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Species: Bass, Perch, Salmon, Trout, Walleye/Pickerel
Coordinates: 45°05′N 72°17′W
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Location: Quebec
Surface area: 102 km²
Why we chose it:
In 2012, ranked #25 in all-time hot spots
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Long, narrow and deep, Memphrémagog straddles the U.S. border, with three-quarters of the lake in Quebec and the southern tip in Vermont. You have to feel some l’amour for a lake that promises a veritable smorgasbord of great fishing, especially when it’s just an hour’s drive east of Montreal. While the plentiful trout and chunky landlocked salmon get most of the attention, Memphrémagog’s bassing is good enough to attract major tournaments.
In 2010, Atlantic salmon (land-locked); Good numbers of fish
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When to fish: Ice-out is best.
Where to fish: Key in on sandbars and dropoffs near Vale Perkins.
Tip: Troll Mooselook spoons or small streamers.
Lake trout; Good urban fishing
When to fish: Action is consistent throughout the season.
Where to fish: Near Vale Perkins, work the shallows in spring, and the lake bottom as the season progresses; also jig sand and gravel bars.
Tip: Troll small cranks near the surface in the spring. Later in the season, use spoons or jig with Berkley Power Grubs or bucktail jigs.
—Marc Thorpe, walleye and muskie guide based in Terrebonne, Quebec, tournament angler and pro staffer with Princecraft
In 2009, Largemouth bass; Large fish
When to fish: July is best.
Where to fish: Stick to Fitch Bay and key in on heavy cover.
Tip: Flip Power Lizards or burn a frog on heavyweight baitcasting gear.
—Anthony Badham, Quebec/Maritimes Territory Manager at Pure Fishing Canada
Lake trout; A healthy population of big fish averaging six-plus pounds
When to fish: All season.
Where to fish: Work the sandbar mid-lake off Owls Head Mountain.
Tip: Slow troll just off bottom with Williams Dartee or Mooselook spoons, or work along the bottom with leadcore and streamers.
Landlocked Atlantic salmon; The chance for a record-class fish
When to fish: Late June to early August.
Where to fish: Fish the foot of Owls Head Mountain at the sandbar, and deeper as the season goes on.
Tip: Quickly troll spoons, such as the Mooselook 140 or 160 series and the Williams Dartee, or streamers behind dodgers.
Rainbow trout; Good numbers of average-sized fish
When to fish: June through August.
Where to fish: Early in the season, fish are dispersed all over the lake; later in the season, fish mid-lake over or adjacent to deep water.
Tip: Quickly troll spoons, such as the Mooselook 140 or 160 series and the Williams Dartee, or streamers behind dodgers.
Smallmouth bass; Good numbers of solid fish
When to fish: Late June through July is prime.
Where to fish: Focus on weedlines, points and rocky structures.
Tip: Drop-shot Mister Twister Mister Minos or Exude Comidas, Texas-rig Mister Twister night crawlers or cast silver #3 Mepps Aglias.
—Mark Stiffel, vice-president of marketing at Brecks International
In 2008, Smallmouth bass; Great numbers of big fish, nice scenery and easy access
When to fish: Mid-June to early July.
Where to fish: Shallow, rocky shorelines.
Tip: Cast chuggers, poppers or prop baits, or tubes on light spinning gear.
—Ray Carignan, host of Outdoor Passion