Réserve faunique de Portneuf

The waters of the reserve abound with a variety of trout: speckled trout, lake trout, Arctic char, and splake. The musky, also called the freshwater shark, can be found in the Desrochers sector in the western part of the reserve. A gas-powered motor (max. 9.9 hp) may be used on all fishing lakes in Réserve faunique de Portneuf.

Close to 150 lakes and 11 rivers are scattered among the 5 accommodations sectors:

• Batiscan
• Travers-Lapeyrère
• Desrochers
• Rivière-à-Pierre
• Bellevue

There's 3 new registration centre :

• Lac Bellevue
• Lac de Travers
• Lac Desrochers

Catch and possession limits:

• Speckled trout: a total of 10
• Artic char: a total of 5
• Lake trout and splake: a total of 2
• Musky: a total of 2

In order to promote better quality fishing, the catch limit is lower than the regulation limit on certain lakes.

Be Part of the Club!

The "2-Pounder Club" was created specially to immortalize the exploits of anglers who catch fish weighing more than 2 pounds in the lakes of Réserve faunique de Portneuf. The 5 most spectacular catches for each species are published every year.

Periods:

• May 11 to September 3, 2012
• May 10 to September 2, 2013

See the Top 5

Fishing map

Fishing statistics

Some 7 lakes and 11 rivers are reserved for day fishing. During the season, the lakes will be open for musky fishing in the Desrochers sector. Ask the wildlife reserve staff for information and to make reservations.

Periods:

• May 11 to September 3, 2012
• June 15 to September 3, 2012 (musky fishing in lac de la Digue only, with Sépaq Boat)

Fishing statistics

On the banks of 11 rivers in Réserve faunique de Portneuf, short trails that start from main roads and secondary roads give visitors access to the best fishing sites: : Aulnes, Batiscan, Blanche, Bostonnais, Castor, Doucet, Serpentine, Jeannotte, Miguick, Rivière-à-Pierre and Vermillon rivers. No reservations are required. Just get your right of access at the registration centre.

Period: May 11 to September 3, 2012

Fishing plan

You can pick wild blueberries and raspberries in the reserve.

Period: July and August

Salt licks have been set up in the reserve to attract bear and moose for observation. Ask about their location at the registration centre.

Ten trails invite you to discover the attractions of this beautiful natural setting. Also, a lot of the fishing and hunting trails are perfect for hiking in the forest. On a by-the-day basis or while staying in a cabin, in a hut or on a campground, set off to discover these generous natural spaces.

Period: mid-May to late October (except during moose hunting season)

Table of trails

The secondary roads are perfect for mountain biking. Ask at the registration centre before you go, since the trails are not marked.

All of the cabins in the wildlife reserve come with a rowboat for pleasure cruising. Make sure to bring enough life jackets for your children.

Canoe-Camping

There are two circuits of lakes for canoe-camping enthusiasts, suitable for novice to experienced canoeists (40 km). The mandatory starting point is at Lac Lapeyrère. Experienced groups can try the Jeannotte and Batiscan rivers.

Period: mid-May to Labour Day

Fédération québécoise du canot et du kayak : Info-débit (paddling conditions)

Rafting on Rivière Batiscan is offered by a partner. Find out more at the wildlife reserve by calling 418 323-2021.

Period: April to mid-May (depending on rate of flow and the level of the water)

Picnic areas are available for discovering different parts of Réserve faunique de Portneuf:

• Chute de la Marmite
• Lac Jumeaux
• Lac Leneuf
• Rivière Blanche/Riviève Jeanotte/Road 2 junction
• Lac Lapeyrère
• Camping Bellevue

Period: May to September

Several hundred kilometres of trails cut through the territory, thus giving you access to coveted species like Ruffed Grouse, Spruce Grouse and the snowshoe hare. This activity can be combined with a fishing trip (musky).

You can also hunt migratory birds if you hold a migratory game bird hunting permit in addition to a small game hunting licence.

Hare Snaring

You can also trap hare near the accommodations sectors. All you need is an annual right of access.

Periods:

• October 5 to December 16, 2012
• October 6, 2012 to March 31, 2013 (hare snaring)

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: October 6 to December 16, 2012

Map of sector

Réserve faunique de Portneuf is part of provincial hunting zone 27 west. Moose hunting is limited by a quota in the reserve and subject to random draw. Harvesting of males and calves is allowed each year and some permits for female moose are issued each fall through a random draw. The territory is divided into 21 hunting sectors.

Density: over 5 animals/10 km²

Period: September 4 to October 4, 2012

Hunting regulations for this wildlife reserve

Hunting statistics

Spring black bear hunting is prized by hunters around the world. It's a quality experience that offers carefully planned still-hunting. The reserve offers European plan packages with or without a guide, in certain areas. Trophy hunters choose this reserve for the quality of its wildlife. The average hunting success rate from 2003 to 2009 was 80%.

Period: May 21 to June 15, 2012

All cross country skiing buffs can enjoy this network whether they are staying at the reserve or visiting for the day. Reserve faunique de Portneuf offers 18 cabins linked by 2 networks of cross country skiing and snowshoeing trails that are accessible from the cabins. There are a total of 50 km of marked and groomed trails. Ten warming huts provide skiers with places to take a break.

Fifteen snowshoeing routes are available. You can also enjoy this activity near the cabins.

Table of trails

Period: mid-December to mid-March (depending on snow conditions)

Snow tubing hills are near some cabins. The longest is at Lac Travers. Inner tubes provided.

Period: mid-December to late March (depending on snow conditions)

There is a skating rink near Lac Travers. Skaters appreciate the warming hut.

Period: mid-December to late March (depending on ice conditions)

Two bodies of water are reserved for trout ice fishing: Lac Stein and Lac Lindsay. This activity is offered only to people who are staying in the reserve. Fishing access rights are not included in the price of accommodations. There is a warming hut at Lac Lindsay and trout fishing gear can be rented. Québec fishing licence required.

Period: mid-December to mid-March (depending on ice conditions)

The Québec Snowmobiling Federation's Trans Québec Trail crosses the territory of the reserve over a distance of 40 km. Driving off this trail is strictly prohibited.

Map and trail conditions

Package

A family package for 2 adults and 2 children under 18 is offered on weekdays from early July to early September.

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.

A family hunting package under the European Plan (cabin, 4 days) is offered through 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 Portneuf, a hunting licence for adult female moose is issued to one of the children in each group.

Package

A family package for 2 adults and their children under 18 is available  from early July to early September.

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.

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

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

Group campgrounds allow young people under 18 to camp for a cut rate of $5 per person per night.