Lac Gicon in Abitibi-Témiscamingue: How and When to Fish It

• Overview

  Within Abitibi-Témiscamingue, Quebec, you have Lac Gicon. The land about it is mixed forest. At 4 hectares it is the sort of place you fish for an evening rather than a day. Most waters listed here for Abitibi-Témiscamingue are larger. For supplies, Val-d'Or is 110 km out. For a city, Gatineau is 232 km off. No county line comes close, which keeps the paperwork simple.

• Where to Fish on Lac Gicon

  Depth figures are not published for this one. This is a lake, so the margins and the first drop matter most. Still water like this holds fish on the edges rather than out in the open. Survey and observation records for Abitibi-Témiscamingue include northern pike, yellow perch, walleye, white sucker and brown bullhead. The county figures include rivers and lakes alike. Read Lac Gicon before you fish it and the day goes better.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Temperature averages peak at 17°C in July and bottom out at -16°C in January. The middle months are generous; the ends are demanding. The freeze runs deep into the year, with break-up near late April. On the long-run averages the water opens up around late April and starts locking again about late November. The weeks after the thaw and the ones before the freeze are the strongest. It sets the rhythm of the year at Lac Gicon.

• Tackle & Baits

  There is no clear statement anywhere on who can fish it. Mapping is blank for access, so scout the approach before committing the car. Pike mean a wire trace, no exceptions; big spoons and jerkbaits do the searching. Ask in the nearest town if you are unsure. Rules for boats are stricter than rules for the bank in many places. The nearest alternative is Lac Bazet, 0.3 km out. Check the position at Lac Gicon before loading the car.