
Explorer Mont Saint-Hilaire’s Lake
Lac Hertel is located at the heart of the mountain. Contrary to the popular belief that it is bottomless, the lake has a maximum depth of 9 metres (about 30 feet). The lake was formed by glaciers, which covered the mountain approximately 10,000 years ago. It is fed by three permanent streams, and drains to the south by way of a fourth. Each spring and fall, hundreds of Canadian geese take off from the waters of Lac Hertel. The lake also provides a habitat to around ten species of fish, including the pike, the rock bass and the yellow perch.