Outfitters and the Papineau-Labelle reserve, a practical guide

There are two ways to hunt and fish in La Petite-Nation. On open zone 10 territory, with its rules and its neighbours. Or behind a gate: the wildlife reserve, an outfitter (a pourvoirie), a private reserve. You pay for access, but you get lakes that don't see three boats a day and people who know the ground.

One thing before anything else: inside a wildlife reserve or an exclusive-rights outfitter, the rules can differ from the zone's. Dates, quotas, gear, even if you can bring your own boat. Ask whoever runs the territory, not the guy at the gas station.

Papineau-Labelle wildlife reserve

Québec's southernmost wildlife reserve. More than 1,600 km² and over 760 lakes, straddling the Outaouais and the Laurentians. For hunting, it's zone 10 East. The Sépaq runs it, and the official info is on sepaq.com.

Getting in

Two check-ins on the Petite-Nation side, open daily 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Main number: 819 454-2011.

• Val-des-Bois check-in: 443, route 309 (ext. 5460).
• Gagnon check-in: 5000, chemin du Lac-Gagnon Ouest, Duhamel (ext. 5470). The northern gateway, at the end of chemin du Lac-Gagnon. Canoe rentals.

The Pie-IX entrance is closed for good. If an old GPS sends you there, ignore it.

Day fishing

In 2026, day fishing runs May 15 to September 15, depending on the lake. Brook trout, lake trout and walleye. From the Gagnon check-in you reach lakes like Preston, Montjoie, Joinville, Marie-Le Franc, Paul and Philippe.

Lac Preston is the headliner: 770 hectares, shared with La Minerve, 26 km from the Gagnon check-in. Lake trout and walleye in spring, bass from June 15. Motors 9.9 hp max.

Quota hunts

Moose and deer in the reserve are quota hunts, by draw or booking. The 2026 periods:

If you're only there to hike: during the big-game hunt, blaze orange is mandatory on reserve trails. Not optional.

Winter too

Around the Gagnon check-in, about 16 km north of Duhamel village, Club Skira, a crew of volunteers, opens and grooms more than 40 km of backcountry ski and snowshoe trails. The annual fee was $15 a person, paid at the check-in.

Pourvoirie Légendes des Bois, Duhamel

North of Duhamel at 1, chemin du Club des Douze. A 13.8 km² exclusive-rights outfitter, open year-round. Brook trout, rainbow trout and smallmouth bass in summer, ice fishing in winter. In the fall, deer, moose, black bear, grouse and hare. Lodging is a 38-person lodge plus four cabins, which makes it the closest thing around to a group camp. Good fit for a hunting party or a big family reunion.

Pourvoirie Chevreuil Blanc, Bowman

Across the Lièvre at 71, chemin Lacasse. Take the 309 to Val-des-Bois and cross the bridge into Bowman. Under an hour from Gatineau.

The exclusive territory covers 42.3 km² and 26 lakes: brook trout, rainbow trout and lake trout. For hunting it's white-tailed deer by bow, crossbow, muzzleloader or rifle. And this matters: the outfitter is in zone 10 West, so its hunting dates aren't the same as the rest of La Petite-Nation. Twenty-eight cabins.

Pourvoirie de la Lièvre, Bowman

On Route 307, right on the Lièvre. Ten cabins, a boat ramp and game storage, which makes a real difference during a warm October. In the river: bass, walleye, pike, crappie, brook and rainbow trout. In summer they rent canoes, kayaks and motor boats. Dogs stay free, which is rare enough to mention.

Kenauk Nature, behind Montebello

A 265 km² private reserve with more than 65 lakes. Kenauk is about guided fishing and a fly-fishing school: rainbow trout, brook trout, catch-and-release lake trout, bass and pike. You can't bring your own boat; that's how they protect the lakes.

For hunting, it's guided moose and deer trips plus small game. Firearms only for moose and deer, and for deer, only bucks with six points or more are taken. Tells you a lot about the place. Toll-free: 1 800 567-6845.

Ranch d'Amérique, a different thing

In Saint-Émile-de-Suffolk, Ranch d'Amérique raises bison, elk, red deer and wild boar. It runs hunting expeditions on the ranch, sells its meat and processes hunters' game. Not an outfitter in the classic sense, but it's open all year.

Before you go

• Licence and hunter's certificate, as anywhere. Local vendors are listed in our 2026 hunting season piece.
• Big game: register within 48 hours, online or at Station Sport Nature in Val-des-Bois, right on your way home from the reserve.
• Don't count on cell service in the bush. Leave your plans with someone.

For fishing outside the outfitters, see our lake-by-lake fishing guide. Everything else is in the hunting and fishing guide.

Val-des-BoisDuhamelBowmanMontebelloSaint-Émile-de-Suffolk

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