Fishing Lac Errol in Mauricie, Quebec

• Overview

  Lac Errol lies within the bounds of Mauricie, Quebec. The ground round it is northern bush. It covers about 8 hectares, so this is small water you can walk round in under an hour. You are 85 km from Leblanc. Gatineau is the closest city, 284 km away. Other water within reach: Lac Ababa (1.5 km), Lac Alexandra within 1.5 km, Lac Benito (1.9 km), Lac Libye within 2.2 km and Lac Haile (2.8 km). Rules here are straightforward: one set of provincial rules.

• Where to Fish on Lac Errol

  Depth here is unknown, so count the lead down before committing. This is a lake, so the margins and the first drop matter most. Bays and points beat straight shoreline every time on water like this. Records held for Mauricie cover northern pike, brook trout and walleye. What holds for the county may not hold for this water. The near bank of Lac Errol is often the one people ignore.

• Seasonal Patterns

  On the long-term average, July reads 16°C and January reads -18°C. Long winters and short summers set the pattern. Count on hard cover from midwinter, and open water from early May. Climate figures give an open season running early May to mid November. Reckon on open water from spring through to late autumn, with May and June the strongest. Lac Errol runs to that rhythm year in and year out.

• Tackle & Baits

  The rules here are undocumented as far as public sources go. Mapping shows no built access close by; expect to walk in from wherever you can leave the car. Bass water: a Texas-rigged worm near cover, a spinnerbait when you need to cover ground. Provincial rules still apply whatever the bank status. Some stretches are reserved and marked as such on the ground. If the gate is shut, Lac Ababa at 1.5 km is the nearest alternative. Rules at Lac Errol are worth checking on the day.