Fishing Lac Finlay in Abitibi-Témiscamingue, Quebec

• Overview

  Out in Abitibi-Témiscamingue, Quebec, sits Lac Finlay. It sits at 349 metres above sea level. About 6 hectares of surface, which puts the far bank inside easy sight. On size it sits at the modest end of our Abitibi-Témiscamingue list. For supplies, Mattawa is 34 km out. The big place round here is Greater Sudbury, 209 km distant. No county line comes close, which keeps the paperwork simple.

• Where to Fish on Lac Finlay

  No published figure covers depth, so learn it as you fish. The shallow end warms first and pulls fish in ahead of the rest. The productive water is a rod length or two out, not a hundred. Survey and observation records for Abitibi-Témiscamingue include northern pike, yellow perch and walleye. The county list is broader than any single water. On Lac Finlay the quiet end is the one worth the extra effort.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Expect July near 18°C and January near -14°C on the long-run figures. Winter closes the water for a while, and the reopening is worth catching. The lid usually goes in late April, which opens the strongest weeks of the year. Average temperatures cross freezing around late April in spring and again near late November in autumn. June through September is the settled part of the year, with the shoulders busier for fish. The season on Lac Finlay follows the weather closely.

• Tackle & Baits

  Nothing in our records says who may fish here. Access points are not mapped for this water, which suits people who like quiet. A wire trace and a big bright lure handle the pike; deep water asks for a heavier spoon. Rules differ from one water to the next round here. Signs go up and come down, so check on the day. If the gate is shut, Lac Blackburn at 1.2 km is the nearest alternative. Nothing here settles the position at Lac Finlay for certain.