Fishing at Lac Stella, Abitibi-Témiscamingue, Quebec

• Overview

  Lac Stella belongs to Abitibi-Témiscamingue, Quebec. The water sits 434 metres up. Roughly 19 hectares: a morning covers one end, an afternoon the other. The edge runs 1.8 km or so, easy to work in an afternoon. Senneterre lies 109 km from the water. Gatineau is the closest city, 296 km away. Others worth noting: Lac Masson at about 2.2 km, Lac Elie (2.8 km), Lac Choiseul at about 3.1 km, Lac Castor (3.2 km) and Lac Lise at about 3.2 km. The nearest edge is a long way off, so local rules apply throughout.

• Where to Fish on Lac Stella

  Depth is unknown to us, and the shoreline is the better guide. A natural lake fishes on cover, and cover here means weed and timber. A soft bed grows weed late into autumn, which keeps fish shallow. Records held for Abitibi-Témiscamingue cover northern pike, yellow perch, walleye, white sucker and brown bullhead. It is the county picture; the agency list is water-specific. Fish Lac Stella to its features, not to its size.

• Seasonal Patterns

  July is the warm end of the year here, averaging about 16°C, while January sits near -18°C. Winter owns most of the year at this latitude. Ice-out usually falls in early May, and the weeks after it fish hardest. The lid tends to go about early May and return around mid November. From the thaw to midsummer the fishing improves week by week. Time your trip to Lac Stella by conditions rather than dates.

• Tackle & Baits

  We hold no note on access for this one. No dam controls it, and the level follows the season. Mapping is blank for access, so scout the approach before committing the car. For the pike, wire up and throw larger lures along the weed edges. Where the road in crosses private land, ask first. Check whether bait restrictions apply before you buy any. Lac Masson at 2.2 km is the sensible second choice. Rules at Lac Stella are worth checking on the day.