Fishing at Lac Martin, Lanaudière, Quebec

• Overview

  You will find Lac Martin in Lanaudière, Quebec. The country round it is rolling bush from end to end. About 2 hectares of surface, which puts the far bank inside easy sight. It is a small entry by Lanaudière standards. Nearest place of any size is Saint-Michel-des-Saints, 20 km away. After that come Saint-Donat-de-Montcalm at 28 km and Sainte-Béatrix at 42 km. The nearest edge is a long way off, so local rules apply throughout.

• Where to Fish on Lac Martin

  Depth remains unrecorded, so treat the first session as a survey. The productive water is a rod length or two out, not a hundred. This is a lake, so the margins and the first drop matter most. County-wide records name pumpkinseed, smallmouth bass, yellow perch, rock bass and brook trout. The list covers the county rather than this water alone, so treat it as a guide. The shape of Lac Martin rewards a slow walk along one bank.

• Seasonal Patterns

  The seasonal spread runs -15°C to 17°C. The freeze arrives properly here and holds. Once it clears, about late April, the fishing comes on quickly. On average, late April opens the water and late November closes it again. Fishing peaks soon after break-up and again before the cold returns. Keep it in mind when planning a trip to Lac Martin.

• Tackle & Baits

  Who may fish here is not settled in anything we hold. There is no recorded infrastructure here; expect to find your own way in. A small crankbait along the drop and a worm in the thick stuff cover the bass. Ask in the nearest town if you are unsure. Signs go up and come down, so check on the day. Should this one be busy, Lac Comeau is 0.9 km off. Check the position at Lac Martin before loading the car.