Big Rock Fishing Derby

The Big Rock Fishing Derby runs from June 5 through July 13, 2026, on the shores of Lake Mistassini in the Cree community of Mistissini, Quebec, offering nearly six weeks of angling competition on the largest natural freshwater lake in the province. The derby takes its name from the Cree word for which the town itself was named: mista assini, meaning “big rock,” a reference to the massive glacial boulder that has served as a landmark for countless generations of Indigenous travelers navigating these waters. Stretching 120 kilometers in length and up to 32 kilometers wide, Lake Mistassini presents anglers with waters so clear that community members still draw drinking water directly from its depths, a testament to the pristine wilderness that defines this corner of the Eeyou Istchee Baie-James region.

The competition draws participants seeking walleye, northern pike, brook trout, and lake trout in waters that have sustained the Cree people since time immemorial. Friendly categories ensure anglers of varying skill levels can compete, while the extended timeframe allows families and groups to plan around their schedules and experience the lake at different points throughout the brief but glorious northern summer. Beyond the competition itself, the derby creates a gathering atmosphere with live music, children’s entertainment, artisan markets featuring Cree crafts, and food vendors serving both regional favorites and Indigenous dishes that reflect the cultural heritage of this remarkable place. Evening fireworks illuminate skies that barely darken during the longest days of June, adding to the celebratory spirit that permeates the weeks-long event.

The surrounding landscape rewards exploration between fishing sessions. The Réserve faunique des Lacs-Albanel-Mistassini-et-Waconichi encompasses over 16,000 square kilometers of forests, lakes, and open wilderness, making it Quebec’s largest wildlife reserve and offering endless opportunities for hiking, paddling, and wildlife observation. Lake Albanel, running parallel to Mistassini, draws serious anglers for its trophy-sized catches and remote beauty. The Rupert River, accessed through local outfitting operations like the Mistassini Outfitting Camps, provides world-class fishing expeditions led by Cree guides whose families have navigated these waterways for generations. Osprey Lodge and Louis-Jolliet Camp offer full adventure services with experienced guides who possess an intuitive understanding of where fish congregate in this labyrinthine watershed.

Mistissini Lodge anchors the community’s hospitality offerings, a four-star property where all twenty rooms face the lake and the on-site restaurant serves both continental cuisine and authentic Indigenous dishes prepared according to traditional Cree methods. The lodge also houses a Cree museum that provides context for the deep cultural connections between the community and these waters, a meaningful complement to days spent casting lines into the same lake that sustained ancestors for millennia. The tourism office within the lodge can arrange provincial fishing licenses, daily access permits, and connections to guided expeditions that venture into the most productive corners of this enormous body of water.

Chibougamau, approximately 70 kilometers south, provides additional services and the Broue-Pub La Chaumière serves locally brewed craft beer for those seeking evening refreshment after long days on the water. The journey north along Route 167 itself becomes part of the adventure, passing through boreal forest that stretches unbroken to the horizon, a reminder that you are entering one of the last truly wild places on the continent.

A vacation rental on Lake.com positions you perfectly for the full derby experience, with properties that offer the space for families or reunion groups to gather, clean catches, and share meals as the northern light stretches late into evening. Book your stay on Lake.com and discover why anglers return to these waters year after year, drawn not just by the fish but by the profound sense of place that the Cree have understood for thousands of years.