Fishing at Lac Palette, Abitibi-Témiscamingue, Quebec

• Overview

  Look for Lac Palette in Abitibi-Témiscamingue, Quebec. It sits at 311 metres above sea level. This is a pocket water of some 6 hectares, and every part of it is reachable from the bank. Nearest town is Notre-Dame-du-Lac, 52 km off. Greater Sudbury is the closest city, 200 km away. Others close at hand: 1.1 km away is Lac Grant, Lac Duck within 2.1 km, 2.1 km away is Lac Balance, Lac du Poil within 2.7 km and 2.8 km away is Lac Morins. One jurisdiction covers this water end to end.

• Where to Fish on Lac Palette

  Without a survey to go on, judge depth from how the bank falls away. The shallow end warms first and pulls fish in ahead of the rest. This is a lake, so the margins and the first drop matter most. Species logged across Abitibi-Témiscamingue include northern pike, yellow perch, walleye, white sucker and brown bullhead. The list covers the county rather than this water alone, so treat it as a guide. Lac Palette gives up its fish to patience rather than distance.

• Seasonal Patterns

  July runs about 18°C on average, January about -15°C. A full turn of seasons, with the strongest sport on either side of summer. The lid usually sets by midwinter and gives way around late April. On the long-run averages the water opens up around late April and starts locking again about late November. Right after break-up, and again as the nights sharpen, is when to go. On Lac Palette the same rules apply, with local timing.

• Tackle & Baits

  Ownership and access are not documented in what we hold. No launch point is recorded nearby, so this is a bank water unless you carry a boat in. For the pike, wire up and throw larger lures along the weed edges. Rules differ from one water to the next round here. Some water is controlled locally without a sign saying so. Should this one be busy, Lac Grant is 1.1 km off. Check the position at Lac Palette before loading the car.