Mastigouche Wildlife Reserve

Mastigouche Wildlife Reserve is a large protected area spanning multiple communities across the Mauricie and Lanaudière regions. It contains hundreds of lakes and rivers that support diverse outdoor activities throughout the year.

The area began as a private hunting reserve created in 1881 for club members only. It was converted into a public protected area in 1971 and has been open to the public since then.

The name Mastigouche comes from Atikamekw or Algonquin languages and reflects the region's forest character. Visitors can see how Indigenous peoples shaped this territory as a hunting and fishing ground for generations.

Access to the reserve is available through different entry points in the surrounding communities, with information available at warden stations. Visitors should plan ahead to determine which areas work best for their chosen activities.

Lac Sorcier contains a rare population of Atlantic salmon that club members introduced from another lake in the 1920s. This isolated fish population represents an early attempt at fish restoration in the region.

Location: Saint-Alexis-des-Monts

Location: Mandeville

Location: Saint-Zénon

Location: Saint-Michel-des-Saints

Location: Baie-de-la-Bouteille

Location: Lac-Minaki

Inception: 1971

Operator: Sépaq

Website: http://sepaq.com/rf/mas/fr

GPS coordinates: 46.66667,-73.50000

Latest update: December 14, 2025 11:03