Lac la Botte, Quebec: Fishing Spots and Seasons

• Overview

  Lac la Botte lies in Nord-du-Québec, in Quebec. The setting is taiga on every side. Around 38 hectares of surface means several distinct areas to work. The full circuit measures close to 3.8 km on foot. 29 km away sits Chapais, the nearest town. Chibougamau lies 56 km off, Waswanipi another 78 km. Others within reach: Lac Louis 2.6 km away, Lac de la Chaleur at 2.7 km, Lac de la Sentinelle Solitaire 4.8 km away, Lac Shamrock at 4.9 km and Lac Normandie 6.4 km away. No border sits close enough to matter.

• Where to Fish on Lac la Botte

  Depth is unknown to us, and the shoreline is the better guide. A soft bed grows weed late into autumn, which keeps fish shallow. A natural lake fishes on cover, and cover here means weed and timber. Open biodiversity records for Nord-du-Québec list Arctic charr, brook trout, lake trout, lake whitefish and cisco. The county list is broader than any single water. On Lac la Botte a short move beats a long cast.

• Seasonal Patterns

  In an average year July sits at 16°C and January at -20°C. The season is measured in weeks rather than months. Ice-out usually falls in early May, and the weeks after it fish hardest. Ice usually gives way near early May, and forms again about mid November. Just after the ice goes and just before it returns, the fishing lifts. Keep it in mind when planning a trip to Lac la Botte.

• Tackle & Baits

  Nothing on record says whether the bank is open or closed. This is a natural basin, not a dammed one. Formal access is not mapped, so the last stretch is likely on foot. For the trout, small spinners and a box of nymphs cover both approaches. Take the rules with you rather than trusting memory. Where the way in crosses private ground, ask first. The nearest alternative is Lac Louis, 2.6 km out. The position on Lac la Botte is worth confirming on the day.