Lac Meride Fishing Guide, Saguenay/Lac-Saint-Jean, Quebec

• Overview

  The Saguenay/Lac-Saint-Jean entry here is Lac Meride, in Quebec. The water sits 511 metres up. It sits higher than most water we list in Quebec. The nearest place of any size is Labrecque, 25 km away. Saint-Ambroise lies 31 km off, L'Ascension-de-Notre-Seigneur another 32 km. Also worth knowing: Lac Michel near enough 1 km, 1 km out stands Lac Jeannot, Lac Lorenzo near enough 1.4 km, 1.5 km out stands Lac Antonio and Lac Benoit near enough 1.5 km. No border sits close enough to matter.

• Where to Fish on Lac Meride

  There is no published depth for this one, so start shallow and work out. On a natural lake the weed line and the shelf beyond it do the work. Read the surface for the wind lane, then fish the edge of it. Saguenay/Lac-Saint-Jean records list northern pike, Atlantic salmon and lake whitefish among the fish reported. Several of these carry legal protection or closed seasons; the rulebook comes before the rod. Work Lac Meride in sections rather than trying to cover it.

• Seasonal Patterns

  July runs about 16°C on average, January about -18°C. A short, intense season is the rule this far north. Ice-out usually falls in early May, and the weeks after it fish hardest. Break-up near early May, freeze-up near mid November: that is the shape of an average year. The first weeks of open water and the last are the ones to plan for. Keep it in mind when planning a trip to Lac Meride.

• Tackle & Baits

  We have no record of the rules that apply on this bank. No car park, ramp or path is recorded within easy reach of the shore. For the pike, wire up and throw larger lures along the weed edges. Look for a notice board at the entrance. Signs go up and come down, so check on the day. Lac Michel at 1 km is the sensible second choice. Treat Lac Meride as unsettled until someone local tells you otherwise.