Réserve faunique de Port-Cartier-Sept-Îles

Come and test your skill against the whims of large speckled trout and Atlantic salmon. Over 100 lakes and 15 rivers have some great surprises in store for you. The quality of the habitats and the scarcity of competing fish species favour native speckled trout in most of the lakes. The abundance of this resource allows a high catch and possession limit. Over 75% of the lakes in the reserve have never been fished! It is a true paradise for adventure and the discovery of untouched bodies of water. Spend the day or opt for a longer stay in a cabin or on a campground...and come back again!

Catch and possession limit*:

• Speckled trout: 20

* Some lakes have lower catch limits. When you arrive, get more information at the registration centre.

Periods:

• 2012 Season:
• May 25 to September 3, 2012 (with accommodations at Lac Walker)
• June 8 to September 3, 2012 (with accommodations at Lac Arthur)
• Day fishing (without accommodations) opens on May 11, 2012.
• 2013 Season:
• May 24 to September 2, 2013 (with accommodations at Lac Walker)
• June 7 to September 2, 2013 (with accommodations at Lac Arthur)
• Day fishing (without accommodations) opens on May 10, 2013.

Please note that Aboriginal people engage in hunting and fishing activities in the wildlife reserve.

Fishing statistics

Two large salmon rivers, Aux Rochers and MacDonald, cross the reserve and never cease to conquer the hearts of salmon fishing enthusiasts. L'Association de protection de la Rivière-aux-Rochers coordinates salmon day fishing. A salmon fishing package with accommodations makes fly fishing possible for visitors from farther afield. Mandatory catch-and-release for adult salmon applies during certain periods.

Recommended flies:

• Dry: Bomber Badger
• Streamer: Magog Smelt
• Salmon flies: Black Bear (Green Butt), Black Dose, Green Highlander, Rusty Rat

Periods:

• 2012 Season:
• June 8 to July 22, 2012 (salmon fishing package with accomodation)
• June 1 to September 15, 2012 (salmon fishing)
• 2013 Season:
• June 7 to July 21, 2013 (salmon fishing package with accomodation)
• June 1 to September 15, 2013 (salmon fishing)

Please note that Aboriginal people engage in hunting and fishing activities in the wildlife reserve.

Lac Simard and Lac Noyers are available for day fishing with a Sépaq boat. You can also use your own boat for day fishing on several of the reserve’s lakes. Reserve early up to a maximum of 4 months in advance and make your fishing activity coincide with a vacation getaway.

We recommend the use of a 2 - 20 hp gas motor.

Periods:

• May 11 to September 3, 2012
• Starting May 11, 2012, you can fish by purchasing access rights at the administration office. Find out which lakes are available by calling 418 766-2524.

Please note that Aboriginal people engage in hunting and fishing activities in the wildlife reserve.

No reservations are required for this type of fishing. It is offered on the Aux Rochers, MacDonald and Ronald rivers and certain streams.

Period: May 11 to September 3, 2012

Please note that Aboriginal people engage in hunting and fishing activities in the wildlife reserve.

When you rent a cabin, you will have access to a rowboat on the lake. You can also enjoy this relaxing activity, often with the whole family, by renting a rowboat at one of the registration centres.

Canoeing takes place on Lac Walker, a 30 km-long glacial lake with sandy shores and steep cliffs, and on Lac des Quatre-Lieues, access by waterway 1 km from the Lac Walker wharf.

The circuits of MacDonald and Aux Rochers rivers offer 52 km of pleasure to canoe-camping enthusiasts. You can canoe Rivière MacDonald (42 km) when the water is high, and there are several long portages. Rivière aux Rochers allows a downriver ride of 10 km at all times, but only for experienced canoeists. This 52-km circuit, with difficulty levels ranging from 1 to 6 (with rapids), is very popular.

Double your pleasure! Combine your favourite activity with fishing. Just purchase your fishing access rights upon arrival.

Period: June to September

Birdwatchers will appreciate Réserve faunique de Port-Cartier-Sept-Îles, particularly for the numerous birds of prey that frequent the reserve.

Period: June to September

Réserve faunique de Port-Cartier - Sept-Îles offers 3 hiking trails. De la Montagne trail is 2 km long. The Lac Carré trail offers 7 km of hiking. Lac Chute Mac Donald trail is a pleasant 1-km walk near the cabins, leading to a lookout, a footbridge and a breathtaking landscape.

Period: June to September

There is an abundance of blueberries and raspberries on the reserve.

Period: July and August

The small game hunting season lasts until January. Be on the lookout! Ruffed Grouse, Spruce Grouse and snowshoe hare may cross your path. In the reserve, small game hunting is practised on a by-the-day basis. However, you can also purchase a seasonal right of access. Don't forget that you can hunt migratory birds with a migratory game bird hunting permit in addition to a small game hunting licence.

Period: October 6, 2012 to January 15, 2013

Please note that Aboriginal people engage in hunting and fishing activities in the wildlife reserve.

Trapping

The beginning of the small game hunt also marks the start of the trapping season. Those interested in hare snaring (choice and distribution of trails) can obtain a seasonal right of access. 

Period: October 6, 2012 to April 30, 2013

Please note that Aboriginal people engage in hunting and fishing activities in the wildlife reserve.

Réserve faunique Port-Cartier-Sept-Iles belongs to provincial hunting zone #19 South. Moose hunting is limited by quota and subject to random draw. It's offered with 3 accommodation packages: cabin, rustic shelter, or campground. Groups of hunters can also enjoy a camping stay with an Amerindian guide upon reservation.

Combine your pleasures! During your stay, enjoy hunting small game and black bear, hare snaring and fishing for speckled trout in certain lakes.

Period: September 8 to October 5, 2012

Please note that Aboriginal people engage in hunting and fishing activities in the wildlife reserve.

Hunting regulations for this wildlife reserve

Hunting statistics

Spring black bear hunting takes place on a by-the-day basis. Réserve faunique de Port-Cartier-Sept-Îles is part of Hunting Zone 19 South where it is possible to hunt bear in the fall. This hunt is part of a package combining moose hunting and black bear hunting. For information, call the wildlife reserve management at 418 766-2524.

Periods:

• May 15 to June 30, 2012
• September 8 to October 5, 2012

Please note that Aboriginal people engage in hunting and fishing activities in the wildlife reserve.

This activity takes place in the winter on the wildlife reserve. A Québec fishing licence is required.

Period: December 1, 2011 to April 15, 2012

Please note that Aboriginal people engage in hunting and fishing activities in the wildlife reserve.

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.

Package

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

At All Times

Children under 18 are lodged free of charge 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

Package

A family fishing package for 2 adults and their children under 18 is available from:

• 2012 Season: July 15, 2012
• 2013 Season:
• July 14, 2013 (lac Walker)
• July 28, 2013 (lac Arthur)

At All Times

Children under 18 are lodged free of charge 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 fishing 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/person/ day.

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