Fishing at Lac Souste, Saguenay/Lac-Saint-Jean, Quebec

• Overview

  Quebec holds Lac Souste, in Saguenay/Lac-Saint-Jean. The bank gives way to boreal forest. With some 10 hectares of water, there is room for a boat but no need of one. Shoreline comes to about 2.3 km, small enough to learn in a day. Chibougamau lies 83 km from the water. Then Normandin, 97 km, and Albanel, 98 km. Also within reach: Lac Darle 1 km away, Lac Barc at 1.7 km, Lac Cais 1.9 km away, Lac Botz at 2 km and Lac Quievermon 2.2 km away. It lies deep inside the county rather than near an edge.

• Where to Fish on Lac Souste

  Nothing in our records gives a depth for this one. Weed, then depth: that is the order to fish a water of this kind. A natural lake fishes on cover, and cover here means weed and timber. Fish documented in Saguenay/Lac-Saint-Jean include northern pike, Atlantic salmon, lake whitefish and fallfish. At least one recorded species is protected in parts of its range; read the local rules before targeting anything. The shape of Lac Souste decides where the fish sit.

• Seasonal Patterns

  The warmest month averages 16°C, the coldest about -19°C. Open water arrives late and leaves early, which concentrates the fishing. The open season starts with the thaw, near enough early May. On average, early May opens the water and mid November closes it again. The strongest runs come at either end of the open season. On Lac Souste the same rules apply, with local timing.

• Tackle & Baits

  Our records carry no access rule either way. This is a natural basin, not a dammed one. Nothing is mapped in the way of a ramp or car park within a short radius. For the pike, wire up and throw larger lures along the weed edges. Check whether a boat is allowed before you tow one. Close seasons apply to some species and not others. Lac Darle at 1 km is the sensible second choice. Where Lac Souste is concerned, a local answer beats a written one.