The ZEC Frémont is a controlled exploitation zone (ZEC) entirely in a forest zone on public territory in the territory of La Tuque Region, in Mauricie, in Quebec. ZEC Frémont was incorporated in 1978.

This ZEC borders the ZEC Wessonneau to the south, as well as the territories of the Lac Oscar outfitter and the Némiskau outfitter to the east. It lies west of the Saint-Maurice river and southwest of the town of La Tuque. The main reception station of the ZEC Frémont is located on the forest road R0-450, on the east side of Lake Vance.

Understand

The ZEC Frémont is a territory for recreational and tourism activities of 601 km² (232 sq mi) on the western slope of the valley of the Saint-Maurice river. In this ZEC, there are 250 lakes, 85 of which are used for recreational fishing and two rivers which are also used for fishing. This ZEC is crossed by the rivière Flamand West and by the stream West (ruisseau Ouest).

The users of the territories can do several recreotourism type activities: berry picking, canoeing, kayaking, camping, snowshoeing, hunting & fishing, mountain biking, snowmobiling, and water activities (swimming). ATV enthusiasts have access hundreds of kilometres by several forest roads.

• 1 ZEC Frémont administration office, Administrative office: C.P. 1502, Zec Frémont, Trois-Rivières, Québec, G9A 5L6, information@zecfremont.ca. (updated Nov 2021)

Go

The ZEC Frémont territory is accessible by road vehicle, ATV, snowmobile and even by air (via seaplanes).

By car

• From Montreal (384 km (239 mi). Time: 4 hr 25 min. Take highway 40 (north shore) eastbound, to Trois-Rivières; take highway 55 (northbound) to Grand-Mère, which becomes route 155 and cross the Saint-Maurice river bridge; take road 155, cross the villages of Grandes-Piles and Saint-Roch-de-Mékinac, to La Tuque. Take the forest road 461 (25) (westbound) to the ZEC reception post.
• From Quebec (city) (332 km (206 mi). Time: 4 hr 06 min. Take highway 40 (direction West), to Sainte-Anne-de-la-Pérade; take route 159 (northbound) passing through the village of Saint-Stanislas, Saint-Séverin, Saint-Tite and Saint-Roch-de-Mékinac; take route 155 (northbound) to La Tuque. Take the forest road 461 (25) (westbound) to the ZEC reception post.

Do

• Randonnée pédestre (Hiking). (updated Nov 2021)
• Canotage et promenade en bateau (Canoeing and boating). Canoe-camping is popular in the zec area. (updated Nov 2021)
• Chasse aux gros gibiers (Big game hunting). Hunters are asked to follow the moose, white-tailed deer and bear hunting quotas, taking into account the authorized periods. (updated Nov 2021)
• Chasse aux petits gibiers (Small game hunting). Hunters are asked to follow the regulations for bow, crossbow and firearm hunting for small game (grouse and grouse) and hare (hunting or snaring). (updated Nov 2021)
• Pêche récréative (Sport fishing). The ZEC offers many bodies of water exploited for sport fishing activities. Fishermen are required to respect daily fishing quotas according to species and to take into account lakes closed for fishing. They must also report the total number of catches reported and eaten, the exact name of the lake of each catch reported and eaten. Species of fish subject to quotas: brook trout, lake trout, perch, moulac and pike. Several dozen lakes in the zec have a launching ramp for pleasure craft. (updated Nov 2021)

Winter time

• Snowshoe hike. (updated Nov 2021)
• Cross-country skiing. (updated Nov 2021)

Sleep

Camping

ZEC Frémont does not have any campsites on its territory. Nature enthusiasts can consult the regulations in force at the reception desk. ZEC users can dispose of wastewater at the La Tuque rest area near Félix Leclerc park.

• Camping rustique saisonnier dans la zec (Seasonal rustic camping in the ZEC). Seasonal camping. (updated Nov 2021)

Go next

• 2 ZEC du Gros-Brochet. Controlled exploitation zone (ZEC) created in 1978. A first reception station is located at the southern end of the territory, just south of Lac des Pins-Rouges, therefore accessible via road 131 via Saint-Michel- Saints. The second reception station is on the east side of the Rivière-aux-rats bridge which spans the Saint-Maurice river. This ZEC extends into the cantons of Bisaillon, Dupuis, Laporte and Sincennes. (updated Nov 2021)
• 3 ZEC Wessonneau. Controlled exploitation zone (ZEC) covering the townships of Baril, Turcotte, Geoffrion and Polette. The reception station of the ZEC Wessonneau is west of the Saint-Maurice river, near the rivière aux Rats. (updated Nov 2021)
• 4 Réserve faunique du Saint-Maurice, ☏ +1 819-646-5687, portneuf@sepaq.com. Park administered by Sépaq on the west bank of the Saint-Maurice river and north of the Matawin river. This park offers chalet rental, small game hunting, fishing, camping and ready-to-camp services. The main entrance is the Mékinac bridge which spans the Saint-Maurice river. (updated Nov 2021)
• 5 La Tuque. City of Haute-Mauricie, in Quebec, with 11,000 inhabitants. The three Indian reserves which are landlocked on its territory, have their own administration. The territory of Haute-Mauricie (covering 28,099 square kilometres (10,849 sq mi)) has long been traversed and inhabited by Indigenous communities. Since the middle of the 19th century, Haute-Mauricie has experienced considerable economic development thanks to forestry and recreational tourism (vacationing, hunting & fishing, snowmobiling, mountain biking , nautical activities, observation of flora and fauna, boating, etc.) (updated Oct 2021)
• 6 Parc national de la Mauricie. National park offering several recreational and tourism activities: sport fishing, hiking (160 km of trails), cycling, canoeing, kayaking, swimming, interpretation trails, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, camping (in summer and in winter), canoe-camping, long hike in complete autonomy. A promenade road crosses the park right through. This park is bounded by the Matawin River to the north and the St-Maurice River to the east. It has two entrances: Saint-Mathieu and Saint-Jean-des-Piles. (updated Nov 2021)