Lac Matte Fishing in Mauricie, Quebec

• Overview

  Lac Matte lies in Mauricie, in Quebec. The country here is lake country bush. Small at around 6 hectares: two anglers spread out cover most of it. The closest town, Laurentides, is 18 km away. Sainte-Thècle lies 25 km off, Saint-Tite another 35 km. Others worth noting: Lac Petit out at 0.7 km, Lac a l'Orignal after 1.8 km, Lac Price out at 2.1 km, Lac du Canard after 2.2 km and Lac Welch out at 2.3 km. There is no boundary nearby to worry about.

• Where to Fish on Lac Matte

  Depth is unmeasured here, so let the shoreline guide you. The shallow end warms first and pulls fish in ahead of the rest. The productive water is a rod length or two out, not a hundred. Fish documented in Mauricie include northern pike, brook trout, walleye and yellow perch. County records show what lives in the area; the local agency holds the water-by-water list. Read Lac Matte for ten minutes before the first cast goes out.

• Seasonal Patterns

  July runs about 18°C on average, January about -15°C. Winter puts a hard lid on this one. Look for the thaw near late April; the fishing lifts straight after. On average, late April opens the water and late November closes it again. Just after the ice goes and just before it returns, the fishing lifts. Lac Matte runs to its own calendar within the local pattern.

• Tackle & Baits

  The paperwork position is blank for this one. Access points are not mapped for this water, which suits people who like quiet. A small crankbait along the drop and a worm in the thick stuff cover the bass. Check whether a boat is allowed before you tow one. Signs go up and come down, so check on the day. If the gate is shut, Lac Petit at 0.7 km is the nearest alternative. For Lac Matte, the notice at the access point is the final word.