One of my favourite fishing haunts is the Fairmont Kenauk in Montebello. Besides being one of the oldest hunting and fishing preserves in North America, Kenauk has some of the best quality trout fishing and accommodations anywhere in the world!
And since it is completely private and self-managed, Kenauk has the privilege of stretching the seasons a bit. This year – with the unseasonably warm weather and early thaw – the Montebello-area trout fishery will be opening its trout lakes on April 16th – the earliest season opener in the club’s history, and welcomed news for trouters looking for a jump on the season.
Me with a nice looking Kenauk brook trout:
With their own full functioning trout hatchery, Kenauk keeps all their lakes stocked with spunky, well-managed strains of brook trout, rainbow trout, brown trout and splake.
My girls checking out the fish at the hatchery:
I have stayed in many different chalets over the years and I must say they are all top notch. Fairmont Kenauk boasts both quality and seclusion…as most chalets are located on their own private lake.
A typical Kenauk Chalet:
Thanks to the ongoing efforts of General Manager Bill Nowell and his staff, Fairmont Kenauk remains one of the top trout destinations around. Not only is Bill GM, he is also manager of recreation and fisheries, a biologist and an accomplished fly-fisherman in his own right.
The best part about Kenauk for me, above all else, is the fact that this magnificent slice of heaven is a mere 40 minutes from my home and has everything a trout fishing enthusiast could ever want.
Perhaps I’ll see you there this spring at one of the many hot trout lakes!
For the latest ice conditions and a list of the lakes and chalets available for the April 16th opening, please call (819) 423-5832, or check them out on the web: http://www.fairmont.com/kenauk
Outdoorsguy
Geez too bad they don’t have Quebec Reds
😉
Sorry Iggy..no reds, but that’s the only thing they don’t have…
Outdoorsguy
I thought a red was a brookie?
Dan, you must have missed my ‘fish trivia contest’ back in Feb..talks all about QC Reds and brookies…
http://blogs.canoe.ca/outdoorsguy/uncategorized/fish-id-quiz-for-prizes/
Outdoorsguy
I noticed that the hatchery at Whitefish Lake had closed down during a recent visit to the Kenauk Reserve. Has the hatchery there reopened or has it been moved elsewhere?
Fishr, Kenauk’s hatchery at Whitefish was shut down to do a major overhaul.
Bill Nowell was telling me that it will be back up-and-running very soon..with all new holding tanks and a complete make-over with the latest equipment..if I recall, the government is getting involved in some way.
I will find out for you when it is expected to be completed and let you..
Outdoorsguy
Hi fishr:
I just heard from Bill Nowell of Kenauk and here’s what he had to say regarding the
new fish hatchery:
“The proposed modifications are before the government agencies that provide the necessary permits and I am hoping that we can start the work early this year, but the timeline is out of our control at this point in the process. In the meantime, I can assure you that our long standing stocking program has not been compromised.”
Outdoorsguy
I think I’m owed a lure 😉
but I can’t go to Algonquin this spring to test it anyway, first year in about 15
looks like I’ll be missing the moose hunt to after 19years
the outdoor season is looking rather bleak
No worries Iggy, I haven’t forgotten about you..just been laid up for a couple of weeks. I actually just spoke with my man at Williams today and your stuff is on the way!
I am sorry to hear about your cancelled trips..and to hear that you’ve cancelled your moose trip makes me wonder if something is wrong..I will PM you about it.
Outdoorsguy
naw the spring Algonquin trip is off because I hsve to work, I can usually work around it but this year I’m blocked in so it’s one of those things. I love fishing in Algonquin Park every spring so I’ll miss it but we have a spek lake close to our hunt camp so I might just take a weekend there instead.
As far as the moose hunt, it’s still a ways off and I’ve told them to find another guy, after 19 years of that long haul up to Atikokan I’ve decided to take at least a year off, no big deal, I might look for something a little closer
Iggy, if you aren’t going to the Park perhaps you should consider Kenauk this spring..the trout fishing really is excellent! The Ottawa Fly-fishers Club goes there all the time and they do very well.
