Lac de la Guignette in Mauricie: How and When to Fish It

• Overview

  Set in Mauricie, Lac de la Guignette is a Quebec water. The setting is mixed forest. At roughly 8 hectares, the whole thing is within casting reach of a single walk. La Tuque sits 35 km from the bank. Sainte-Thècle follows at 51 km, then Laurentides at 52 km. Others within reach: Lac du Rocher after 1.2 km, Lac du Camp the better part of 1.2 km, Lac Long after 1.5 km, Lac Misereux the better part of 1.7 km and Lac Saint-Thomas after 2.5 km. Rules here are straightforward: one set of provincial rules.

• Where to Fish on Lac de la Guignette

  Without a survey to go on, judge depth from how the bank falls away. Still water like this holds fish on the edges rather than out in the open. Look for the band where the shallows give up and the bottom falls away. County-wide records name northern pike, brook trout, walleye, yellow perch and white sucker. Records at this level tell you what is in the area. On Lac de la Guignette that means starting tight and working out.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Long-run averages give July about 18°C and January about -15°C. Cold locks it up for a good stretch each year. Winter fishing happens on the ice here, with open water back around late April. Open water usually runs from late April until about late November. Fishing peaks soon after break-up and again before the cold returns. Plan around that when you fish Lac de la Guignette.

• Tackle & Baits

  There is no clear statement anywhere on who can fish it. No built facilities appear in mapping around this water. For the bass here, soft plastics worked slow along cover and a spinnerbait for searching do most of the work. Provincial rules still apply whatever the bank status. Some ground is open by custom rather than by right, so tread carefully. If the gate is shut, Lac du Rocher at 1.2 km is the nearest alternative. Check the position on Lac de la Guignette before loading the car.