Lac Ricard in Lanaudière: How and When to Fish It

• Overview

  Lanaudière, Quebec, is where Lac Ricard sits. It lies 223 metres above sea level. At 8 hectares it is the sort of place you fish for an evening rather than a day. It is low-lying compared with other Quebec water we list. The town to know is Sainte-Julienne, 7.4 km out. The nearest city of size is Saint-Louis-de-Terrebonne, 29 km away. It sits well inside its county, with no border complications.

• Where to Fish on Lac Ricard

  Depth figures are not published for this one. 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. Across Lanaudière, recorded fish include pumpkinseed, smallmouth bass, yellow perch and rock bass. Records at county level tell you what is around, not what is stocked here. Take Lac Ricard a stretch at a time.

• Seasonal Patterns

  The warmest month averages 19°C, the coldest about -12°C. Seasons are distinct, and each one fishes differently. The lid usually goes in late April, which opens the strongest weeks of the year. Averages place the thaw at late April and the freeze at early December. Spring is short and heavy here; autumn is longer and steadier. Plan around that when you fish Lac Ricard.

• Tackle & Baits

  Ownership and access are not documented in what we hold. Access points are not mapped for this water, which suits people who like quiet. For the bass here, soft plastics worked slow along cover and a spinnerbait for searching do most of the work. Look for a notice board at the entrance. Access can change hands, so last year's answer may not hold. If the gate is shut, Lac Duplessis at 1.1 km is the nearest alternative. Nothing here settles the position at Lac Ricard for certain.