Réserve faunique de Papineau-Labelle

Fishing buffs are attracted by the variety of species in the lakes and rivers of Réserve faunique de Papineau-Labelle. Speckled trout, lake trout, splake, bass, walleye and pike are found in over 700 bodies of water. Gas motors (max. 15 hp) are allowed. We strongly suggest washing your motor. Motors are available for rent.

To prevent the spread of Eurasian water-milfoil (exotic invasive plant), personal watercraft are prohibited on the lakes. They are only allowed on lakes reserved for adventure fishing. This measure does not apply to canoes, kayaks and inflatable boats inflated on site. 

Catch and possession limit:

• Bass: 6
• Pike: 4
• Walleye: 4
• Splake: 2
• Speckled trout: 10
• Lake trout: 2

To promote better fish quality, the catch limit for certain lakes is lower than the regulation limit.

Period: May 14 to September 6, 2010

Fishing Plan and Statistics

Réserve faunique de Papineau-Labelle offers an exceptional visual setting for backcountry skiing. Its 120 km of marked but ungroomed trails are for beginner- and intermediate-level skiers. The starting point is the Gagnon Registration Centre. You can also sleep in huts along the trails. Baggage transport service is available.

Period: late December 2009 to March 2010

Map of trails (In French only) (pdf: 1.86 MB)

Fact sheet (In French only) (pdf: 752 KB)

A partner offers dogsledding over the territory of Réserve faunique de Papineau-Labelle. For information, call: Le Domaine Rêve Blanc

Réserve faunique de Papineau-Labelle is part of provincial hunting zone 10. Moose hunting in the wildlife reserves is limited by quotas and subject to random draws. The territory is divided into 56 hunting sectors.

Density: 3.9/10 km2

Hunting success rate: over 50%

Periods:

• September 13 to 30, 2010
• October 1 to 7, 2010 (moose and white-tailed deer hunting combination)

Regulations for this wildlife reserve

Hunting statistics

There is a high success rate for deer hunting at Réserve faunique de Papineau-Labelle (47.4 % per group in 2009). There are 85 hunting sectors, 5 of which are allocated on 3-year leases.

Periods:

• October 1 to 7, 2010 (moose and white-tailed deer hunting combination)
• October 25 to November 14, 2010

Hunting statistics

Spring black bear hunting is offered under the European and American plan by 2 concession-holders:

• In the southern sector,  Pourvoirie La Lièvre, 819 454-2029
• In the northern sector, Pourvoirie du lac Berneuil, 819 436-4054

Period: May 15 to June 30, 2009

Hundreds of kilometres of forest roads and trails cover Réserve faunique de Papineau-Labelle and facilitate access to prized species such as the Ruffed Grouse and the snowshoe hare. You can also hunt migratory birds if you hold a migratory bird hunting licence in addition to a small game hunting licence.

Periods:

• September 7 to 13, 2009
• October 2 to 19, 2009

Hunting statistics

Small game hunting is available by the day. Hunters must purchase their right of access on line or at the reserve. The species you can hunt are Ruffed Grouse, Spruce Grouse and snowshoe hare.

Period: 

• September 7 to 13, 2009
• October 2 to 19, 2009
• November 22, 2009 to January 15, 2010

Over 600 lakes are available for adventure fishing buffs (map, compass, GPS) who have a boat or who fish with waders. You can camp by the lake you have chosen. We have very little information about the fishing potential of these lakes and on how to get to them. No telephone reservations. Access rights are issued at the registration centres.

List of bodies of water available for adventure fishing (In French only) (pdf: 363 KB)

Réserve faunique de Papineau-Labelle offers you the possibility of reserving a day of fishing with a boat on one of almost 60 lakes. Some bodies of water are available for wading.

Period: May 14 to September 6, 2010

Fishing statistics

The canoeing circuits in the area are mainly on lakes linked together by numerous portages (about 35) varying in length between 100 and 650 m. Some portages are 1 or more km long. The circuits range from 14.5 to 44 km and the starting and arrival point for all of them is Lac des Sept-Frères. Please note that canoe-campers must change campsites every day. At Lac Écho, campsites that can only be reached by waterway are available for several consecutive days. Guided excursions are also offered by Expéditions Tuckamor (819 326-3602).

Canoeing Down Rivière du Sourd

You can canoe down Rivière du Sourd, which is 48 km long, starting at Lac du Sourd and ending outside the wildlife reserve at the river's junction with Rivière du Lièvre. The route takes 2, 3 or 4 days. From start to finish, this river has an 80-metre difference in elevation. Consequently, canoeing enthusiasts wishing to do the course will have to negotiate a certain number of rapids (class I, II and III), chutes, falls, etc. The stretch of the river outside the limits of the reserve is neither marked nor developed. We recommend that you go down this river before June 24th. No canoe rentals are available for this activity.

Period: May 15 to September 7, 2009

Fact sheet (In French only) (pdf: 45 KB)

Canoe-camping map - northern section (In French only) (pdf: 820 KB)

Canoe-camping map - Rivière du Sourd (In French only) (pdf: 724 KB)

Twenty-two kilometres of easy and intermediate trails are available for short hikes. On these trails, you'll discover flora and fauna and views of the reserve's lakes and hills. Guided hikes are also available through Expéditions Tuckamor (819 326-3602).

Period: May to October (Except during the big game hunt)

Table of trails

An observation tower has been installed at Lac Lanthier to allow visitors to watch duck and deer species.

Period: May to October (except during the moose and white-tailed deer hunt)

There is an abundance of raspberries over the entire territory of Réserve faunique de Papineau-Labelle.

Moose

A 5-day family hunting package with camping accommodations is offered through a random draw at 50% off the regular price for the whole group of hunters. To be eligible, one of the hunters in the group must be a child between the ages of 12 and 17 who holds a hunter's certificate.

# In Réserve faunique de Papineau-Labelle, a hunting permit for female adult moose is granted to one of the children in each group.

White-Tailed Deer

A 5-day family hunting package under the European plan (cabin, rustic shelter and campground) is available through a random draw at 50% off the regular price for the whole group of hunters. To be eligible, one of the hunters in the group must be a child between the ages of 12 and 17 who holds a hunter's certificate.

A hunting permit for an antlerless deer will be assigned to a child of each group.

Package

A family package for 2 adults and 2 children under the age of 18 is offered on weekdays from early July to late August.

At All Times

Children under the age of 18 are lodged for free in relation to the number of adults at the time of reservation, according  to the following criteria:

• 2 children for 4 or fewer adults
• 4 children for 5 or more adults.

If cabin capacity allows, other children can stay for  a cut rate of $10/day/child.

Package

A family package for 2 adults and 2 children under 18 is available on weekdays from early July to late August.

At All Times

Children under 18 are lodged for free in relation to the number of adults at the time of reservation, based on the following criteria:

• 2 children for 4 or fewer adults
• 4 children for 5 or more adults.

If cabin capacity allows, additional children can stay for a cut rate of $10/day/child.

Children under 18 accompanied by an adult who holds a right of access for day fishing may fish free of charge.

Group campgrounds in the wildlife reserves allow young people to camp for a modest fee of $5/person/night.

Children under 18 accompanied by an adult can go canoe-camping for a cut rate of $4 per person, per day.