Lac Lemay Fishing Guide, Abitibi-Témiscamingue, Quebec

• Overview

  Lac Lemay falls in Abitibi-Témiscamingue, part of Quebec. The surroundings are mixed forest. The water covers some 80 hectares, so pick a bank rather than trying to cover it all. Size puts it in the front rank of our Abitibi-Témiscamingue list. The town to know is Malartic, 30 km out. After that come Val-d'Or at 40 km and Rouyn-Noranda at 72 km. The county line is nowhere near, so one local authority covers the water.

• Where to Fish on Lac Lemay

  No figure exists for depth, so let the water show you. Weed, then depth: that is the order to fish a water of this kind. A natural lake fishes on cover, and cover here means weed and timber. Open biodiversity records for Abitibi-Témiscamingue list northern pike, yellow perch, walleye and white sucker. These are county-wide records, so not all of them will be in this water. On Lac Lemay a short move beats a long cast.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Expect July to average close to 17°C, with January the cold end at about -16°C. Four clear seasons, with a proper winter at one end. The lid usually sets by midwinter and gives way around early May. From about early May to around mid November, expect open water on the long-run figures. Early summer and early autumn carry the open-water season. On Lac Lemay that shapes the whole year.

• Tackle & Baits

  Whether the bank is open is not something our records settle. This is a natural basin, not a dammed one. Access is unmapped, which usually means a farm track and a walk. For the pike, wire up and throw larger lures along the weed edges. Local rules can differ across the county line, so check where you stand. Rules for boats are stricter than rules for the bank in many places. For a change of water, Petit lac Beraud is 2.8 km distant. Check the position at Lac Lemay before loading the car.