Fishing at Lac Holmes, Capitale-Nationale, Quebec

• Overview

  Capitale-Nationale in Quebec is where Lac Holmes sits. Beyond the shoreline you have pine and birch. Roughly 12 hectares: a morning covers one end, an afternoon the other. Bank access stretches around 1.7 km in total. For supplies, Laurentides is 19 km out. Sainte-Foy is the closest city, 102 km away. Near neighbours include: Lac Fred at about 1.1 km, Lac du Loup 1.1 km, Lac Fogh at about 1.2 km, Lac Voisin 1.3 km and Lac Independant at about 1.5 km. The nearest boundary is a fair way off.

• Where to Fish on Lac Holmes

  Our records hold no depth for this water. The shallow end warms first and pulls fish in ahead of the rest. Still water like this holds fish on the edges rather than out in the open. Species logged across Capitale-Nationale include lake sturgeon, Atlantic sturgeon, longnose sucker and sauger. At least one recorded species is protected in parts of its range; read the local rules before targeting anything. Take Lac Holmes a stretch at a time.

• Seasonal Patterns

  July runs about 17°C on average, January about -15°C. A solid cap is the normal state through winter. The lid arrives early and lasts until roughly late April. The water is typically free of ice between late April and late November. Fishing peaks soon after break-up and again before the cold returns. Lac Holmes fishes to that pattern most years.

• Tackle & Baits

  Who may fish here is not settled in anything we hold. It formed naturally, so levels move with rainfall rather than with a gate. No made access appears within a short radius, so plan to park on a verge and walk. Walleye come to jigs worked slow near bottom, and to trolled crankbaits along the drops at dusk. Check whether a boat is allowed before you tow one. Rules for boats are stricter than rules for the bank in many places. Lac Fred sits 1.1 km off and takes the overflow. Check the current arrangement for Lac Holmes.