Port-Cartier–Sept-Îles
Réserve faunique du Saint‑Maurice
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Wildlife Reserves Réserve faunique du Saint-Maurice
Land-Use and Integrated Management
In 1668, a promise to grant a seigneury was made to Maurice Poulin. Not until 1723, however, did the fief and the river, then called the fleuve, become associated with the place name Saint-Maurice.
In 1886, some territories were leased for hunting and fishing. As logging developed, other leaseholds were established. Between 1886 and 1963, several cabins were built for members of private fish and game clubs.
In 1963, to remedy a shortage of free land accessible for hunting and fishing, the government took back land leased for hunting and fishing and created Réserve de chasse et de pêche du Saint-Maurice. Its operation was entrusted to a group of users called Syndicat de la réserve Saint-Maurice. They managed a 209-km2 territory including such lakes as Lac Brown, Lac Inman, Lac Wessoneau, Lac Baude, and Lac Normand. People could hunt and fish while staying in cabins or on campgrounds. Day fishing was also offered.
In 1966, the government decided to integrate this territory into its network of hunting and fishing reserves and to take over its management. In 1979, its status as a wildlife reserve was made official. In 1995, Réserve faunique du Saint-Maurice was transferred to Sépaq.
Logging led to the creation of the main accommodation facilities of Réserve faunique du Saint-Maurice, notably those by Lac Brown (J.J. Crête), Lac Wessonneau, and Lac Tousignant (C.I.P.).
Among the many species of wildlife, one especially retains attention, the kokanee.
A small population of kokanee salmon (Oncorhynchus nerka), probably unique east of the Rockies, was introduced into Lac Normand with the dismantling of Expo 67. It's the same species as the sockeye but is confined to a lake. The Canadian pavilion had kokanee eggs on display to show the public how this species developed during its embryonic stages. When the eggs were introduced into Lac Normand, the idea was to provide its lake trout with food. The kokanee managed to find sufficient conditions in Lac Normand to meet their needs for feeding and reproduction. Their plankton-feeding ability accounts in part for their survival and maintenance in this habitat.
When visiting Réserve faunique du Saint-Maurice, don't miss its loveliest attractions:
Chute du Vent
Lac Huguette lookout
Rocher Steamboat (rock)
Chutes Dunbar (waterfall)
Lac Normand hiking trails
Many sandy shores
245 lakes
3 rivers
several streams
Lake trout, speckled trout, landlocked salmon, pike, and a small population of kokanee salmon.
Wide variety of animals, including moose, white-tailed deer, bear, hare, and wolfe.
Over a hundred bird species including Ruffed Grouse, White-throated Sparrow, Bald Eagle and Common Loon.
Mixed forest with predominance of deciduous trees and made up mainly of birches, maples, firs, and spruce
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