Our beautiful province is considered a fishing paradise in spring and summer. In winter this paradise turns into a fantastic Eden.
• Also read: Everything for everybody
With our 3.6 million bodies of water, there is no shortage of choice. We dress warmly and set off on an adventure while the ice is safe to try to catch beautiful specimens to brighten up our table or to return to the water. To help you find your way, I enlisted the services of specialist David Vadnais, who takes part in more than 25 excursions a year. This nice guy was kind enough to point out to the Journal's readers specific locations where there will be no shortage of action for La Belle Province's four most popular species.
For the gold
Saint Lawrence River: If the sea route is frozen and safe, you can fish for yellow fish near the Jacques Cartier Bridge. You can park at the end of Rue Pierre-Dupuy in Longueuil. You can also go to the bay, which is behind the Longueuil Nautical Club. This flat, current-free area attracts beautiful bass. There are parking spaces in Marie-Victorin Park.
Lake Saint Louis: This widening of the St. Lawrence River is a real magnet for walleye, especially in the corner between Dorion and Beauharnois. You can outwit many fish along the flats and near the many shallows. The CR Fishing Center and the Beauharnois Nautical Center offer good access routes.
Yamaska River: This 160 km long watercourse originates in Brome Lake. Fishing for zander is possible in several communities. In the towns of Saint-Césaire, Saint-Damase and Saint-Hyacinthe you can park there and go on the ice. The mouths of streams and the edges of pits are good areas for use.
Lake of Two Mountains: Located about forty kilometers from Montreal, this widening of the Ottawa River is home to a beautiful population of walleye. Try your luck in Indian Bay. Several structures are interesting for the targeted control of percids.
Lake Saint Pierre: This river lake, with an area of about 500 square kilometers, is one of the most famous rivers for walleye fishing. This flat area with very large plateaus and few underwater structures regularly produces good results. When finding shoals, cover as much area as possible so you don't miss any of the action. The areas around Île de Grâce and Île Ronde offer many promising structures to explore.
For the perch
Lake Champlain: There are five fishing centers in Missisquoi Bay that offer a variety of yellow perch fishing services. This small fish is found everywhere in the bay. To find it successfully, you need to be mobile. Pig Island near the border is a popular location for this species.
Yamaska Park: Ice fishing is possible at this state corporation park near Granby. There are many yellow perch in the Choinière reservoir. Various packages are offered.
Lake Memphremagog: Yellow perch are everywhere in Magog Bay. You can park at Des Cantons Beach or at Pointe-Merry Park in Magog. It is also possible to head to Cedarville in the southern part of the lake to catch some nice small fish. Parking is available all winter long.
Brome Lake: This waterway is not known to support a large population of yellow perch. However, they are found almost everywhere in flat areas. In the dead of winter they sometimes migrate to a depth of 10 meters in the water column. Access is via Douglass Beach in Knowlton.
Lac Simon: Located in Saint-Léonard-de-Portneuf, the Center Vacances Lac-Simon offers the opportunity to go to this magnificent lake and take advantage of its offers. Remember that one of the largest bass caught while ice fishing in Quebec comes from this spot.
For the pike
Saint Lawrence River: The Contrecœur region is known for predator fishing. You can target this predator with its large teeth in bays and shallow areas. You can access it through the reception of the Contrecœur hunting and fishing association.
Lake Champlain: This body of water, particularly in Missisquoi Bay, is home to an incredible pike population. If you target them with large baits, you will definitely succeed.
Lake of Two Mountains: This widening of the Ottawa River is very shallow. Ice fishing for wolverines is excellent near the many bays. Access is via the Sainte-Marthe DT fishing center. Since it's in a bay, there can be some good fights there.
For the crappie
Ottawa River: This gigantic leaf supports beautiful populations in most of its bays. Pits are often a guarantee of success! Sonar is highly recommended for detecting suspended crappie.
Lake Champlain: Missisquoi Bay is huge. To target and catch these little calicoes, as some call them, head to the Île aux Cochons area – especially in March.
Richelieu River: There is black dung in several places of this beautiful body of water. The best fishing spots are the canals of Saint-Paul-de-l'Île-aux-Noix.
It is very pleasant to pull out the black crappie from under the frozen crust. David Vadnais shares good productive places to engage with this species. Photo provided by Patrick Campeau
► I invite you to follow me Facebook.