Lac Hamel Fishing near Saint-Michel-des-Saints, Quebec

• Overview

  Lac Hamel lies in Lanaudière, Quebec. It stands 446 metres above sea level. The water covers some 39 hectares, so pick a bank rather than trying to cover it all. The edge runs 4.5 km or so, easy to work in an afternoon. On our Lanaudière list it sits near the top for size. Saint-Michel-des-Saints lies 28 km from the water. It is 128 km to Trois-Rivières, the nearest city. It lies deep inside the county rather than near an edge.

• Where to Fish on Lac Hamel

  Depth is unknown to us, and the shoreline is the better guide. Bays and points beat straight shoreline every time on water like this. The shallow end warms first and pulls fish in ahead of the rest. Public occurrence data for Lanaudière names pumpkinseed, smallmouth bass and yellow perch. County records show what lives in the area; the local agency holds the water-by-water list. Read Lac Hamel before you fish it and the day goes better.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Between January at about -16°C and July at about 17°C, the water has a wide range to work through. Spring and autumn carry the fishing; summer and winter test it. Winter fishing happens on the ice here, with open water back around early May. The season between ice runs from about early May to late November. Late spring and early autumn carry the year between them. The season on Lac Hamel follows the weather closely.

• Tackle & Baits

  The paperwork position is blank for this one. Records list it as a natural water body rather than an impoundment. No made access appears within a short radius, so plan to park on a verge and walk. A small crankbait along the drop and a worm in the thick stuff cover the bass. Season dates differ by species, so read the table. Some water is controlled locally without a sign saying so. Failing this one, try Lac Ducharme, 0.9 km away. Check the current arrangement for Lac Hamel.