Lac Ratelle in Mauricie: How and When to Fish It

• Overview

  Look for Lac Ratelle in the Mauricie part of Quebec. The bank is 71 metres above sea level. This is a tiny water, and one quiet approach covers all of it. Our Mauricie list holds plenty of bigger water. The closest town, Trois-Rivières, is 17 km distant. For a city, Trois-Rivières is 17 km off. The county line is nowhere near, so one local authority covers the water.

• Where to Fish on Lac Ratelle

  Depth is not on record here, so the bank has to tell you. Weed, then depth: that is the order to fish a water of this kind. A natural lake fishes on cover, and cover here means weed and timber. Mauricie records list northern pike, brook trout, walleye and yellow perch among the fish reported. The list covers the county rather than this water alone, so treat it as a guide. Read Lac Ratelle for ten minutes before the first cast goes out.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Seasonal averages run from -13°C in January up to 19°C in July. Cold winters and warm summers give a wide working range. Ice-out usually falls in late April, and the weeks after it fish hardest. Ice usually gives way near late April, and forms again about early December. The weeks after the thaw and the ones before the freeze are the strongest. The season on Lac Ratelle follows the weather closely.

• Tackle & Baits

  We hold no note on access for this one. Expect 1 km away in from where the car goes. There are picnic tables 980 m away. Largemouth respond to soft plastics tight to cover; go weedless where the growth is heavy. Where the road in crosses private land, ask first. Some water is controlled locally without a sign saying so. Lac Julien sits 3.1 km off and takes the overflow. Check the position on Lac Ratelle before loading the car.