Lac Long Fishing near Waskaganish, Quebec

• Overview

  In Quebec, Lac Long falls inside Nord-du-Québec. It lies 271 metres above sea level. This is sizeable water at about 5.08 sq km, and a boat opens up most of it. Shoreline length is close to 22 km, and each section fishes a little differently. By size it stands out even at Quebec level. For a base, Waskaganish sits 188 km out. After that come Mistissini at 194 km and Waswanipi at 197 km. The county line is nowhere near, so one local authority covers the water.

• Where to Fish on Lac Long

  No figure exists for depth, so let the water show you. Still water like this holds fish on the edges rather than out in the open. Where the bottom changes texture, fish gather; find that line. Nord-du-Québec records list Arctic charr, brook trout, lake trout, lake whitefish and cisco among the fish reported. These are county-wide records, so not all of them will be in this water. Fish Lac Long where the bottom changes rather than where it looks deep.

• Seasonal Patterns

  The range across the year is -20°C to 15°C. The year here is short and sharp: a long lid, then a burst of open water. Winter locks it down, and mid May brings it back. The water is typically free of ice between mid May and mid November. Reckon on open water from spring through to late autumn, with May and June the strongest. Time your trip to Lac Long by conditions rather than dates.

• Tackle & Baits

  The paperwork position is blank for this one. Records list it as a natural water body rather than an impoundment. The map shows no ramp or car park nearby, so this is a walk-in water. Trout here take small spinners, spoons and, where fly water allows, a nymph or dry. Parking is often the real limit rather than the bank itself. Access can change hands, so last year's answer may not hold. Lac Rond, 7.6 km away, makes the obvious fallback. Rules at Lac Long are worth checking on the day.