Lac Petain in Lanaudière: How and When to Fish It

• Overview

  Lac Petain stands in Lanaudière, Quebec. The country here is lake country bush. At about 41 hectares, a day is enough to walk the shoreline properly. With about 3.6 km of edge, you can try several depths in one session. On our Lanaudière list it sits near the top for size. The town to know is Saint-Michel-des-Saints, 19 km out. For a city, Saint-Louis-de-Terrebonne is 108 km off. There is no boundary nearby to worry about.

• Where to Fish on Lac Petain

  Depth here is unknown, so count the lead down before committing. A soft bed grows weed late into autumn, which keeps fish shallow. Read the surface for the wind lane, then fish the edge of it. Reported across Lanaudière: pumpkinseed, smallmouth bass, yellow perch, rock bass and brook trout. Records at this level tell you what is in the area. Anyone new to Lac Petain should walk it once before setting up.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Between January at about -15°C and July at about 17°C, the water has a wide range to work through. The season turns properly here, and fish follow it closely. The open season starts with the thaw, near enough late April. Open water usually runs from late April until about late November. Late spring and early autumn carry the year between them. It holds true on Lac Petain more years than not.

• Tackle & Baits

  The rules here are undocumented as far as public sources go. No dam controls it, and the level follows the season. Nothing is mapped in the way of a ramp or car park within a short radius. For the bass here, soft plastics worked slow along cover and a spinnerbait for searching do most of the work. Check whether a boat is allowed before you tow one. Where the way in crosses private ground, ask first. The nearest alternative is Lac Sarrail, 1.5 km out. Treat Lac Petain as unsettled until someone local tells you otherwise.