Lac Simon Fishing near Roberval, Quebec

• Overview

  Lac Simon is one of the Saguenay/Lac-Saint-Jean waters in Quebec. Height above sea level is 418 metres. At roughly 3 hectares, the whole thing is within casting reach of a single walk. On size it sits at the modest end of our Saguenay/Lac-Saint-Jean list. Roberval sits 32 km from the bank. Saint-Prime lies 34 km off, Chambord another 37 km. No boundary runs near, so the local rules hold throughout.

• Where to Fish on Lac Simon

  No depth figure has reached our records, which makes a plummet useful. Look for the band where the shallows give up and the bottom falls away. This is a lake, so the margins and the first drop matter most. Records held for Saguenay/Lac-Saint-Jean cover northern pike, Atlantic salmon, lake whitefish and fallfish. Some of the species recorded here are protected or tightly regulated, so check what may be targeted before you fish. At Lac Simon light and wind decide more than tackle does.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Seasonal averages run from -17°C in January up to 17°C in July. Winter runs most of the calendar, and everything worth doing happens in the gap. After early May the shallows warm and the fish move up. Going by climate averages, expect open water from about early May until roughly mid November. Fishing peaks soon after break-up and again before the cold returns. Keep it in mind when planning a trip to Lac Simon.

• Tackle & Baits

  Whether the bank is open is not something our records settle. No made access is recorded, so a short walk in is the likely arrangement. A wire trace and a big bright lure handle the pike; deep water asks for a heavier spoon. Sort the permit out before you load the car. Keep proof of licence with you rather than in the car. Should this one be busy, Lac du Coeur is 0.7 km off. For Lac Simon in particular, ask before you travel.