Lac Mesgouez in Nord-du-Québec: How and When to Fish It

• Overview

  Nord-du-Québec in Quebec is where Lac Mesgouez sits. It lies 305 metres above sea level. It covers about 183.20 sq km, which means weather matters as much as tactics. The bank is deeply indented, so shelter is easy to find in any wind. On our Nord-du-Québec list it sits near the top for size. For a base, Mistissini sits 142 km out. Chibougamau is 176 km and Chapais 184 km. The nearest boundary is a fair way off.

• Where to Fish on Lac Mesgouez

  Depth here is unknown, so count the lead down before committing. Where the bottom changes texture, fish gather; find that line. Weed, then depth: that is the order to fish a water of this kind. County-wide records name Arctic charr, brook trout, lake trout and lake whitefish. Species recorded across the county may be limited to a few waters. On Lac Mesgouez that means starting tight and working out.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Long-run averages give July about 16°C and January about -20°C. Open water is the exception rather than the rule here. Ice fishing carries the winter, and the water opens about mid May. Averages place the thaw at mid May and the freeze at mid November. Early summer and early autumn carry the open-water season. That is the shape of the year on Lac Mesgouez.

• Tackle & Baits

  Whether the bank is open is not something our records settle. Records list it as a natural water body rather than an impoundment. There is no mapped parking or launch close by, which usually means walking in. For the trout, small spinners and a box of nymphs cover both approaches. Take the rules with you rather than trusting memory. Access can change hands, so last year's answer may not hold. The nearest alternative is Lac La Bardeliere, 19 km out. Signs at Lac Mesgouez carry more weight than any list.