Fishing at Lac Bonpland, Outaouais, Quebec

• Overview

  Quebec holds Lac Bonpland, in Outaouais. Country round the bank runs to lake country bush. At 5 hectares it is the sort of place you fish for an evening rather than a day. 22 km away sits Deep River, the nearest town. The nearest city of size is Gatineau, 174 km away. Others worth noting: Lac Ledebour within 0.6 km, 1.4 km away is Lac Bory, Lac Braun within 2 km, 2.3 km away is Lac Serien and Lac Lessing within 2.4 km. Two sets of local rules meet not far from this water.

• Where to Fish on Lac Bonpland

  No figure exists for depth, so let the water show you. Bays and points beat straight shoreline every time on water like this. A natural lake fishes on cover, and cover here means weed and timber. County-wide records name pumpkinseed, yellow perch, smallmouth bass, rainbow smelt and Iowa darter. What holds for the county may not hold for this water. Work Lac Bonpland in sections rather than trying to cover it.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Expect July near 18°C and January near -14°C on the long-run figures. Four clear seasons, with a proper winter at one end. The freeze runs deep into the year, with break-up near late April. In an average year the thaw lands around late April and the freeze near late November. May into June fishes hardest, and September gives a second good stretch before the lid returns. Plan any trip to Lac Bonpland around it.

• Tackle & Baits

  Access status is simply unknown for this water. 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. Parking space is the usual limit rather than the bank itself. Where the way in crosses private ground, ask first. Should this one be busy, Lac Ledebour is 0.6 km off. Treat access at Lac Bonpland as something to verify.