Fishing at Lac Gobeil, Saguenay/Lac-Saint-Jean, Quebec

• Overview

  The Saguenay/Lac-Saint-Jean end of Quebec holds Lac Gobeil. The land about it is taiga. At 2 hectares it is the sort of place you fish for an evening rather than a day. On size it sits at the modest end of our Saguenay/Lac-Saint-Jean list. Start from Saint-Honoré, 26 km down the road. After that come Saint-Fulgence at 30 km and Chicoutimi at 36 km. One jurisdiction covers this water end to end.

• Where to Fish on Lac Gobeil

  Nothing in our records gives a depth for this one. Still water like this holds fish on the edges rather than out in the open. A soft bed grows weed late into autumn, which keeps fish shallow. Fish documented in Saguenay/Lac-Saint-Jean include northern pike, Atlantic salmon, lake whitefish and fallfish. At least one recorded species is protected in parts of its range; read the local rules before targeting anything. Fish Lac Gobeil where the bottom changes rather than where it looks deep.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Expect July near 15°C and January near -18°C on the long-run figures. This far north the hard season runs and runs. Winter fishing happens on the ice here, with open water back around mid May. The lid tends to go about mid May and return around early November. From the thaw to midsummer the fishing improves week by week. Lac Gobeil runs to that rhythm year in and year out.

• Tackle & Baits

  The paperwork position is blank for this one. Access points are not mapped for this water, which suits people who like quiet. For the pike, wire up and throw larger lures along the weed edges. Where a permit is needed, the nearest town usually sells it. Some ground is open by custom rather than by right, so tread carefully. Failing this one, try Lac Francois, 0.7 km away. Check the position on Lac Gobeil before loading the car.