Best Drive-to Hotspots in Quebec, New Brunswick, Newfoundland, Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island

Looking for some new spots to fish in Quebec, New Brunswick, Newfoundland, Nova Scotia and PEI? Our guide to the best angling destinations you can reach by road has got you covered.

Quebec

Lac Albanel

• GPS: 50.882, -73.341
• 4×4 truck
• Ramp, camp, lodging
• Fish: Brook trout, lake trout, northern pike, walleye
• Why: Quebec’s second-biggest lake holds trophy fish of multiple species
• When: June; late August
• Local Info: www.sepaq.com

– Patrick Campeau

Lac Assinica

• GPS: 50.499, -75.221
• 4×4 truck
• Ramp, camp
• Fish: Walleye
• Why: A walleye paradise, far in the backcountry.
• When: June and July
• Local Info: www.sepaq.com

—P.C.

Lac Kempt

• GPS: 47.407, -74.309
• 4×4 truck
• Ramp, camp, lodging
• Fish: Lake trout, northern pike, walleye
• Why: Nice-sized fish, in a beautiful, wild setting
• When: Mid-May to early July
• Local Info: www.aubergekempt.com

—P.C.

Lac Manicouagan

• GPS: 51.295, -68.267
• 4×4 truck
• Ramp, camp, lodging
• Fish: Lake trout, landlocked Arctic char, landlocked salmon, northern pike
• Why: A flooded reservoir with great potential for large salmon
• When: May and June
• Local Info: www.pourvoirierelaisgabriel.com

—P.C.

Lac Mistassini

• GPS: 50.894, -73.691
• 4×4 truck
• Ramp, camp, lodging
• Fish: Brook trout, lake trout, northern pike, walleye
• Why: Quebec’s largest natural lake has brook trout, lakers and pike
• When: Mid-June to mid-July
• Local Info: www.creetourism.ca

—P.C.

Lac Waconichi

• GPS: 50.144, -74.004
• Ramp, camp, lodging
• Fish: Brook trout, lake trout, northern pike
• Why: An incredible landscape, with truly great trout fishing
• When: June and July
• Local Info: www.sepaq.ca

—P.C.

Réservoir de Caniapiscau

• GPS: 54.148, -69.863
• 4×4 truck
• Ramp, lodging
• Fish: Lake trout
• Why: Huge numbers of lakers averaging eight to 15 pounds
• When: July and August
• Local Info: www.jackhumeadventures.com

—P.C.

Réservoir Gouin

• GPS: 48.570, -74.659
• Ramp, camp, lodging
• Fish: Northern pike, walleye
• Why: Many pike and walleye, a seven-hour drive from Montreal
• When: Mid-May to late June
• Local Info: www.barragegouin.com

—P.C.

Réservoir La Grande-4

• GPS: 53.900, -73.319
• 4×4 truck
• Ramp, lodging
• Fish: Brook trout, northern pike
• Why: A hydro reservoir, with brookies topping eight pounds, and a huge pike population
• When: June and July
• Local Info: www.mirageaventure.com

—P.C.

New Brunswick

Cains River

• GPS: 46.654, -65.763
• Camp, lodging
• Fish: Atlantic salmon, sea-run brook trout
• Why: A small river, renowned for both its trout and salmon fishing
• When: June (trout); fall (salmon)
• Local Info: www.wilsonscamps.nb.ca

—Paul Marriner

Wheaton Lake

• GPS: 45.162, -66.995
• Camp, lodging
• Fish: Smallmouth bass, white perch
• Why: Good-sized smallmouth in a lightly fished lake
• When: June through October
• Local Info: www.northernoutdoorlodge.com

—P.M.

Nepisiguit River

• GPS: 47.500, -65.681
• 4×4 truck
• Camp, lodging
• Fish: Atlantic salmon, brook trout
• Why: Extensive public salmon water with large brookies in the upper section
• When: June to October
• Local Info: www.tourismnewbrunswick.ca

—P.M.

Nova Scotia

Mersey River

• GPS: 44.328, -65.199
• Camp, lodging
• Fish: Brook trout
• Why: Good access, with plenty of trout below Eel Wier in Kejimkujik Park; great for young fly anglers
• When: May and June
• Local Info: www.milfordhouse.ca

—P.M.

Ronnie’s Lake

• GPS: 46.339, -60.951
• Lodging
• Fish: Brook trout
• Why: A wadable lake in the Cape Breton Highlands with small, but numerous trout
• When: Late May and June
• Local Info: www.thenormawayinn.com

—P.M.

Salmon River

• GPS: 45.351844, -61.501511
• Ramp, camp, lodging
• Fish: Atlantic salmon, sea-run brown trout
• Why: Large trout and the occasional salmon near the village of Guysborough
• When: June and August
• Local Info: www.rivermagic.ca

—P.M.

Prince Edward Island

Gulf of St. Lawrence

• GPS: 46.469, -62.068
• Ramp, camp, lodging
• Fish: Bluefin tuna
• Why: Charters from North Lake offer a unique chance to catch these enormous fish with rod and reel
• When: August
• Local Info: www.tonystunafishing.com

—P.M.

Winter River

• GPS: 46.358, -63.066
• Camp, lodging
• Fish: Brook trout (resident and sea-run)
• Why: Good trout fishing in vacation country
• When: July
• Local Info: www.goingfishing.ca

—P.M.

Fortune River

• GPS: 46.351, -62.425
• Ramp, camp, lodging
• Fish: rainbow trout, sea-run brook trout
• Why: Quiet, scenic area with the possibility of large trout
• When: June and July
• Local Info: www.tourismpei.com

—P.M.

Newfoundland & Labrador

Fox Ponds

• GPS: 47.390, -53.392
• Camp, lodging
• Fish: Brook trout, brown trout, land-locked salmon
• Why: Great spot for a family outing, with a wilderness feel
• When: Mid-may to mid-June
• Local Info: www.newfoundlandlabrador.com

— Darrin McGrath

Main River

• GPS: 49.781, -56.925
• 4×4 truck
• Camp, lodging
• Fish: Atlantic salmon
• Why: Amazing fishing and backpack camping at the Sunshine Pool
• When: Mid-June to mid-July
• Local Info: www.arlukoutfitters.com

—Paul Smith

Salmon Cove River

• GPS: 47.781, -53.166
• Ramp, camp, lodging
• Fish: Sea-run brown trout
• Why: Monster Conception Bay trout over 30 pounds, only an hour outside St. John’s.
• When: April and May
• Local Info: www.newfoundlandlabrador.com

—P.S.

Ten Mile Lake

• GPS: 51.122, -56.652
• 4×4 truck
• Camp, lodging
• Fish: Brook trout
• Why: Catch very big trout amid the Great Northern Peninsula’s stunning scenery
• When: June 1 to July 15
• Local Info: www.newfoundlandlabrador.com

—P.S.

Waterford River

• GPS: 47.542, -52.725
• Camp, lodging
• Fish: Sea-run brown trout
• Why: An incredible density of trout, with spectacular winter nymph fishing, right in St. John’s
• When: February to October
• Local Info: www.bluecharm.ca

—P.S.