Fishing at Lac Gilles, Mauricie, Quebec

• Overview

  Look for Lac Gilles in the Mauricie part of Quebec. The country here is mixed forest. It covers about 2 hectares, so this is small water you can walk round in under an hour. On size it sits at the modest end of our Mauricie list. Head to La Tuque, 48 km away, for anything you forgot. It is 131 km to Saguenay, the nearest city. The nearest boundary is well away, so one set of rules covers the water.

• Where to Fish on Lac Gilles

  Open data we checked carries no depth for this water. Weed, then depth: that is the order to fish a water of this kind. Still water like this holds fish on the edges rather than out in the open. Across Mauricie, recorded fish include northern pike, brook trout, walleye and yellow perch. Species recorded across the county may be limited to a few waters. At Lac Gilles the water rewards a slow, careful approach.

• Seasonal Patterns

  The range across the year is -16°C to 17°C. The freeze arrives properly here and holds. The open season starts with the thaw, near enough late April. Averages suggest open water from about late April through to roughly mid November. June through September is the settled part of the year, with the shoulders busier for fish. Keep it in mind when planning a trip to Lac Gilles.

• Tackle & Baits

  Whether the bank is open is not something our records settle. Access points are not mapped for this water, which suits people who like quiet. For the bass here, soft plastics worked slow along cover and a spinnerbait for searching do most of the work. Local rules can differ across the county line, so check where you stand. Check whether bait restrictions apply before you buy any. Lac Sec at 0.8 km is the sensible second choice. Check the current arrangement for Lac Gilles.