Lac Rigali in Capitale-Nationale: How and When to Fish It

• Overview

  Lac Rigali lies within the bounds of Capitale-Nationale, Quebec. Around the bank it is lake country bush. Small at around 2 hectares: two anglers spread out cover most of it. Our Capitale-Nationale list holds plenty of bigger water. Laurentides at 22 km is the nearest place to stop. After that come Saint-Raymond at 23 km and Saint-Ubalde at 28 km. This one is safely inside the county line.

• Where to Fish on Lac Rigali

  Depth is unknown to us, and the shoreline is the better guide. Still water like this holds fish on the edges rather than out in the open. Where the bottom changes texture, fish gather; find that line. Records held for Capitale-Nationale cover lake sturgeon, Atlantic sturgeon, longnose sucker, sauger and channel catfish. Protected fish appear in the records for this area, so treat the list as information, not an invitation. Work Lac Rigali in sections rather than trying to cover it.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Seasonal averages run from -14°C in January up to 18°C in July. Winter shuts the surface down for months. Firm cover through the cold months, then open water from late April. On average, late April opens the water and late November closes it again. Right after break-up, and again as the nights sharpen, is when to go. Anyone fishing Lac Rigali regularly works to that calendar.

• Tackle & Baits

  There is no clear statement anywhere on who can fish it. Mapping is blank for access, so scout the approach before committing the car. For walleye, a jig and minnow near the bottom is the standard; evenings beat middays. Rules for this water may differ from the county norm. Close seasons apply to some species and not others. The nearest alternative is Lac de la Barriere, 0.8 km out. Nothing here settles the position at Lac Rigali for certain.