Fishing Lac Pace in Nord-du-Québec, Quebec

• Overview

  Nord-du-Québec, Quebec, is where Lac Pace sits. The country here is taiga. The nearest town is Chibougamau, 44 km away. Saguenay is the closest city, 265 km away. Near neighbours include: Lac Cabanac the better part of 0.8 km, Lac Salbris within 1.3 km, Lac Echenay the better part of 1.7 km, Lac Octon within 1.7 km and Lac des Nacerdes the better part of 2.4 km. It sits well inside its county, with no border complications.

• Where to Fish on Lac Pace

  Depth remains unrecorded, so treat the first session as a survey. Weed, then depth: that is the order to fish a water of this kind. The productive water is a rod length or two out, not a hundred. Across Nord-du-Québec, recorded fish include Arctic charr, brook trout, lake trout, lake whitefish and cisco. Records at this level tell you what is in the area. Anyone new to Lac Pace should walk it once before setting up.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Averages here run 16°C at the top of summer and -19°C at the bottom of winter. This far north the hard season runs and runs. The lid usually sets by midwinter and gives way around early May. The open-water window runs from around early May to about mid November in an average year. The strongest runs come at either end of the open season. It holds true on Lac Pace more years than not.

• Tackle & Baits

  Nothing we hold confirms whether access is permitted. We find no slipway, car park or made path within a short radius, so treat access as rough. For the trout, small spinners and a box of nymphs cover both approaches. Look for a notice board at the entrance. Where tickets apply, they are sold in the nearest town rather than on the bank. Should this one be busy, Lac Cabanac is 0.8 km off. Check the position at Lac Pace before loading the car.