Lac Roy in Mauricie: How and When to Fish It

• Overview

  Lac Roy sits within Mauricie in Quebec. Around the bank it is boreal forest. On water this small, stealth matters more than range. It is a small entry by Mauricie standards. Saint-Michel-des-Saints at 58 km is the nearest place to stop. The big place round here is Trois-Rivières, 114 km distant. Rules here are straightforward: one set of provincial rules.

• Where to Fish on Lac Roy

  Depth is unknown to us, and the shoreline is the better guide. The shallow end warms first and pulls fish in ahead of the rest. Weed, then depth: that is the order to fish a water of this kind. Survey and observation records for Mauricie include northern pike, brook trout, walleye, yellow perch and white sucker. Species recorded across the county may be limited to a few waters. Lac Roy gives up more to patience than to distance.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Between January at about -16°C and July at about 17°C, the water has a wide range to work through. Winter runs most of the calendar, and everything worth doing happens in the gap. Firm cover through the cold months, then open water from early May. Break-up near early May, freeze-up near mid November: that is the shape of an average year. From the thaw to midsummer the fishing improves week by week. Keep it in mind when planning a trip to Lac Roy.

• Tackle & Baits

  No access rule appears in what we hold. No made access appears within a short radius, so plan to park on a verge and walk. A small crankbait along the drop and a worm in the thick stuff cover the bass. Ask in the nearest town if you are unsure. Check whether bait restrictions apply before you buy any. Lac Barbeau, 0.7 km away, makes the obvious fallback. Signs at Lac Roy carry more weight than any list.