Fishing at Etang Duck Hole, Estrie, Quebec

• Overview

  Etang Duck Hole is an Estrie water, Quebec side. The land about it is pine and birch. The closest town, Lac-Mégantic, is 19 km distant. Further out sit Weedon Centre (56 km) and Cookshire (58 km). Close by you also have: Lac des Joncs lies 4.9 km on, Lac a la Truite 7.2 km, Arnold Pond lies 7.7 km on, Crosby Pond 8.8 km and Lac aux Araignees lies 8.9 km on. Two sets of local rules meet not far from this water.

• Where to Fish on Etang Duck Hole

  No depth figure has reached our records, which makes a plummet useful. On a natural lake the weed line and the shelf beyond it do the work. This is a lake, so the margins and the first drop matter most. Species logged across Estrie include rainbow trout, white sucker, pumpkinseed and brook trout. Records at county level tell you what is around, not what is stocked here. On Etang Duck Hole the obvious spot is not always the productive one.

• Seasonal Patterns

  July runs about 17°C on average, January about -12°C. The year runs cold to warm and back, with clear transitions. Hard water holds through the cold months, breaking up near late April. The water is typically free of ice between late April and late November. The first weeks of open water and the last are the ones to plan for. The season on Etang Duck Hole rarely departs from it.

• Tackle & Baits

  Ownership and access are not documented in what we hold. The closest car park is 750 m away, so pack accordingly. A picnic site 750 m off makes this workable with family in tow. Facilities run to toilets 780 m from the water. A small crankbait along the drop and a worm in the thick stuff cover the bass. Provincial rules still apply whatever the bank status. Signs go up and come down, so check on the day. The nearest alternative is Lac des Joncs, 4.9 km out. Where Etang Duck Hole is concerned, a local answer beats a written one.