Fishing at Lac des Rates, Laurentides, Quebec

• Overview

  The Laurentides end of Quebec holds Lac des Rates. The land about it is taiga. For a base, Ferme-Neuve sits 81 km out. For a city, Gatineau is 216 km off. Nearest other option: Lac de la Chimere lies 0.6 km on, Lac Cathy 1.5 km away, Lac Jude lies 2.4 km on, Lac Val 3 km away and Lac Vimont lies 3.6 km on. One jurisdiction covers this water end to end.

• Where to Fish on Lac des Rates

  Without a survey to go on, judge depth from how the bank falls away. A soft bed grows weed late into autumn, which keeps fish shallow. The shallow end warms first and pulls fish in ahead of the rest. Laurentides records list pumpkinseed, smallmouth bass, yellow perch, brook trout and rock bass among the fish reported. Take it as the county picture rather than a promise for this water. Lac des Rates responds to conditions more than to tactics.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Long-run averages give July about 17°C and January about -17°C. Little of the calendar is open water, so timing counts for everything. The lid usually sets by midwinter and gives way around early May. The season between ice runs from about early May to mid November. Early summer and early autumn carry the open-water season. It holds true on Lac des Rates more years than not.

• Tackle & Baits

  Access status is simply unknown for this water. Formal access is not mapped, so the last stretch is likely on foot. A small crankbait along the drop and a worm in the thick stuff cover the bass. Where the road in crosses private land, ask first. Some ground is open by custom rather than by right, so tread carefully. Should this one be busy, Lac de la Chimere is 0.6 km off. For Lac des Rates in particular, ask before you travel.