Petit lac Gareau, Quebec: Fishing Spots and Seasons

• Overview

  Petit lac Gareau is listed under Mauricie, Quebec. It stands 183 metres above sea level. At roughly 8 hectares, the whole thing is within casting reach of a single walk. It is low-lying compared with other Quebec water we list. Saint-Élie-de-Caxton at 7.6 km is the nearest place to stop. The nearest city of size is Trois-Rivières, 38 km away. It sits well inside the county, so one set of rules covers it.

• Where to Fish on Petit lac Gareau

  Depth is unknown to us, and the shoreline is the better guide. The productive water is a rod length or two out, not a hundred. Bays and points beat straight shoreline every time on water like this. Across Mauricie, recorded fish include northern pike, brook trout, walleye, yellow perch and white sucker. The county list is broader than any single water. On Petit lac Gareau that means starting tight and working out.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Temperature averages peak at 19°C in July and bottom out at -14°C in January. Hard water is a season in its own right here. Hard cover is dependable here; it goes around late April. Ice clears near late April and comes back about late November in a typical year. Right after break-up, and again as the nights sharpen, is when to go. Petit lac Gareau fishes to that pattern most years.

• Tackle & Baits

  The access position is unclear from public sources. Expect a 800 m walk in from where the car goes. Mapping shows a campsite some 1.1 km from the water. Facilities include toilets around 810 m from here. A small crankbait along the drop and a worm in the thick stuff cover the bass. Parking is often the real limit rather than the bank itself. Access can change hands, so last year's answer may not hold. The nearest alternative is Lac Gareau, 0.4 km out. Check the position at Petit lac Gareau before loading the car.