Fishing Lac Nottaway in Laurentides, Quebec

• Overview

  Look for Lac Nottaway in Laurentides, Quebec. Height above sea level is 432 metres. It runs to roughly 24 hectares — big enough to hold fish away from the bank, small enough to learn. About 2.9 km of bank, so nothing stays unexplored for long. Manawan sits 54 km from here and is the nearest stop. Ferme-Neuve lies 69 km off, Mont-Laurier another 86 km. The nearest edge is a long way off, so local rules apply throughout.

• Where to Fish on Lac Nottaway

  There is no published depth for this one, so start shallow and work out. A soft bed grows weed late into autumn, which keeps fish shallow. The shallow end warms first and pulls fish in ahead of the rest. Species logged across Laurentides include pumpkinseed, smallmouth bass and yellow perch. Records at this level tell you what is in the area. On Lac Nottaway a short move beats a long cast.

• Seasonal Patterns

  In an average year July sits at 17°C and January at -16°C. Long winters and short summers set the pattern. Count on hard cover from midwinter, and open water from early May. Expect the water usable from around early May until roughly mid November. The strongest runs come at either end of the open season. It sets the rhythm of the year at Lac Nottaway.

• Tackle & Baits

  We have no record of the rules that apply on this bank. No dam controls it, and the level follows the season. Mapping shows no built access close by; expect to walk in from wherever you can leave the car. 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. Signs go up and come down, so check on the day. The nearest alternative is Lac Nid d'Aigle, 4.3 km out. Signs at Lac Nottaway carry more weight than any list.