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

• Overview

  Lac Leonard falls in Saguenay/Lac-Saint-Jean, part of Quebec. Elevation runs to 455 metres. The nearest town is Normandin, 67 km away. Further out sit Albanel (67 km) and Dolbeau-Mistassini (80 km). Close by you have: Lac du Cran roughly 0.8 km, Lac Corbeau within 1.4 km, Lac de la Carpe roughly 2.6 km, Lac du Siffleux within 3.6 km and Lac a l'Ours roughly 3.9 km. The nearest boundary is well away, so one set of rules covers the water.

• Where to Fish on Lac Leonard

  Depth remains unrecorded, so treat the first session as a survey. On a natural lake the weed line and the shelf beyond it do the work. The shallow end warms first and pulls fish in ahead of the rest. County-wide records name 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. On Lac Leonard the first feature you find is usually worth a session.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Typical July readings run about 16°C; by January the average is down near -19°C. Open water arrives late and leaves early, which concentrates the fishing. Ice is part of the season here, ending near early May. Average temperatures cross freezing around early May in spring and again near mid November in autumn. The strong weeks are the first after break-up and the last before the freeze. Plan any trip to Lac Leonard around it.

• Tackle & Baits

  Nothing we hold confirms whether access is permitted. Mapping is blank for access, so scout the approach before committing the car. For the pike, wire up and throw larger lures along the weed edges. A landowner's word beats anything printed elsewhere. Some water is controlled locally without a sign saying so. The nearest alternative is Lac du Cran, 0.8 km out. For Lac Leonard in particular, ask before you travel.