Lac du Panache in Mauricie: How and When to Fish It

• Overview

  In Quebec, Lac du Panache belongs to Mauricie. It lies 427 metres above sea level. A pocket of water where every cast reaches cover. Our Mauricie list holds plenty of bigger water. The nearest place of any size is La Tuque, 47 km away. Weymontachie is 70 km away, with Manawan at 76 km. The county line is nowhere near, so one local authority covers the water.

• Where to Fish on Lac du Panache

  There is no published depth for this one, so start shallow and work out. The shallow end warms first and pulls fish in ahead of the rest. Read the surface for the wind lane, then fish the edge of it. County-wide records name northern pike, brook trout, walleye and yellow perch. What holds for the county may not hold for this water. The shape of Lac du Panache decides where the fish sit.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Temperature averages peak at 17°C in July and bottom out at -16°C in January. The freeze arrives properly here and holds. After early May the shallows warm and the fish move up. Averages place the thaw at early May and the freeze at mid November. The middle of summer slows a little, with dawn and dusk carrying it. Keep it in mind when planning a trip to Lac du Panache.

• Tackle & Baits

  Public data does not answer the access question here. No built facilities appear in mapping around this water. Largemouth respond to soft plastics tight to cover; go weedless where the growth is heavy. Where a permit is needed, the nearest town usually sells it. Signs go up and come down, so check on the day. Should this one be busy, Lac Degarni is 0.9 km off. Check the position at Lac du Panache before loading the car.