Réserve faunique des Chic-Chocs

Salmon fishing for a day is now an option on Rivière Madeleine.

Please note! The mid-season review of salmon runs has confirmed the critical situation, and new measures concerning the catch and keep limit for salmon on Rivière Madeleine have been announced by the Ministère de l'Environnement, de la Lutte contre les changements climatiques, de la Faune et des Parcs du Québec (MELCCFP). These will come into force on August 5, 2024, and will remain in effect until the end of the 2024 season. The situation will be reassessed for the 2025 fishing season. For more information on these new regulations, visit the MELCCFP website (in French only).

New catch and keep limit, effective until August 4, 2024:

• Daily catch and keep limit: One small salmon kept per angler or two salmon released per angler depending on the limit reached first.
• Only fly fishing is permitted.

New catch and keep limit, effective as of August 5, 2024:

• Mandatory release
• Two releases/angler/day
• Only fly fishing is permitted.

Details:

• Period: July 17 to September 13, 2024
• Two poles available in Grand-Sault sector and four available in Petit-Sault sector
• A fishing hole (pool #8) in the Grand-Sault sector and six holes (pools #1 to #6) in Petit-Sault sector
• The number of accessible holes may vary depending on hydrological conditions.
• Fishing hole (pool) location map (in French only)
• Day fishing plan - Rivière-Madeleine sector (in French only)

Rates 2024 (taxes not included):

• Resident: $98.25/day/pers.
• Non-resident: $148.88/day/pers.
• These rates are subject to the enactment of the Regulation to be published in the Gazette officielle du Québec.

Important:

• Grand-Sault sector: the right of access for Grand-Sault allows anglers to fish at a fishing hole in the sector.
• Petit-Sault sector: the right of access for Petit-Sault allows anglers to fish at six fishing holes in the sector.

Bookings by phone at 1-800-665-6527.

A dozen of lakes are reserved for day fishing. Several lakes are accessible with a personal boat. Boats are provided on certain bodies of water. Only personal watercraft that do not require towing are permitted (canoe, kayak, stand-up paddleboard, rowboat without trailer, personal motors).

The daily catch and possession limit per angler on these bodies of water is:

• Speckled trout: 7 (administrative catch and possession limit)
• Lake trout: 2 (Lac Sainte-Anne)

Period: May 24 to September 2, 2024

Rivière-Madeleine sector

Salmon fishing for a day is now an option on Rivière Madeleine. Find out more

Day fishing is also permitted in the stretch of coastline that includes the mouth of Rivière Madeleine, downstream of the 132 bridge (Zone 1), and a portion of the Gulf of St. Lawrence (Zone 21). You must pay your access fee to fish in this sector.

Catch limits and fishing periods for the main species

Zone 1 (Rivière Madeleine, downstream of the Route 132 bridge):

• Species: speckled trout, striped bass and other species

Zone 1 periods and regulatory conditions

Zone 21 (Gulf of St. Lawrence):

• Species: speckled trout, striped bass and other species

Zone 21 periods and regulatory conditions

Day fishing plan - Rivière-Madeleine sector (in French only)

Good to know! Government regulations impose an access fee for fishing in all Québec wildlife reserves. In 2024, Sépaq assumes the costs associated with this right of access valid only in the coastal portion (zones 1 and 21) for one day.

Regular and high seasons dates

Rates

Day Fishing Plan – 2024 (in French only)

Documentation and statistics

Practical guide for apprentice enthusiasts

Book

Are you interested in speckled trout fishing? There are at least 43 lakes distributed among 5 accommodation sectors (Lac-Adam, Lac-Mont-Louis, Lac-Madeleine, Lac-Sainte-Anne and Branche-Nord). Lake trout enthusiasts will want to check out Lac Sainte-Anne!

The daily catch and possession limit per angler on these bodies of water is:

• Speckled trout: 7 (administrative catch and possession limit)
• Lake trout: 2

Period: see the Fishing Package with Accomodations

Documentation and statistics

Book

The agate and geode mine at Lyall mountain is an open-air mine where you can find semi-precious stones.

Information

To increase your chances of seeing a moose, watchtowers are installed in different hunting sectors. Employees from the Lac Madeleine, Sainte-Anne and Mont-Louis sectors will be happy to provide more information to you.

Period: early June to Labour Day

Important: Wildlife watching is not permitted on the territory during the big game hunting season (September 4 to October 26, 2024).

