Lac Jean Fishing near Saint-Michel-des-Saints, Quebec

• Overview

  Lac Jean falls in Mauricie, part of Quebec. Height above sea level is 466 metres. Surface area is around 17 hectares, which gives you real water without needing a boat. Bank access stretches around 1.8 km in total. For supplies, Saint-Michel-des-Saints is 58 km out. It is 116 km to Trois-Rivières, the nearest city. It sits well inside the county, so one set of rules covers it.

• Where to Fish on Lac Jean

  Our records hold no depth for this water. The shallow end warms first and pulls fish in ahead of the rest. A soft bed grows weed late into autumn, which keeps fish shallow. Fish documented in Mauricie include northern pike, brook trout, walleye and yellow perch. Species recorded across the county may be limited to a few waters. At Lac Jean light and wind decide more than tackle does.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Temperature averages peak at 17°C in July and bottom out at -16°C in January. Open water is the exception rather than the rule here. Hard water holds through the cold months, breaking up near early May. Climate figures give an open season running early May to mid November. The first weeks of open water and the last are the ones to plan for. Keep it in mind when planning a trip to Lac Jean.

• Tackle & Baits

  There is no clear statement anywhere on who can fish it. This is a natural basin, not a dammed one. Mapping records no facilities at all near this water. Bass water: a Texas-rigged worm near cover, a spinnerbait when you need to cover ground. Check locally before you travel, because a wasted drive is a long one. Some stretches are reserved and marked as such on the ground. Failing this one, try Lac Hy, 0.9 km away. Signs at Lac Jean carry more weight than any list.