Gros lac Bill Fishing near Weymontachie, Quebec

• Overview

  In Quebec, Gros lac Bill belongs to Mauricie. It stands 470 metres above sea level. Surface area runs to about 5 hectares — small enough to read in one session. The nearest town is Weymontachie, 29 km away. The nearest city of size is Saguenay, 182 km away. Alternatives close at hand: Lac Parapluie about 0.5 km, 1.2 km away is Lac Denise, Lac Inconnu about 1.3 km, 1.5 km away is Lac Kouga and Lac Georgette about 1.5 km. The county line is nowhere near, so one local authority covers the water.

• Where to Fish on Gros lac Bill

  No depth figure appears in our records, so the bank has to tell you. This is a lake, so the margins and the first drop matter most. On a natural lake the weed line and the shelf beyond it do the work. Mauricie records list northern pike, brook trout, walleye, yellow perch and white sucker among the fish reported. What holds for the county may not hold for this water. Anyone new to Gros lac Bill should walk it once before setting up.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Typical July readings run about 16°C; by January the average is down near -17°C. This far north the hard season runs and runs. Ice fishing carries the winter, and the water opens about early May. Going by climate averages, expect open water from about early May until roughly mid November. Just after the ice goes and just before it returns, the fishing lifts. The season on Gros lac Bill follows the weather closely.

• Tackle & Baits

  There is no clear statement anywhere on who can fish it. Mapping shows no built access close by; expect to walk in from wherever you can leave the car. For the bass here, soft plastics worked slow along cover and a spinnerbait for searching do most of the work. A phone call first saves an afternoon. Rules for boats are stricter than rules for the bank in many places. The nearest alternative is Lac Parapluie, 0.5 km out. Check the position on Gros lac Bill before loading the car.