“Are they biting?” – A Fishing Story from Abitibi-Témiscamingue
May 15, 2026
In early May, you can start to sense that fishing season is about to open; it doesn’t smell like fish yet, but it’s coming.
In Abitibi-Témiscamingue, you don’t need a yacht to enjoy fishing. Here, we welcome everyone.
Whether you’re in a rowboat on Lake Duparquet, on a pontoon boat on the Kanasuta, in a fully equipped fishing boat with your LiveScope on the Kipawa, or simply at the end of the dock at the cottage or on the pier in Mont-Brun.
There’s always a spot where you can cast your line and hope to hook a nice walleye or a pike that’ll give you a good fight.
Fishing: Mindset or Strategy
Fishing isn’t just about technique. Honestly, I’m not really that good at it, and I don’t always keep an eye on my line either… I’m a little lacking in discipline.
It’s more about my mindset shifting into fishing mode. I just love taking the time to observe nature, to listen to the loons. Being in the boat at sunrise, savoring that moment, and telling myself every time: “Wow, I’m so lucky to be able to do this, right here at home in Abitibi-Témiscamingue!”
And while I’m “chilling” and taking my role as co-pilot lightly, there’s my boyfriend. He’s the strategic one.
Fishing is important, and it’s really, really serious. He’s trying to find THE spot, the right depth based on the water temperature, the right jig color—or maybe it would be better with a worm rig. He’s looking for all the perfect elements to land the catch of a lifetime… even though, technically, she’s already sitting in the boat with him!
“He’s looking for all the perfect elements to land the catch of a lifetime… even though, technically, she’s already sitting in the boat with him!”
- Nancy Leblond
Seeing that he takes his role as a fisherman almost more seriously than raising our kids makes me smile. He’s a real sportsman. As for me, I hand him my line so he can rig it with the new lure (he calls it a “gugusse”—he’s allowed to) and I serve as his guinea pig. Go ahead, try out all that gear—I’m living my best life.
On the other hand, despite my lack of dedication and effort when it comes to luring the fish, I really get a kick out of it when they bite. When the feeling of hooking a fish gives you a little “hummppppph” in your stomach and you can’t wait to see it come out, it’s like an accomplishment (I’m barely exaggerating).
Coming back from a fishing trip with fish is always fun, but it’s even better when you’ve spent a beautiful day in nature with people you love.
There’s also a great selection of outfitters ready to welcome you, guide you, and make your life easier.
Before you head out fishing
That’s all well and good—it’s accessible and easy—but there are still a few things you should know:
- You don’t need a state-of-the-art fishing rod, but once you’re on the water, make sure to wear your life jacket
- Always let someone know your itinerary and your expected return time, and don’t forget to check the weather before you go
- Don’t leave without your license, and check the catch limits and minimum sizes for permitted species. These can vary depending on the area (SEPAQ/ZEC) and the lake you’re on. You can find all this information here: Check the regulations
- Finally, I know you already do this, but take care of nature so we can enjoy it for a long time to come. To do that, you also need to wash your boat. Check the list of boat wash stations