Grand lac a l'Ours near Mont-Laurier: Fishing Spots, Seasons and Access

• Overview

  Set in Laurentides, Grand lac a l'Ours is a Quebec water. The surface lies 372 metres up. For a base, Mont-Laurier sits 25 km out. Orléans is the closest city, 116 km away. Also on the doorstep: Petit lac a l'Ours lies 0.4 km on, Lac Ravignan 1.1 km, Lac Gris lies 1.5 km on, Lac Painchaud 1.7 km and Lac Manseau lies 1.8 km on. The nearest edge is a long way off, so local rules apply throughout.

• Where to Fish on Grand lac a l'Ours

  There is no published depth for this one, so start shallow and work out. A soft bed grows weed late into autumn, which keeps fish shallow. Still water like this holds fish on the edges rather than out in the open. Fish documented in Laurentides include pumpkinseed, smallmouth bass and yellow perch. What holds for the county may not hold for this water. On Grand lac a l'Ours the first feature you find is usually worth a session.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Between January at about -15°C and July at about 18°C, the water has a wide range to work through. A full turn of seasons, with the strongest sport on either side of summer. Break-up comes around late April, and the run that follows is short and strong. The water is typically free of ice between late April and late November. May into June fishes hardest, and September gives a second good stretch before the lid returns. On Grand lac a l'Ours the same rules apply, with local timing.

• Tackle & Baits

  Nothing on record says whether the bank is open or closed. No launch point is recorded nearby, so this is a bank water unless you carry a boat in. For the bass here, soft plastics worked slow along cover and a spinnerbait for searching do most of the work. Parking space is the usual limit rather than the bank itself. Signs go up and come down, so check on the day. Petit lac a l'Ours at 0.4 km is the sensible second choice. Confirm before you fish Grand lac a l'Ours.