Fishing at Lac Daniel, Lanaudière, Quebec

• Overview

  Lac Daniel lies in Lanaudière, in Quebec. The bank is 302 metres above sea level. Around 12 hectares of surface means several distinct areas to work. There is roughly 1.6 km of shoreline here, which is a short walk end to end. Saint-Jean-de-Matha sits 8.7 km from here and is the nearest stop. It is 65 km to Terrebonne, the nearest city. No border sits close enough to matter.

• Where to Fish on Lac Daniel

  There is no published depth for this one, so start shallow and work out. Read the surface for the wind lane, then fish the edge of it. On a natural lake the weed line and the shelf beyond it do the work. Records held for Lanaudière cover pumpkinseed, smallmouth bass, yellow perch and rock bass. Take it as the county picture rather than a promise for this water. Work Lac Daniel in sections rather than trying to cover it.

• Seasonal Patterns

  In an average year July sits at 18°C and January at -14°C. Four clear seasons, with a proper winter at one end. Count the season from break-up, usually late April. The lid tends to go about late April and return around late November. The weeks after the thaw and the ones before the freeze are the strongest. Time your trip to Lac Daniel by conditions rather than dates.

• Tackle & Baits

  We have no record of the rules that apply on this bank. It formed naturally, so levels move with rainfall rather than with a gate. No car park, ramp or path is recorded within easy reach of the shore. Bass water: a Texas-rigged worm near cover, a spinnerbait when you need to cover ground. Where a permit is needed, the nearest town usually sells it. Check whether bait restrictions apply before you buy any. If the gate is shut, Lac Beaudoin at 0.7 km is the nearest alternative. Where Lac Daniel is concerned, a local answer beats a written one.