Quebec Fishing Reports
In Search of DinosaursAugust 22, 2023
Gaetan & Charles joined me this morning for a mixed bag day! Winds were out of the north blowing 15 to 25 but we wanted to try for a sturgeon bite, regardless. The question was, whether or not we would be able to anchor up. Only time would tell as we ran to the area to fish!
Despite the big north, the run was actually better than I thought and I set up on a few fish after scanning the area. Although a little bouncy and twisted, I was able to see the bites and managed to catch a few fish in the time we were anchored. Unfortunately, the only sturgeon landed was a juvenile, but at least it was Charles’s first! His uncle Gaetan had been with me last year in October and fought a few really good ones. Today they were hoping for the same, but fell a little short! They did manage to catch a couple of other exotic species though, with redhorse suckers and a channel cat also landed. At least it was action!
We eventually had to pull the plug on sturgeon fishing when the winds switched NE and made the bites more difficult to see. The gobies weren’t helping either as they were nibbling all of our worms! It was definitely time to change species!
I made a long run after packing everything up and headed somewhere to fish for bass and walleye. They started with a dropshot and almost immediately were into fish. Too bad most of them came off before reaching the net! Both bass and walleye were seen from here but not the numbers I had expected. I soon changed presentations and headed even shallower!
Gaetan and Charles were now throwing soft plastics and immediately the bites were seen! Although Gaetan still had trouble keeping the bass pinned, Charles didn’t seem to have any difficulty landing his. Eventually however, both were bringing them to net!
I had remained in the area for quite a while as the fish were really biting. Unfortunately, that all came to an end when and the bites just died! It was time for another move and I headed to open water some distance away, searching for a few walleye.
The run was actually pleasant as the winds had diminished considerably. I soon arrived and set them up once again with a dropshot and began fishing. I was marking good schools of fish, but they didn’t seem to want to bite. A few walleye were landed but not the numbers I had seen. Several drifts later they called the day and we at least ended on a high. There were a few fish in the box for them to bring home to eat!
This was definitely a multi species day as many different fish were caught. The numbers were there, but not the size! Plenty of action was had by all making this a very enjoyable fishing day. Hopefully when they come back in October, the fish will be bigger and Charles will finally get to tangle with a beast. If Mother Nature cooperates, that shouldn’t be a problem. Bring on fall fishing!!
Beginners LuckAugust 16, 2023
Sean and his daughter Natasha were scheduled for an afternoon trip today, but we started earlier than expected. After a morning cancellation, they began at 10:00 instead of the usual time of 11:30. I was already on the water checking a few other areas and gladly met them at the dock at the earlier time.
Winds were out of the NE and blowing 10 to 20 kmph when we headed out, so I decided to make a long run to try and escape the waves. I figured that we would be able to fish an area somewhat sheltered from all the rough water and was right. Sean hadn’t fished in quite some time and his daughter really hadn’t fished at all. I instructed them on what to do and it wasn’t long before Natasha was hooked up. In fact, she managed to get the first 3 bass before her dad even had one! They were both dropshotting soft plastic baits and we were on fish! We focused on this area for quite a while and they both caught several fish including a few smaller walleye. When it slowed down, I decided to try even shallower and changed them up to a different technique.
A rocky flat was what they were now fishing and once again, it didn’t take long before Natasha was locked up! Her father wasn’t far behind with his first fish as well and I knew there would be plenty more. They fished the baits slowly and both had multiple bass hookups in the time we remained. Although there were no real giants landed, there was plenty of action to keep everyone happy!
With time lapsing, I decided to make another move when things slowed down. I wanted to fish an open water area before they were done. To my surprise, the winds had died off completely and now the water was flat calm. It definitely made for a smooth ride to where I wanted to go!
Natasha and her father Sean were both back on the dropshot rigs and on Sean’s first cast, he was locked up. I guess it was the right decision making the move! He had a bass that turned out to be his largest one for the day. Natasha also caught a few of her own, as well as an exotic species. She somehow managed to land a Redhorse Sucker. I usually only see these when I fish for sturgeon in the deep water. It was definitely a rare catch! Several more smallies were boated and Sean also caught a nice walleye before we were done. It was an over however and had to be released!
With the lake flat calm, we were all feeling the heat and Sean took a quick dip before we headed in. He definitely cooled off for the run back!
