Lac Picard in Côte-Nord: How and When to Fish It

• Overview

  You will find Lac Picard in Côte-Nord, Quebec. Boreal forest runs right down to the water. The water covers around 3.19 sq km, which puts most of it out of reach from the bank. The perimeter is close to 34 km, and wind can be flat in one arm and rough in the next. Size puts it in the front rank of our Côte-Nord list. The nearest town is Godefroy, 156 km away. The big place round here is Saguenay, 273 km distant. This one is safely inside the county line.

• Where to Fish on Lac Picard

  Depth here is unknown, so count the lead down before committing. On a natural lake the weed line and the shelf beyond it do the work. Still water like this holds fish on the edges rather than out in the open. Records held for Côte-Nord cover logperch. What holds for the county may not hold for this water. Anyone new to Lac Picard should walk it once before setting up.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Expect July to average close to 14°C, with January the cold end at about -21°C. Open water is the exception rather than the rule here. The open season starts with the thaw, near enough mid May. Expect the water usable from around mid May until roughly early November. The weeks after the thaw and the ones before the freeze are the strongest. On Lac Picard that shapes the whole year.

• Tackle & Baits

  The access position is unclear from public sources. It formed naturally, so levels move with rainfall rather than with a gate. No made access appears within a short radius, so plan to park on a verge and walk. Perch take small lures and worms fished near the bottom close to structure. A phone call first saves an afternoon. Close seasons apply to some species and not others. Should this one be busy, Lac Mignon is 6.9 km off. For Lac Picard in particular, ask before you travel.