And a short drive for you to Montebello…
Outdoorsguy
no shot at Kenauk because I know they are a fist class outfit but it seems pretty rich for my blood. I’m just a poor old fisherman trying to catch the odd fish for a meal
Sure wish you had speel chick, I’m feelling a littl illiteate
hey man,
whats your favorite lake in kenauk to fish, and have they stalked the river lately also is there any lakes with wild fish?
Hey Colin, I have never actually fished for trout in the Kinonge River..only largemouth and pike – of which there are a load in there. I’m actually suprised trout could even live in the river, but I hear they do.
I like Jackson lake for brookies and Green, Otter and Taunton for rainbow…I believe Taunton also has browns, unfortunately Ive never caught one there..I will check with Bill Nowell on the native trout scene..but I’m pretty sure big Papineau at least has natives, and I’ll find out about any others..
You know, there are a bunch of excellent lakes I have not even tried yet!
Hard to beleive things are opening up there this weekend..time really flies!
Best regards,
Outdoorsguy
Got my fishing prizes delivered right to my door this morning before I was even out of bed. Delivered by none other than The Outdoors guy himself
Thanks Jeff, when I snag one of those Quebec Red’s I ‘ll be thinking about who helped me catch it.
thanks again
Ig
It was my pleasure Iggy..I hope the new Williams and Mepps stuff does help you out!
That Maxima line, also sold by Brecks..is a premium fishing line..and all I use actually.
I’ve got a field-test on it I should post sometime….they don’t call it Chameleon for nothing!
Outdoorsguy
alright, i find otter is to easy sometimes and mills is to full of sunfish but i walked up to bent last year and caught some nice brookies. I know that there are some nice lakers in papineau, never caught one though. My dad is a guide there through out the fishing season so i get up there a few times, haha. any suggestions of lakes that would be fun to hit this year?
Colin, you are another one of the fortunate few to have spent time at Kenauk..I simply love it up there!
Is Bent the lake above the Kinonge River..where you take the trail from Pine Chalet? If so, then I have fished it..otherwise, Id sure like to try it sometime!
It’s opening weekend this weekend, and I am hoping to hear from Bill on how things are going…
I will keep you posted
Outdoorsguy
hey jeff,
last year i went up with Colin Huff and caught my first rainbow trout!
Hey Brad, good for you!
How big was it, and what lake did you catch it in?
They are a fish with a much different personality than brook trout, I find…I’ve always found rainbows to be a bit finicky; sometimes requiring some finesse to get them to strike – which is in contrast to most brookies that tend to be all or nothing. They are either on the bite or they’re not, with very little grey area!
Congrats, bet you want to go back now, eh?
Outdoorsguy
Hey guys,
My boss has opened the vault and is treating some his lucky minions to a trip to Kanauk this weekend. We are staying in the Pine chalet. Any recommendatiosn on which lake/river to fish? Thanks!
Hey dan..that is one generous boss! Pine is my absolute favourite chalet..and has great bass and pike fishing in the Kinonge river..right off the dock..but sadly those seasons are closed.
If you can get onto Jackson..Id go there..or Bent..really, any lakes available are a good bet.
Good luck and have fun at my fav home away from home..enjoy the pool table in the basement…and
hey, those two big bucks on the wall..those are mine…kidding.
Outdoorsguy
just got back from kenauk, caught some nice lakers in commandant. lake mills also had nice rainbows and browns, browns are hard to catch we only got 3.lake suprise have nice speckle as well as mountain. i liked portaging to mountain too bad they built a road right to it. twins lake is suppose to be a trophy lake but nothing big came out of it.
Hey greytrout, that sounds incredible!
Sounds like you hit lots of great spots and managed to catch some browns too…Ive never
caught a brown at Kenauk.. only seen them in the hatchery.
When you say Commandant, you mean Papineau, right?
I imagine the water temperature is starting to drop too, thats good.
Which Chalet did you stay in, or did you travel home at night?
Outdoorsguy
yes ,commandant was the name of the lake when kenauk was the seignory club,we stayed at chalet cedar ,cant wait for spring fishing. i will be back at kenauk again this year,
Well graytrout, I may just see you there..I will check with Bill Nowell to see if the ice is starting to come of yet..
I’m with you, trout season is just around the corner and its pretty darn exciting.
Outdoorsguy