Lac Flein Fishing Guide, Abitibi-Témiscamingue, Quebec

• Overview

  Abitibi-Témiscamingue, Quebec, is where Lac Flein sits. Boreal forest runs right down to the water. With some 19 hectares of water, there is room for a boat but no need of one. Shoreline comes to about 1.7 km, small enough to learn in a day. 68 km away sits Val-d'Or, the nearest town. Gatineau sits 275 km out, and it is the nearest city worth the name. The nearest edge is a long way off, so local rules apply throughout.

• Where to Fish on Lac Flein

  No depth figure appears in our records, so the bank has to tell you. The shallow end warms first and pulls fish in ahead of the rest. On a natural lake the weed line and the shelf beyond it do the work. Across Abitibi-Témiscamingue, recorded fish include northern pike, yellow perch and walleye. It is the county picture; the agency list is water-specific. At Lac Flein the water rewards a slow, careful approach.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Average temperature peaks around 17°C in July and bottoms out near -17°C in January. The freeze holds for the better part of the year. Hard cover is dependable here; it goes around early May. From about early May to around mid November, expect open water on the long-run figures. The shoulder weeks of the open season are the productive ones. Time your trip to Lac Flein by conditions rather than dates.

• Tackle & Baits

  Whether the bank is open is not something our records settle. No dam controls it, and the level follows the season. A campsite lies 720 m away for anyone staying over. A wire trace and a big bright lure handle the pike; deep water asks for a heavier spoon. Look for a notice board at the entrance. Close seasons apply to some species and not others. For a change of water, Lac Dolmen is 1 km distant. Rules at Lac Flein are worth checking on the day.