Lac Bourhis near Saint-Donat-de-Montcalm: Fishing Spots, Seasons and Access

• Overview

  The Lanaudière end of Quebec holds Lac Bourhis. Height above sea level is 441 metres. At roughly 2 hectares, the whole thing is within casting reach of a single walk. It is one of the smaller waters we list in Lanaudière. Saint-Donat-de-Montcalm at 21 km is the nearest place to stop. The nearest city of size is Saint-Louis-de-Terrebonne, 92 km away. Rules here are straightforward: one set of provincial rules.

• Where to Fish on Lac Bourhis

  There is no published depth for this one, so start shallow and work out. On a natural lake the weed line and the shelf beyond it do the work. A soft bed grows weed late into autumn, which keeps fish shallow. Records held for Lanaudière cover pumpkinseed, smallmouth bass and yellow perch. Species recorded across the county may be limited to a few waters. The shape of Lac Bourhis decides where the fish sit.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Average temperature peaks around 17°C in July and bottoms out near -15°C in January. The year splits cleanly: hard water, then open water. After late April the shallows warm and the fish move up. In an average year the thaw lands around late April and the freeze near late November. The weeks after the thaw and the ones before the freeze are the strongest. Anyone fishing Lac Bourhis regularly works to that calendar.

• Tackle & Baits

  No public source sets out the position on this bank. No built facilities appear in mapping around this water. A small crankbait along the drop and a worm in the thick stuff cover the bass. Take the rules with you rather than trusting memory. Access can change hands, so last year's answer may not hold. The nearest alternative is Lac du Nymphee, 2 km out. Confirm access to Lac Bourhis locally before you travel.