Lac Charbonneau in Laurentides: How and When to Fish It

• Overview

  Lac Charbonneau lies within the bounds of Laurentides, Quebec. It lies 365 metres above sea level. About 6 hectares of surface, which puts the far bank inside easy sight. Morin-Heights sits 5.8 km from here and is the nearest stop. Further out sit Saint-Adolphe-d'Howard (6.4 km) and Val-Morin (7.5 km). There is no boundary nearby to worry about.

• Where to Fish on Lac Charbonneau

  Depth figures are not published for this one. Where the bottom changes texture, fish gather; find that line. Weed, then depth: that is the order to fish a water of this kind. Species logged across Laurentides include pumpkinseed, smallmouth bass and yellow perch. It is the county picture; the agency list is water-specific. On Lac Charbonneau the quiet end is the one worth the extra effort.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Long-run averages give July about 18°C and January about -14°C. The freeze arrives properly here and holds. Firm cover through the cold months, then open water from late April. On the long-run averages the water opens up around late April and starts locking again about late November. The open run goes from the thaw to the freeze, and April through October covers most of it. On Lac Charbonneau that shapes the whole year.

• Tackle & Baits

  Nothing we hold confirms whether access is permitted. A made slipway is 1.4 km from here, which settles the boat question. For the bass here, soft plastics worked slow along cover and a spinnerbait for searching do most of the work. Check locally before you travel, because a wasted drive is a long one. Some ground is open by custom rather than by right, so tread carefully. For a change of water, Lac la Roche is 0.8 km distant. Nothing here settles the position at Lac Charbonneau for certain.