Lac Neil in Laurentides: How and When to Fish It

• Overview

  Lac Neil belongs to Laurentides, Quebec. It sits at 421 metres above sea level. Small at around 10 hectares: two anglers spread out cover most of it. The bank runs about 2.4 km all the way round, so one visit can cover most of it. Nearest town is Ferme-Neuve, 95 km off. The nearest city of size is Gatineau, 229 km away. There is no boundary nearby to worry about.

• Where to Fish on Lac Neil

  Depth here is unknown, so count the lead down before committing. Still water like this holds fish on the edges rather than out in the open. 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. Take it as the county picture rather than a promise for this water. On Lac Neil a short move beats a long cast.

• Seasonal Patterns

  In an average year July sits at 16°C and January at -17°C. The freeze holds for the better part of the year. Firm cover through the cold months, then open water from early May. Averages suggest open water from about early May through to roughly mid November. The weeks after the thaw and the ones before the freeze are the strongest. On Lac Neil the same rules apply, with local timing.

• Tackle & Baits

  Whether the bank is open is not something our records settle. This is a natural basin, not a dammed one. Nothing is mapped in the way of a ramp or car park within a short radius. A small crankbait along the drop and a worm in the thick stuff cover the bass. Check locally before you travel, because a wasted drive is a long one. Where the way in crosses private ground, ask first. Lac Dane sits 0.6 km off and takes the overflow. Nothing on Lac Neil should be assumed from this page alone.