The ZEC du Chapeau-de-Paille is a controlled exploitation zone (ZEC) in the unorganized territories of Lac-Normand and Rivière-de-la-Savane of the MRC de Mékinac, in Mauricie.

This ZEC borders the Réserve faunique du Saint-Maurice to the east, to La Mauricie National Park to the south-east, to the Réserve faunique Mastigouche to the south, to Lac Taureau Regional Park to the southeast and to ZEC du Gros-Brochet to the north. It was incorporated in 1978.

ZEC du Chapeau-de-Paille is the second largest in surface area among all ZECs in Mauricie, as well as the tenth largest ZEC in Quebec. The 11 ZECs of Mauricie cover a total area of ​​7,318 km² (2,825 sq mi).

According to the Commission de toponymie du Québec, this toponym comes from the Chapeau-de-Paille stream in the northern sector of the ZEC. The origin of this toponymic designation would be attributed to a relief of land taking the shape of a hat.

This ZEC was formed from former territories of around 43 private hunting and fishing clubs. The former private club Metallos is recognized as having been one of the largest clubs in the current territory of the ZEC.

Understand

The ZEC du Chapeau-de-Paille is a hunting and fishing area of 1,270 km² (490 sq mi) on the western slope of the valley of the Saint-Maurice river and on the north slope of the Matawin river.

• Bureau d'administration de la zec (ZEC administration office), Administrative office: 102, chemin des Bêtes Puantes, Trois-Rives, ☏ +1 819-537-7168, info@reseauzec.com. (updated Nov 2021)

Visitors must plan a fare to cross the toll bridge spanning the Saint-Maurice River and a second fare to travel on the Zec Chapeau-de-Paille. Entrance is via the Rivière-aux-Rats reception post or the secondary reception via the ZEC Wessonneau.

Go

The ZEC du Chapeau-de-Paille territory is accessible by road vehicle, ATV, snowmobile and even by air (via seaplanes).

By car

• From Montreal (268 km (167 mi). Time: 3 hr 24 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 route 155, cross the villages of Grandes-Piles and Saint-Roch-de-Mékinac, to the Mékinac bridge over the Saint-Maurice river, in the Rivière-Matawin sector, where the toll booth is located fees to cross the Mékinac bridge.
• From Quebec City (171 km (106 mi). Time: 2 hr 103 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), up to the Mékinac bridge, spanning the Saint-Maurice river, in the Rivière-Matawin sector, where the toll booth for the rights to cross the Mékinac bridge is located.

Do

• Randonnée pédestre (Hiking). (updated Nov 2021)
• Canotage et promenade en bateau (Canoeing and boating). (updated Nov 2021)
• Chasse aux gros gibiers (Big game hunting). Bow, crossbow and firearm hunting according to the authorized periods for moose, white-tailed deer and bears. (updated Nov 2021)
• Chasse aux petits gibiers (Small game hunting). Ruffed grouse and hare hunting (hunting or snaring). (updated Nov 2021)
• Pêche récréative (Sport fishing). Fishermen are required to respect fishing quotas. Species of fish subject to quotas: brook trout, landlocked salmon, pike, walleye, perch, lake trout and bass. (updated Nov 2021)

Winter time

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

Sleep

Camping

ZEC du Gros-Brochet offers three furnished campsites and several other rustic camping areas.

• Camping de la rivière (au Km 13) (River campsite (at Km 13)). Includes 17 seasonal campsites. (updated Nov 2021)
• Camping du galet (Pebble campsite). Includes 8 seasonal campsites. Campground at km 34.3 of Route 4, near the Matawin River. (updated Nov 2021)
• Camping du pin gris. Includes 8 seasonal campsites. Campground at km 58.8 of Route 4, near the Matawin River. Seasonal packages or daily rates. (updated Nov 2021)

Chalet, gîte, inn

• Prêt-à-camper (Ready to camp). Seven ready-to-camp units for 2 or 4 people along the Matawin River. Seasonal packages or daily rates. (updated Nov 2021)

Go next

• 1 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 (both 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)
• 2 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)
• 3 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)
• 4 Réserve faunique Mastigouche (Mastigouche Wildlife Reserve), ☏ +1 819-265-2075. Park administered by Sépaq straddling the Mauricie and the Lanaudière region. This park offers chalet rental, small game hunting, fishing, camping and ready-to-camp services. (updated Nov 2021)
• 5 Parc régional du lac Taureau (Taureau Lake Regional Park), ☏ +1 450-834-7750. Park administered by the MRC Matawinie in the Lanaudière region around Lac Taureau. It has 45 islands and 32 km of sandy shores. There are many recreational tourism activities, such as vacationing, boating, water sports and hiking trails. (updated Nov 2021)
• 6 Zec du Gros-Brochet. Controlled exploitation zone (ZEC) created in 1978. A first reception station is 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)
• 7 Trois-Rives, ☏ +1 819 537-7168. Since 1972, the municipality of Trois-Rives (formerly designated "Municipalité Boucher" has five hamlets or villages: Saint-Joseph-de-Mékinac, Rivière-Matawin, Olscamps, Grande-Anse and part of Rivière-aux-Rats. Its economy is focused on forestry, agriculture and recreational tourism (vacation, hunting & fishing, swimming, snowmobiling, mountain biking, etc.) The Mékinac bridge erected at Matawin (over the Saint-Maurice river) gives privileged access to the ZEC du Chapeau -de-Paille and the Saint-Maurice wildlife reserve. (updated Nov 2021)