Lac Louis in Laurentides: How and When to Fish It

• Overview

  Lac Louis lies in Laurentides, in Quebec. It stands 402 metres above sea level. You can fish the entire water from one spot if you pick it well. It is a small entry by Laurentides standards. The closest town, Ferme-Neuve, is 41 km away. Beyond it, Mont-Laurier at 57 km and Saint-Boniface at 75 km. It lies deep inside the county rather than near an edge.

• Where to Fish on Lac Louis

  Depth is unknown to us, and the shoreline is the better guide. On a natural lake the weed line and the shelf beyond it do the work. A natural lake fishes on cover, and cover here means weed and timber. Open biodiversity records for Laurentides list pumpkinseed, smallmouth bass, yellow perch, brook trout and rock bass. Records at this level tell you what is in the area. Anyone new to Lac Louis should walk it once before setting up.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Long-term averages put July at about 17°C and January near -16°C. A full turn of seasons, with the strongest sport on either side of summer. Ice is part of the season here, ending near late April. Climate averages put the opening at about late April and the closing near late November. Look to early summer and the first cool weeks of autumn. Keep it in mind when planning a trip to Lac Louis.

• Tackle & Baits

  Nothing on record says whether the bank is open or closed. Mapping is blank for access, so scout the approach before committing the car. Bass water: a Texas-rigged worm near cover, a spinnerbait when you need to cover ground. A phone call first saves an afternoon. Close seasons apply to some species and not others. Lac Cardinal sits 0.6 km off and takes the overflow. Rules at Lac Louis are worth checking on the day.