The Adventure Starts Here

Quebec Iles de Sorel

Bob Nudd

…on Iles de Sorel

“Iles de Sorel is one of the most amazing locations I have ever fished. Before opening into Lac St-Pierre, the St Lawrence branches out into many channels, with bays, backwaters and reed-fringed margins amongst the islands, providing depths of 3 to 40 feet. Carp were rising in the early morning and evening almost as far as the eye could see. On warm spring days, hundreds of big carp were splashing in the margins ahead of spawning.

As this was a totally new venue, never before carp fished, we baited and fished lots of different areas. We caught carp in every swim we pre-baited; fat fish in mint condition.

A huge feeding shoal close to our cottage, in a large shallow backwater, produced fourteen fish in just three hours, the biggest tipping the scales at 32 pounds, with a good number of high twenties. Our method was very simple, fishing 4 or 5 grains of boiled maize, and feeding frequently.

There are fish well over forty pounds here; huge shoals of quality carp. The potential is as good as I have seen anywhere in Canada.”

Bob Nudd

Island Cottages and Cabins

This excellent and well-managed centre owned by Safari Nordik has a marina restaurant, and rustic waterside cottages, mainly on private islands only accessible by boat.

Le Confluent is typical of the cottages here, offering comfortable but basic self-catering accommodation and some of the most exclusive carp fishing imaginable, available only to Anglers World clients. Cottages sleep from two to six people, all accommodation is around 5 to 10 minutes by boat from the main marina, its shop and informal bistro/restaurant where guests can take excellent value breakfasts, lunches and dinners - it’s good country style Canadian food.

There are no towns or nightlife nearby – if you come to Lac St-Pierre, it’s for a serious fishing and relaxing holiday away from the pressures of everyday life. Boat hire is essential to access the cottages and for fishing. Various boat sizes are available, with outboards from 10 to 50hp.

Watercraft

Carp fishing here is like the rest of Canada; it’s a simple case of pre baiting swims with boiled maize and wheat and fishing with 2 to 5 grains of boiled maize on a hair rig. Simple in-line leger tactics work best. Sometimes you get screaming runs, but more often than not it’s just a slight indication. Frequent feeding is critical.

As temperatures change through the seasons these carp move around, so fish location is important. In late May and June we have caught in the shallower margins, around 3 to 6 feet deep. In summer, the big carp shoals seek out cooler, deeper water and our best catches have come from moving water around 10 to 15 foot in depth.

Our best sessions have produced around thirty carp, mainly twenties with a few fish into the mid thirties.

Carp Fishing Locations Within Quebec Iles de Sorel

Le Confluent

Le Confluent is a rustic, comfortably furnished, 100 year old house divided into two self-contained units. Each has two bedrooms (the smaller unit sleeps two, and the larger up to four) and a shower/WC. They have open plan lounge, dining, kitchen areas with a wood burning stove, verandas, barbeques and gardens running down to the river with a couple of carp swims. Kitchen utensils, duvets and sheets are provided, but bring your own towels. Other cottages sleep from two to six. Accommodation is generally from Sunday to Sunday, for 7 or 14 nights.

Fishing licences and bait are sold at the marina, plus food, drinks, and boat fuel.

Licences

About £30. Can be arranged to be waiting for you.

Rod Rule

One per person. You don't need more!

Bait

Pre-boiled maize for feed and bait is available from the marina - a great service. Pay in resort.

Flights

Charter flights (Gatwick to Montreal, Sunday to Sunday) are excellent value. Baggage allowance is 20 kilos plus 10 kilos tackle and 7 kilos hand luggage. Schedule flights (daily from Heathrow to Montreal) offer more flexibility and a 60 kilos baggage allowance plus hand luggage.