Lac Philippe, Quebec: Fishing Spots and Seasons

• Overview

  Lac Philippe is one of the Nord-du-Québec listings for Quebec. Elevation runs to 412 metres. Around 15 hectares of surface means several distinct areas to work. The edge runs 2.5 km or so, easy to work in an afternoon. Our Nord-du-Québec list holds plenty of bigger water. Chibougamau at 28 km is the nearest place to stop. Then Chapais, 50 km, and Mistissini, 82 km. One jurisdiction covers this water end to end.

• Where to Fish on Lac Philippe

  Depth is not on record here, so the bank has to tell you. Bays and points beat straight shoreline every time on water like this. Look for the band where the shallows give up and the bottom falls away. Reported across Nord-du-Québec: Arctic charr, brook trout, lake trout and lake whitefish. Take it as the county picture rather than a promise for this water. Lac Philippe responds to conditions more than to tactics.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Temperature averages peak at 16°C in July and bottom out at -19°C in January. Water stays cold even at the height of the year. Firm cover through the cold months, then open water from early May. Expect the water usable from around early May until roughly mid November. Look to early summer and the first cool weeks of autumn. That is the shape of the year on Lac Philippe.

• Tackle & Baits

  The paperwork position is blank for this one. No dam controls it, and the level follows the season. No car park, ramp or path is recorded within easy reach of the shore. Trout here take small spinners, spoons and, where fly water allows, a nymph or dry. Gates get locked out of season on water like this. Where the way in crosses private ground, ask first. Lac Roland at 0.9 km is the sensible second choice. Check the position at Lac Philippe before loading the car.