Réserve faunique Rouge-Matawin

With a wide range of fish species in the reserve, you have a chance to fish for lake trout, walleye, pike, speckled trout and smallmouth bass. Over 450 bodies of water are accessible to anglers.

Those who want to stay overnight can reserve a fishing package with accommodations in a cabin, rustic shelter or tent cabin. You can also reserve a fishing-camping package for 2 or 3 people including 2 days of fishing and 2 nights of camping, plus a boat.

Catch and possession limits:

• Speckled trout: 7
• Northern pike and walleye: a total of 4 fish, but no more than 3 walleye
• Lake trout: 2
• Bass: 5
• Perch: 50

Periods:

• 2012 Season:
• May 11 to September 3, 2012 (La Macaza and Saint-Michel sectors)
• May 18 to September 3, 2012 (L'Ascension sector)
• 2013 Season:
• May 10 to September 2, 2013 (La Macaza and Saint-Michel sectors)
• May 17 to September 2, 2013 (L'Ascension sector)

Fishing statistics

Fishing plan with accommodation

Over 70 lakes are offered to day fishing enthusiasts (advance reservations). Anglers without reservations should go to the registration centre to choose a lake from among the bodies of water still available.

Catch and possession limits:

• Speckled trout: 7
• Northern pike and walleye: a total of 4 fish, but no more than 3 walleye
• Lake trout: 2
• Bass: 6

Period: May 11 to September 5, 2012

Reservation and Rules

Over 200 lakes are available for adventure fishing buffs. Adventure fishing is a by-the-day activity on lakes that are difficult to reach. These are lakes that have no signage and/or for which the condition of the fish populations is unknown. There is a maximum allowance of one boat per day, per lake, or 3 people per day for those fishing with waders. These lakes are reserved for adventurers (map, compass, GPS). Portages in ATVs are authorized.

Period: May 11 to September 5, 2012

Reservation and Rules

As part of a fishing-camping stay, you’ll have a chance to fish for brook trout, lake trout, northern pike, or walleye depending on the site you choose. The Lac Lenoir, Lac Rouge, and Lac Willard campgrounds are in the Ascension sector whereas the Matawin campground is accessible by the Saint-Michel-des-Saints entrance. The 2-night package includes a primitive campsite, a boat, and fishing access rights.

Periods:

• May 18 to September 10, 2012
• May 17 to September 2, 2013

A four-season SUV trail opened in Réserve faunique Rouge-Matawin in late November 2008. This 94-km trail cuts through the territory from west to east, linking the Laurentides and Lanaudière regions

The trail is closed during the hunting season, between September 9 and November 7, 2011.

The Rouge and Matawin rivers, and Lac Cinq-Doigts are great places for canoeing adventures and discoveries, both for beginners and experts.

Sea kayaking buffs will love the immensity and the many bays of Lac Cinq-Doigts.

For canoe-camping enthusiasts, Rivère Matawin is a jewel worth discovering. The peacefulness and variety of rapids and white-water sections make it an excellent river for intermediate-level canoeists.

Since it has many boat launch ramps, Rivière Matawin offers interesting possibilities for stays of a few days or just a few hours.

Canoe rental and transportation available at La Macaza and Saint-Michel-des-Saints Registration Centres. Reservations required for groups.

You can fish for pike on Rivière Matawin or for trout on Lac des Cinq-Doigts with a fishing right of access.

Experts at rapid shooting are very familiar with the 21 milles section on the Ascension side. This section is reserved for experienced canoeists.

There is an abundance of blueberries and raspberries in the wildlife reserve.

Period: July and August

Hundreds of kilometres of roads and trails give access to coveted species, such as Ruffed Grouse, Spruce Grouse and snowshoe hare. You can also hunt migratory birds if you hold a migratory game bird hunting permit in addition to a small game hunting licence.

Periods:

• September 3 to October 13, 2012 (La Macaza sector)
• October 5 to November 4, 2012 (Saint-Michel sector)

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.

Periods:

• October 6 to 13, 2012 (La Macaza sector)
• October 6 to November 4, 2012 (Saint-Michel sector)

See documentation about this activity

Réserve faunique Rouge-Matawin is part of provincial hunting zone 15 west. Moose hunting is limited by quotas in the wildlife reserves and is subject to random draw. It is practised in about twenty hunting sectors.

Period: September 16 to October 4, 2012

Hunting regulations for this wildlife reserve

Hunting statistics and other documents concerning hunting activities

The territory is divided into 26 white-tailed deer hunting sectors. Year after year, Réserve faunique Rouge-Matawin has a very enviable hunting success rate in the network.

Period: October 14 to November 5, 2012

Hunting statistics and other documents concerning hunting activities

The number 63 Trans-Québec trail links the Laurentides and Lanaudière regions. It crosses Réserve faunique Rouge-Matawin for a distance of 80 km. Please note that the gas station and restaurant that were located in the Saint-Michel sector have been CLOSED permanently.

Map and trail conditions

A family hunting package under the European plan is offered by random draw at 50% off the regular price for the whole group of hunters. To enter, at least one hunter must be a child 12 to 17 years old and have a hunter's certificate.

Children under 18, accompanied by an adult with a small game day hunting right of access, are allowed to hunt for free.

Package

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

At All Times

Children under 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.

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 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 cut rate 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.