When people talk about "Laurentians," they think Mont-Tremblant, Sainte-Adèle, Saint-Sauveur. But the southern Laurentians have dozens of lakes — and a handful really stand out.
1. Lake Barron (Gore)
0.888 km² · 33.9 m deep · navigable (low-power motors) · riverside access · low traffic. The rare combination of deep, navigable, uncrowded. Full guide.
2. Lake Sables (Sainte-Agathe)
6.3 km² · 23.4 m deep · all motors · public beaches · high summer traffic. Sainte-Agathe's animation hub, restaurants on the water.
3. Lake Manitou (Ivry-sur-le-Lac)
13 km² · 90 m deep · all motors · mostly riverside · medium traffic. Exceptional water clarity, impressive depth.
4. Lake Saint-Joseph
7.4 km² · 49 m deep · all motors · public beach · medium-high. Water quality + family atmosphere.
5. Lake Long (Morin-Heights)
0.6 km² · 9 m · no motors · municipal beach · medium. The quiet option par excellence.
6. Lake Beattie (Gore)
0.4 km² · 12 m · electric only · supervised beach at the regional park · low-medium. Perfect for young families.
7. Lake Tremblant
9.5 km² · 41 m · all motors · cruises + beaches · very high. The iconic Laurentian lake. Touristy.
Which to choose
- Quiet + navigable → Lake Barron · Barron Lakehouse
- Big summer vibe → Sables or Tremblant
- Paddleboard without motors → Long or Beattie
- Extreme depth + clarity → Manitou