Not too far from Montreal
Bromont Lake
Bromont is more well known with its ski resort than the lake, obviously there must be a reason! The lake was affected by blue algaes at a time and there are quite a bit of the plants growing on the small beach. It is really not the best place to swim. However, as small as the beach, there are still 3 life guards on duty at the time that we were there.
Venice-en-Quebec
The name of the place sounds good, but the beach is really so so. First of all, ALL the beaches are private or owned by some companies. So there is a whole day parking or access fees of $12, even though you plan to stay just 2 hours. The lake is big, but you will be swimming with the birds feathers and some water plants.
Further from Montreal
Breeches Lake
It takes more than 3 hours to get here. The land surrounding the lake is privately owned. Including the membership fees to the club and taxes to the council, expected to pay more than one thousand per year for just having a chalet by this lake. A big parts of the land around this lake have the status as 'reserve'. The water is very clear and warm enough to swim during summer.
The same place, but in autumn, there is a different look. Nothing much to do at this time of the year.
Just for comparison. During winter, the snow is so thick that the foot path to the chalet was totally disappeared. It is so icy cold that the water tap got frozen, so no water supply. Luckily there is a spring water near by. The lake is also totally frozen and covered by the snow.
