Fishing at Lac Bernard, Mauricie, Quebec

• Overview

  This water sits in Mauricie, Quebec. This is taiga country. It covers about 3 hectares, so this is small water you can walk round in under an hour. On size it sits at the modest end of our Mauricie list. The closest town, Métabetchouan, is 50 km distant. Saguenay is the closest city, 106 km away. Close by you have: Lac de l'Ecureuil out at 0.7 km, 1.9 km away is Lac du Lynx, Lac de Vase out at 1.9 km, 2.8 km away is Lac Glory and Lac Pansu out at 3 km. One jurisdiction covers this water end to end.

• Where to Fish on Lac Bernard

  The records we hold are silent on depth, so plan to find it yourself. Bays and points beat straight shoreline every time on water like this. A soft bed grows weed late into autumn, which keeps fish shallow. Across Mauricie, recorded fish include northern pike, brook trout and walleye. Records at county level tell you what is around, not what is stocked here. At Lac Bernard light and wind decide more than tackle does.

• Seasonal Patterns

  July runs about 17°C on average, January about -16°C. A short, intense season is the rule this far north. Winter fishing happens on the ice here, with open water back around early May. On average, early May opens the water and mid November closes it again. The strongest runs come at either end of the open season. It sets the rhythm of the year at Lac Bernard.

• Tackle & Baits

  No access rule appears in what we hold. No car park, ramp or path is recorded within easy reach of the shore. Bass water: a Texas-rigged worm near cover, a spinnerbait when you need to cover ground. Season dates differ by species, so read the table. Some water is controlled locally without a sign saying so. Failing this one, try Lac de l'Ecureuil, 0.7 km away. Signs at Lac Bernard carry more weight than any list.