Fishing Lac Bellemare in Mauricie, Quebec

• Overview

  Mauricie in Quebec is where Lac Bellemare sits. The bank is 272 metres above sea level. It covers about 2 hectares, so this is small water you can walk round in under an hour. Most waters listed here for Mauricie are larger. Nearest town is Mandeville, 15 km off. After that come Saint-Élie-de-Caxton at 20 km and Saint-Gabriel at 23 km. Being near a boundary, it pays to know which side you are fishing.

• Where to Fish on Lac Bellemare

  Depth here is unknown, so count the lead down before committing. The productive water is a rod length or two out, not a hundred. A soft bed grows weed late into autumn, which keeps fish shallow. Records held for Mauricie cover northern pike, brook trout, walleye and yellow perch. The county list is broader than any single water. Take Lac Bellemare a stretch at a time.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Seasonal averages run from -14°C in January up to 18°C in July. Winter puts a hard lid on this one. After late April the shallows warm and the fish move up. On average, late April opens the water and late November closes it again. The strong weeks are the first after break-up and the last before the freeze. It sets the rhythm of the year at Lac Bellemare.

• Tackle & Baits

  Our records carry no access rule either way. No made access is recorded, so a short walk in is the likely arrangement. A small crankbait along the drop and a worm in the thick stuff cover the bass. Take the rules with you rather than trusting memory. Keep proof of licence with you rather than in the car. If the gate is shut, Lac du Milieu at 0.9 km is the nearest alternative. Confirm before you fish Lac Bellemare.