Fishing at Lac Linon, Abitibi-Témiscamingue, Quebec

• Overview

  This water sits in Abitibi-Témiscamingue, Quebec. It sits in pine and birch country. Small at around 8 hectares: two anglers spread out cover most of it. The nearest town is Val-d'Or, 99 km away. The big place round here is Gatineau, 233 km distant. Close by you have: Lac Virton lies 0.7 km on, Lac Camitogama at 1.3 km, Lac Rimbert lies 1.4 km on, Lac Draisine at 2 km and Lac Alene lies 2.6 km on. No boundary runs near, so the local rules hold throughout.

• Where to Fish on Lac Linon

  Without a survey to go on, judge depth from how the bank falls away. The shallow end warms first and pulls fish in ahead of the rest. Still water like this holds fish on the edges rather than out in the open. Records held for Abitibi-Témiscamingue cover northern pike, yellow perch and walleye. The list covers the county rather than this water alone, so treat it as a guide. Lac Linon fishes better once you know its edges.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Expect July near 17°C and January near -16°C on the long-run figures. Winter shuts things down for a spell, then spring reopens them fast. Once it clears, about early May, the fishing comes on quickly. Break-up near early May, freeze-up near late November: that is the shape of an average year. Late spring and early autumn carry the year between them. On Lac Linon the same rules apply, with local timing.

• Tackle & Baits

  Ownership and access are not documented in what we hold. You can camp 1.1 km off, which suits an early start. For the pike, wire up and throw larger lures along the weed edges. Check whether a boat is allowed before you tow one. Access can change hands, so last year's answer may not hold. Lac Virton, 0.7 km away, makes the obvious fallback. For Lac Linon, the notice at the access point is the final word.