Lac Stella, Quebec: Fishing Spots and Seasons

• Overview

  Lac Stella sits within Nord-du-Québec in Quebec. The setting is taiga on every side. At 1.20 sq km this is proper open water rather than a pond. Start from Chibougamau, 25 km down the road. Then Chapais, 48 km, and Mistissini, 81 km. Also on the doorstep: Lac Philippe a shade over 2.5 km, Lac Claude lies 3.1 km on, Lac Micheline a shade over 3.2 km, Lac Roland lies 3.2 km on and Lac Jeannine a shade over 3.8 km. The nearest edge is a long way off, so local rules apply throughout.

• Where to Fish on Lac Stella

  Depth figures are not published for this one. Where the bottom changes texture, fish gather; find that line. A natural lake fishes on cover, and cover here means weed and timber. Public occurrence data for Nord-du-Québec names Arctic charr, brook trout, lake trout and lake whitefish. What holds for the county may not hold for this water. On Lac Stella that means starting tight and working out.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Typical July readings run about 16°C; by January the average is down near -19°C. The freeze holds for the better part of the year. Look for the thaw near early May; the fishing lifts straight after. Open water usually runs from early May until about mid November. The open run goes from the thaw to the freeze, and April through October covers most of it. That is the shape of the year on Lac Stella.

• Tackle & Baits

  The rules here are undocumented as far as public sources go. Access is unmapped, which usually means a farm track and a walk. Light line and small metal for the trout; a fly rod earns its place on calm evenings. Check locally before you travel, because a wasted drive is a long one. Where tickets apply, they are sold in the nearest town rather than on the bank. Failing this one, try Lac Philippe, 2.5 km away. Ask locally about Lac Stella if anything is unclear.