Lac Carotte in Abitibi-Témiscamingue: How and When to Fish It

• Overview

  Lac Carotte is set in Abitibi-Témiscamingue, Quebec. It sits at 336 metres above sea level. It covers about 3 hectares, so this is small water you can walk round in under an hour. On size it sits at the modest end of our Abitibi-Témiscamingue list. Some 87 km away sits Notre-Dame-du-Lac, the nearest settlement. For a city, Greater Sudbury is 235 km off. No border sits close enough to matter.

• Where to Fish on Lac Carotte

  Depth here is unknown, so count the lead down before committing. A natural lake fishes on cover, and cover here means weed and timber. Still water like this holds fish on the edges rather than out in the open. Fish documented in Abitibi-Témiscamingue include northern pike, yellow perch, walleye, white sucker and brown bullhead. Records at this level tell you what is in the area. On Lac Carotte that means starting tight and working out.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Temperature averages peak at 17°C in July and bottom out at -15°C in January. The year splits cleanly: hard water, then open water. Firm cover through the cold months, then open water from late April. Break-up sits around late April on average, with the water closing again about late November. Right after break-up, and again as the nights sharpen, is when to go. Keep it in mind when planning a trip to Lac Carotte.

• Tackle & Baits

  Ownership and access are not documented in what we hold. The map shows no ramp or car park nearby, so this is a walk-in water. A wire trace and a big bright lure handle the pike; deep water asks for a heavier spoon. Some banks are open only from a marked point. Rules for boats are stricter than rules for the bank in many places. The nearest alternative is Lac des Gazounes, 1.3 km out. Treat Lac Carotte as unsettled until someone local tells you otherwise.