Cohabitation with vulnerable or threatened species

We ask for your cooperation to ensure a harmonious cohabitation between visitors and the wildlife present on the territory. It is essential to preserve the peace and quiet of the various species by keeping a safe distance from them, especially those considered vulnerable or threatened, such as caribou. These species are very sensitive to disturbance and any situation that could lead to an interaction with humans must be avoided.

The mountains provide a beautiful environment for hikers. The trails, from easy to difficult level, will lead you to impressive viewpoints.

Please note that when caribou are present on the mountains offered for hiking, dogs are not allowed. An indication to this effect is then posted.

Table of trails

Period: early June to Labour Day

Important: Hiking is not permitted on the territory during the big game hunting season (September 4 to October 26, 2024).

Depending on the time of year, you can enjoy picking mushrooms, blueberries, and raspberries.

Period: early June to Labour Day

Enjoy hunting Ruffed Grouse, Spruce Grouse, and snowshoe hare with a stay in Lac Saint-Anne accommodation sector. You can also hunt migratory birds if you hold a migratory bird hunting licence in addition to a small game hunting licence.

Period: see the Small Game Hunting Package

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

Period:

• October 26 to November 11, 2024

Rates

According to the March 2015 inventory, the density of the moose population in Réserve faunique des Chic-Chocs is estimated at 11.1 moose/10 km2. The hunting success rate each year is one of the best in the wildlife reserves. Many packages are available under the Guided European plan and the European plan with cabin accommodations.

Moose hunting packages are also offered in the Rivière-Madeleine sector.

Hunting rights are usually issued through a random draw. However, following the calls to winners, some hunting sectors may still be available.

Period: see the Moose Hunting Package

Hunting regulations for this wildlife reserve

Hunting statistics

The mountains offer a dazzling backdrop for snowshoeing. The trails are intermediate to difficult and lead to the top of Hog Back mountain and Champ de Mars.

Réserve faunique des Chic-Chocs and Parc national de la Gaspésie apply a policy of proactive territorial management in order to respect the measures to protect the mountain caribou established by the Québec government. Thus, access to certain sectors may be restricted during winter. Make sure to check our website before your stay for the latest information.

Table and trail conditions

Please note that dogs are not allowed where an indication to this effect is posted. The following sectors are currently subject to such a prohibition, since the probability of caribou frequentation is high: Hog's Back, Vallières-Saint-Réal, Champs-de-Mars and Blanche-Lamontagne.

Accommodations for hikers

The four cabins in the Lac Saint-Anne sector are available in winter. They can access Mont Hog's Back and Mont Lyall, the Vallières-de-Saint-Réal as well as the Champ-de-Mars located a few minutes from the cabins.

Period: December to mid-April, depending on snow conditions

Table of trails

The areas suited to telemarking, snowboarding and alpine touring are Hog's Back and Lyall mountains, as well as the Vallières-de-Saint-Réal. Access to these spots requires a car ride and a walk that varies from 30 minutes to 3 hours. The difference in elevation varies between 100 and 350 metres.

Réserve faunique des Chic-Chocs and Parc national de la Gaspésie apply a policy of proactive territorial management in order to respect the measures to protect the mountain caribou established by the Québec government. Thus, access to certain sectors may be restricted during winter. Make sure to check our website before your stay for the latest information.

Table and trail conditions

Please note that dogs are not allowed where an indication to this effect is posted. The following sectors are currently subject to such a prohibition, since the probability of caribou frequentation is high: Hog's Back, Vallières-Saint-Réal, Champs-de-Mars and Blanche-Lamontagne.

Accommodations for skiers

The four cabins in the Lac Saint-Anne sector are available in winter for skiers. They can access Mont Hog's Back and Mont Lyall located a few minutes from the cabins.

Period: end of December to mid-April, depending on snow conditions

Information on avalanches

How to behave while moutain skiing

Skiing with caribou - Instructions to be followed

Rental of alpine touring ski and safety equipment as well as guided outings with an interpreter guide are offered by the Mountain School.

Family hunting packages under the European plan are offered by random draw at 25% 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 who holds a right of access for day fishing may fish free of charge.

Packages

Starting in July, a family package for 2 adults and their children under 18 is available from early July to early September.

At All Times

In addition, 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 5 or fewer adults
• 4 children for 6 or more adults.

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 5 or fewer adults
• 4 children for 6 or more adults.

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