Lac Cardinal near Notre-Dame-du-Lac: Fishing Spots, Seasons and Access

• Overview

  Lac Cardinal is an Abitibi-Témiscamingue water, in Quebec. The setting is mixed forest on every side. At roughly 9 hectares, the whole thing is within casting reach of a single walk. Notre-Dame-du-Lac is the closest town at 33 km. Beyond it, Témiscaming at 38 km and Mattawa at 66 km. Within a short run: Lac Sabot (0.8 km), Lac de la Fonte at about 0.8 km, Lac de la Glace Fiere (1.4 km), Lac McCullough at about 2.5 km and Lac des Erables (2.7 km). The nearest boundary is a fair way off.

• Where to Fish on Lac Cardinal

  There is no published depth for this one, so start shallow and work out. A natural lake fishes on cover, and cover here means weed and timber. The productive water is a rod length or two out, not a hundred. Abitibi-Témiscamingue records list northern pike, yellow perch and walleye among the fish reported. These are county-wide records, so not all of them will be in this water. Lac Cardinal gives up its fish to patience rather than distance.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Expect July to average close to 18°C, with January the cold end at about -14°C. Expect a real winter and a strong spring after it. Ice is part of the season here, ending near late April. Climate figures give an open season running late April to late November. September and October fish steadily right up to the freeze. Lac Cardinal runs to its own calendar within the local pattern.

• Tackle & Baits

  We hold no note on access for this one. Mapping shows an empty shoreline: no ramp, no jetty, no marked entry. For the pike, wire up and throw larger lures along the weed edges. Provincial rules still apply whatever the bank status. A polite question at the farm gate opens more banks than anything else. Lac Sabot at 0.8 km is the sensible second choice. For Lac Cardinal in particular, ask before you travel.