Lac Saint-Laurent Fishing Guide, Lanaudière, Quebec

• Overview

  Look for Lac Saint-Laurent in Lanaudière, Quebec. The land about it is spruce and muskeg. Surface area runs to about 7 hectares — small enough to read in one session. Nearest place of any size is Manawan, 35 km away. Further out sit Rivière-Rouge (62 km) and Saint-Michel-des-Saints (64 km). If this one is busy: Lac Desjardins 0.5 km away, Lac Maille just 0.9 km, Lac Angelo 1 km away, Petit lac Rouge just 1.3 km and Lac Elgin 1.3 km away. No boundary runs near, so the local rules hold throughout.

• Where to Fish on Lac Saint-Laurent

  Depth is unknown to us, and the shoreline is the better guide. Where the bottom changes texture, fish gather; find that line. Read the surface for the wind lane, then fish the edge of it. County-wide records name pumpkinseed, smallmouth bass and yellow perch. Take it as the county picture rather than a promise for this water. On Lac Saint-Laurent the quiet end is the one worth the extra effort.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Seasonal averages run from -16°C in January up to 17°C in July. Little of the calendar is open water, so timing counts for everything. Ice is part of the season here, ending near early May. From about early May to around mid November, expect open water on the long-run figures. Early summer and early autumn carry the open-water season. Keep it in mind when planning a trip to Lac Saint-Laurent.

• Tackle & Baits

  Ownership and access are not documented in what we hold. A pier or jetty stands 1 km away, which helps on a crowded bank. For the bass here, soft plastics worked slow along cover and a spinnerbait for searching do most of the work. Sort the permit out before you load the car. Some stretches are reserved and marked as such on the ground. Lac Desjardins at 0.5 km is the sensible second choice. Confirm access to Lac Saint-Laurent locally before you travel.