 16°C and January near -19°C on the long-run figures. This is a two-season water: locked, then wide open. The lid usually goes in early May, which opens the strongest weeks of the year. On the long-run averages the water opens up around early May and starts locking again about mid November. Fish feed hardest at the start and the close of the open season. Keep it in mind when planning a trip to Lac des Sapinettes.

• Tackle & Baits

  The access position is unclear from public sources. Mapping is blank for access, so scout the approach before committing the car. Trout here take small spinners, spoons and, where fly water allows, a nymph or dry. Check locally before you travel, because a wasted drive is a long one. Some ground is open by custom rather than by right, so tread carefully. If the gate is shut, Lac Falicon at 1.4 km is the nearest alternative. Treat Lac des Sapinettes as unsettled until someone local tells you otherwise.