Lac Gareau near Saint-Élie-de-Caxton: Fishing Spots, Seasons and Access

• Overview

  Out in Mauricie, Quebec, sits Lac Gareau. Elevation runs to 183 metres. The water covers some 20 hectares, so pick a bank rather than trying to cover it all. The edge runs 1.9 km or so, easy to work in an afternoon. It is low-lying compared with other Quebec water we list. Nearest town is Saint-Élie-de-Caxton, 7.5 km off. Shawinigan lies 15 km off, Hérouxville another 28 km. The nearest edge is a long way off, so local rules apply throughout.

• Where to Fish on Lac Gareau

  Depth here is unknown, so count the lead down before committing. 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. Mauricie records list northern pike, brook trout and walleye among the fish reported. The list covers the county rather than this water alone, so treat it as a guide. Take Lac Gareau a stretch at a time.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Typical July readings run about 19°C; by January the average is down near -14°C. Hard water is a season in its own right here. Count on hard cover from midwinter, and open water from late April. Expect the water usable from around late April until roughly late November. May into June fishes hardest, and September gives a second good stretch before the lid returns. Plan around that when you fish Lac Gareau.

• Tackle & Baits

  Public sources are silent on who controls the bank. It formed naturally, so levels move with rainfall rather than with a gate. There is recorded parking some 500 m off. There is a campsite 820 m from the water. There is a toilet block some 500 m out. Bank access can be seasonal on ground like this. Night access is frequently treated as a separate matter. Petit lac Gareau sits 0.4 km off and takes the overflow. Nothing on Lac Gareau should be assumed from this page alone.