Lac Galipeau Fishing near Thurso, Quebec

• Overview

  Outaouais in Quebec is where Lac Galipeau sits. It sits at 184 metres above sea level. At roughly 4 hectares, the whole thing is within casting reach of a single walk. It lies lower than most water we list in Quebec. Nearest place of any size is Thurso, 7.7 km away. Clarence-Rockland is 14 km and Wendover 14 km. Also within reach: Lac a Memere 2.2 km, Lac Croche (2.7 km), Lac Dant 3.2 km, Lac Laroche (3.6 km) and Lac a la Perchaude 3.8 km. This one sits near enough to a boundary to be worth checking.

• Where to Fish on Lac Galipeau

  No published figure covers depth, so learn it as you fish. Look for the band where the shallows give up and the bottom falls away. On a natural lake the weed line and the shelf beyond it do the work. Outaouais records list pumpkinseed, yellow perch, smallmouth bass and rainbow smelt among the fish reported. Records at this level tell you what is in the area. Read Lac Galipeau for ten minutes before the first cast goes out.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Expect July near 19°C and January near -13°C on the long-run figures. The middle months are generous; the ends are demanding. After late April the shallows warm and the fish move up. Average temperatures cross freezing around late April in spring and again near early December in autumn. The open run goes from the thaw to the freeze, and April through October covers most of it. The season on Lac Galipeau rarely departs from it.

• Tackle & Baits

  There is no clear statement anywhere on who can fish it. No car park, ramp or path is recorded within easy reach of the shore. Bass water: a Texas-rigged worm near cover, a spinnerbait when you need to cover ground. Read any posted signs at the access point rather than assuming. Signs go up and come down, so check on the day. The nearest alternative is Lac a Memere, 2.2 km out. Nothing here settles the position at Lac Galipeau for certain.