Lac de la Branche du Nord in Mauricie: How and When to Fish It

• Overview

  In Quebec, Lac de la Branche du Nord belongs to Mauricie. It stands 243 metres above sea level. With some 14 hectares of water, there is room for a boat but no need of one. Shoreline comes to about 3.0 km, small enough to learn in a day. For supplies, Sainte-Thècle is 45 km out. For a city, Trois-Rivières is 84 km off. The nearest boundary is a fair way off.

• Where to Fish on Lac de la Branche du Nord

  Depth here is unknown, so count the lead down before committing. Read the surface for the wind lane, then fish the edge of it. Still water like this holds fish on the edges rather than out in the open. Reported across Mauricie: northern pike, brook trout, walleye and yellow perch. Records at county level tell you what is around, not what is stocked here. Lac de la Branche du Nord gives up its fish to patience rather than distance.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Climate records put July near 18°C and January near -15°C. Winter shuts things down for a spell, then spring reopens them fast. The lid usually sets by midwinter and gives way around late April. Going by climate averages, expect open water from about late April until roughly late November. Reckon on open water from spring through to late autumn, with May and June the strongest. Keep it in mind when planning a trip to Lac de la Branche du Nord.

• Tackle & Baits

  Nothing we hold confirms whether access is permitted. No dam controls it, and the level follows the season. Mapping records no facilities at all near this water. For the bass here, soft plastics worked slow along cover and a spinnerbait for searching do most of the work. A landowner's word beats anything printed elsewhere. Rules for boats are stricter than rules for the bank in many places. The nearest alternative is Lac de la Rencontre, 1 km out. Check the position on Lac de la Branche du Nord before loading the car.