Let's go for two days of fishing and pure relaxation in the beautiful Lanaudière region! My family and I had already explored this enchanting area on a few day trips, but the idea of spending two full nights at an outfitter filled us with excitement.
The great thing about outfitters is the wide range of accommodation options: cabins, campsites, yurts, and more! Some even offer fishing lessons specially designed for families. And that's not all: many also offer boats, beaches, mountain biking, and hiking trails. In short, a wide range of exciting activities, all in one place. It takes a lot of the hassle out of planning a family vacation! If you want to plan your own outfitter vacation, click here. In the meantime, let me tell you about our experience at the Auberge de la Barrière outfitter!
We arrived on a sunny Sunday in August. And what a first impression! As we turned the corner, the sparkling lake revealed itself before us, lined with charming cottages. Wow... what a view! We could already tell that our stay would be memorable.
At the reception desk, the very friendly Carole welcomed us with her most beautiful smile. Guy quickly joined her to explain how the outfitter worked. We were served a delicious cocktail and a special juice for the children, which we enjoyed quietly on the terrace. The show has already begun: in the distance, seven loons float on the water. Suddenly, two bald eagles attack an osprey, which drops its fish into the lake. A scene straight out of a documentary! We've only been here a few minutes, and already we're amazed by the place.
FAMILY-FRIENDLY FACILITIES
The great thing about Auberge de la Barrière is that it offers much more than just a fishing trip. A small beach, playground equipment for children, inflatable structures, boats, and even a floating trampoline—everything is designed to entertain families. You can learn to fish at your own pace, and with no fewer than five types of trout spread across three different lakes, it's impossible to get bored!
After exploring the facilities and feeding the many rabbits roaming free (a real hit with the kids!), we settled into our cottage. Spacious, immaculate, and offering a splendid view of the lake thanks to its large windows, we couldn't have asked for anything better. In the evening, we enjoyed a delicious trout lasagna at the inn's restaurant before retiring for the night to rest up for our first big day.
MAGICAL SUNRISE
At 6 a.m. the next day, my partner and I got up to watch the sunrise. After several days of hot weather, the temperature had dropped to 4 degrees that morning. The result? A magical mist floated over the lakes. The landscape was simply breathtaking.
INTRODUCTION TO FISHING
Once the children were awake, we headed to our introductory fishing class! We were complete novices (casting a line a few times doesn't really count 😉). Sébastien, our guide, prepared three fishing rods and explained the basics to us. Armed with our snacks, our rods, and a rowboat, we set off on our adventure.
Let's just say that the start was... chaotic (two tangled lines, one of which got caught in the motor!). We almost gave up, but we persevered and eventually the magic happened. The morning turned into a wonderful family moment, punctuated by laughter and clumsy attempts.
At lunchtime, we had a small steak on the cottage BBQ, then spent the afternoon at the beach, boating and playing games. Charlie befriended a little girl and didn't leave her side, Nicolas slid down the water slide non-stop, and I played a game of badminton with Alaska. The day ended on a high note with cocktails on the beach, followed by another dinner at the restaurant. In the evening, we tried fishing again under a beautiful sunset... but without any luck on the trout front! Maybe tomorrow morning?
The evening ended around a campfire, with marshmallows, sausages, and shared laughter. Charlie's friend joined us, and all the children experienced a magical moment that they will remember for a long time.
THE LONG-AWAITED TROUT
On Tuesday morning, before leaving, we couldn't resist one last attempt at fishing. My son was determined: there was no way we were leaving without a fish! We could see the trout jumping on the surface, and the atmosphere was electric. We met an experienced fisherman who shared a few tips with us, and our hopes were renewed. And then, bam! We got a bite!
Charlie managed to reel in a magnificent golden trout. She was overjoyed, and the children were overexcited, shouting with happiness. It was THE perfect moment, one they will always remember.
A little disappointed, Nicolas didn't manage to catch one this time, but one thing is certain: we'll have to come back. After Charlie said goodbye to her new friend, we hit the road again, our hearts light and filled with precious memories.
What a wonderful experience at this Lanaudière outfitter! A getaway that combines nature, relaxation, and family fun. We'll definitely be back to try one of the 17 other outfitters Lanaudière has to offer! I wish you a wonderful family fishing adventure!
