Fishing at Petit lac Francois, Laurentides, Quebec

• Overview

  Set in Laurentides, Petit lac Francois is a Quebec water. The setting is pine and birch on every side. The closest town, Mont-Laurier, is 15 km distant. Then Ferme-Neuve, 26 km, and Rivière-Rouge, 36 km. Water in the same corner: 1.6 km out stands Lac Francois, Lac a la Truite 2.2 km away, 2.3 km out stands Lac Helene, Lac de l'Aqueduc 2.5 km away and 2.6 km out stands Lac Brule. It lies deep inside the county rather than near an edge.

• Where to Fish on Petit lac Francois

  Nothing in our records gives a depth for this one. A soft bed grows weed late into autumn, which keeps fish shallow. Weed, then depth: that is the order to fish a water of this kind. Records held for Laurentides cover pumpkinseed, smallmouth bass, yellow perch and brook trout. The county figures include rivers and lakes alike. Petit lac Francois responds to conditions more than to tactics.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Between January at about -15°C and July at about 18°C, the water has a wide range to work through. Fishing here follows the temperature more than the calendar. Expect a solid lid for months and a thaw around late April. The water is typically free of ice between late April and late November. Early summer and early autumn carry the open-water season. Plan around that when you fish Petit lac Francois.

• Tackle & Baits

  Nothing on record says whether the bank is open or closed. A pier or jetty stands 740 m 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. Local rules can differ across the county line, so check where you stand. Close seasons apply to some species and not others. Lac Francois at 1.6 km is the sensible second choice. Treat access at Petit lac Francois as something to verify.