Lac de l'Eclair Fishing near Deep River, Quebec

• Overview

  The Outaouais end of Quebec holds Lac de l'Eclair. The ground around here is mixed forest. Around 14 hectares of surface means several distinct areas to work. Around 2.6 km of margin, front to back. Deep River is the closest place, 28 km off. For a city, Gatineau is 173 km off. Neighbouring water: Lac du Mene at about 2 km, Lac de l'Elan 2 km, Lac Celakovsky at about 2.3 km, Lac Michaux 2.6 km and Lac Malte at about 2.8 km. The nearest boundary is well away, so one set of rules covers the water.

• Where to Fish on Lac de l'Eclair

  Nothing in our records gives a depth for this one. Where the bottom changes texture, fish gather; find that line. On a natural lake the weed line and the shelf beyond it do the work. Reported across Outaouais: pumpkinseed, yellow perch, smallmouth bass and rainbow smelt. County records show the wider picture rather than this one place. Lac de l'Eclair gives up more to patience than to distance.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Seasonal averages run from -14°C in January up to 18°C in July. Winter shuts the surface down for months. After late April the shallows warm and the fish move up. Average temperatures cross freezing around late April in spring and again near late November in autumn. Fish feed hardest at the start and the close of the open season. It holds true on Lac de l'Eclair more years than not.

• Tackle & Baits

  Our records carry no access rule either way. It formed naturally, so levels move with rainfall rather than with a gate. No made access is recorded, so a short walk in is the likely arrangement. A small crankbait along the drop and a worm in the thick stuff cover the bass. A phone call first saves an afternoon. Check whether bait restrictions apply before you buy any. If the gate is shut, Lac du Mene at 2 km is the nearest alternative. For Lac de l'Eclair in particular, ask before you travel.