Today turned out to be a great one for Sean & his daughter as they both managed to catch plenty of fish in the short time we were on the water. They also learned a couple of new tricks to aid them in their future time on the water. I’m sure they will be giving fishing another try on their own and hopefully they will remember what they learned today. It was definitely a great day for fishing!!
Walleye For DinnerAugust 14, 2023
Shamlan was with his family this morning and hoping to show his kids some great fishing. All four of them were in for a real treat as the walleye were on the menu today. Hopefully as well tonight!
We headed out just after 8:30 and were into fish almost immediately. It started with his son landing a nice eye that was soon to meet the livewell. His wife also fought another to the boat that unfortunately was an over. It did make for a great double shot though!
We made several drifts with only missed fish but soon rebounded. Everyone managed to hook and fight more walleye and before we knew it, there was a limit in the livewell. A few others were also landed, that were too big and released after the pics. We continued the drifts as long as we could but by 11:30, called the day when the winds got too big. They were only scheduled for a half day as Shamlan wasn’t sure if his kids could manage a whole day. I think he got his answer and it will be different the next time around! Everyone had a great time catching fish that they will be eating tonight. Who could ask for anything more!!
Two Personal BestsAugust 13, 2023
Bob was flying solo today and spending the afternoon targeting smallies with me. A later arrival had me heading out earlier. I wanted to check some new areas before his arrival at 10:30 and managed to find good fish. Some of the walleye went into the box, but most of the fish were released. Hopefully I left plenty for later in the day!
Right on time, Bob & I headed out and made a long to a second-choice spot. My primary area had a boat on it all morning and apparently, they weren’t leaving anytime soon! This guy had seen me fishing in the middle of nowhere a while back and now acted like he owned it. I just wish people could find fish on their own instead of squatting on places they’ve seen other people fishing! This is the reason why I gave up tournament fishing!
Our run up the lake saw me finally stopping on another offshore area that at least wasn’t occupied, for now! I set Bob up with a dropshot and pointed him in the right direction. It didn’t take long before he was into the first fish and it was a dandy! He had limited experience with walleye but this one was a nice over and worthy of a few pics. The next couple of hours saw many more bass coming in the boat of all sizes along with several smaller eyes. Plenty of fish were also missed but more were landed before we changed areas. I tried shallower with some soft plastics and despite several bites, only managed a couple of small bass. Time to relocate!
The winds were starting to pick up and dark clouds were all around looking like storms were brewing. I decided to head to where I had fished earlier in the morning and see if we could get a few more bites before quitting. It was definitely the right choice as there were several bass and walleye landed before we were done. In fact, Bob managed to get his personal best in both! We ended on a high with his largest walleye of the day.
Strong E/SE winds were going to make the boat ramp a little rough, as they were blowing right in. The run back to it was also a little bumpy, but definitely doable compared to what I’ve seen lately. This day was a success overall as Bob got to learn a new technique and landed plenty of fish. I’m sure he’ll be using it again, on his own too! I may not have gotten to fish where I had originally wanted, but by having knowledge of the entire water, we were still able to find plenty of fish. Great day for fishing!!
Family Fishing DayAugust 11, 2023
Stacey and her two sons, Ayden & Louis were with me for an afternoon trip. We would be targeting bass but a possibility of other fish was also on the board! Hopefully the weather would hold out for them as thunder showers were a big possibility!
As we headed to our first location, the lake was flattening out even more than when we began. The closer we got to our spot, the calmer it got! When we arrived, it was an absolute mirror and just what I had hoped for. This would make it easier for what we were about to do.
I set up the rods with soft plastics and instructed them on what to do. They were in a great bass area and it didn’t take long before they were into fish. Although not huge, they were plentiful and everyone managed to land some. Ayden had the biggest and it was definitely worth a few pics! When things slowed, I switched up and got them into several good sturgeon as well. Too bad it was short lived as Mother Nature decided to rain on our parade, literally. The winds picked up and the clouds got darker. It was time to go!
I had made a decision to get closer to the ramp in case it got ugly and was glad I did. Thoughts of fishing were soon cancelled as thunder & lightning appeared! We were done! I only hoped that I would be able to get the boat on the trailer, before the heavy rain began.
Today was cut short by the weather but not before many good fish were landed by all. I was also lucky with the takeout as the rain only started when I was all packed up. More like a monsoon though! The drive home was out of this world! At least we had over 3 hours of great fishing before we had to call it because of the weather. The pre frontal bite was absolutely terrific! It was a great few hours of fishing this afternoon, for everyone!!