The ZEC des Martres is a controlled harvesting zone located in the unorganized territory of Lac-Pikauba, in the regional county municipality (RCM) of Charlevoix, in the administrative region of the Capitale-Nationale, in Quebec.

This ZEC is affiliated with the provincial network of ZECs grouped within the Quebec Federation of ZEC Managers (FQGZ).

The ZEC reception desk is located at 2695, route 381, TNO Pikauba, i.e. at km 27. It is closed off-season, i.e. from December to mid-May. Self-registration is mandatory in any time outside opening hours.

• 1 Bureau administratif de la ZEC (Administrative office of the zec), 250, 74e Rue Est, Québec City (reception centre is 10 km northwest of La Malbaie; take Chemin de la Vallée (on the east bank of the Rivière du Gouffre)), ☏ +1 418-476-5406, zecmartres@xplornet.com. (updated Jan 2022)

History

This ZEC was created in 1978, following the abolition of private hunting & fishing clubs on public lands. This ZEC is administered by the Association de plein air des Martres inc, which sees to the management and conservation of wildlife on the territory of the ZEC des Martres. The ZEC is self-financing mainly through the sale of membership cards, access rights, hunting and/or fishing packages as well as the rental of campsites.

The marten is the emblematic animal of the ZEC.

Recreational tourism activities

The main recreational and tourist activities on the territory of the ZEC are:

Summer activities

• canoe-camping;
• hiking (including observation of flora, fauna and landscapes);
• picking berries, picking mushrooms,
• Mountain bike,
• climbing,
• water activities (swimming at the beach, canoeing, kayaking, boating)
• fishing (fly and wading),
• canoe, kayak
• MTB

Winter activities

• snowshoe,
• snowmobile,
• White peach.

Main other services:

• Hunting accessories,
• Fishing accessories,
• Map of the territory,
• Rowboat rental,
• Long term parking.

Geography

ZEC des Martres takes its name from Lac des Martres (length: 6.4 km (4.0 mi); width: 1.3 km (0.81 mi); altitude: 809 metres (2,654 ft)), i.e. the largest body of water in the region. Lac des Martres is located between the territory of the Hautes-Gorges-de-la-rivière-Malbaie National Park and that of the Des Grands-Jardins National Park. This dam lake is almost donut-shaped because of its 1.4 km (0.87 mi) round peninsula connected to the mainland to the south by a narrow isthmus. Its emissary is the Erables stream.

The territory of the ZEC des Martres has 219 lakes, 150 of which are exploited for fishing. In addition, the zec operates 10 rivers for sport fishing. Its territory is part of the Charlevoix Biosphere Reserve, which was established in 1989 with the aim of preserving natural resources.

In the territory of the ZEC, the terrestrial and aquatic fauna is varied and certain species are numerous. In addition to the animal species usually present in the southern part of Quebec, caribou are counted there because the geographic location and climate correspond to their lifestyles.

The geographical location of the ZEC des Martres in Charlevoix is ​​favorable, because of its proximity to the Des Grands-Jardins National Park, the Hautes-Gorges-de-la-rivière-Malbaie National Park and of the Laurentides Wildlife Reserve. The territory of the zec offers many attractions for outdoor enthusiasts and recreational tourists: pronounced mountainous relief, sublime panoramas, magnificent valleys, forest cover, lakes suitable for fishing, as well as other natural attractions and wilderness.

Go

The ZEC des Martres is accessible by car or mountain bike. Its main entrance is 27 km along la route 381.

By car

• From Tadoussac (140 km (87 mi). Time: 2 hr 9 min. Take the Tadoussac-Baie-Sainte-Catherine ferry; take route 138 (eastbound), until after the bridge over the Rivière du Gouffre (at the limit of Clermont and Baie-Saint-Paul); take route 381 (northbound), up to km 27 in the ZEC.
• From Quebec City (129 km (80 mi). Time: 1 hr 34 min. Rake Route 138 (eastbound) to Baie-Saint-Paul (near the limit of Saint-Urbain); take route 381 (northbound), up to km 27 in the ZEC.

Do

• Sentier du Mont de l'Alouette. Expected duration: 45 minutes ascent. This trail is considered short and easy, despite its elevation. In the winter season, the ascent takes between one and two hours, depending on the snow and weather conditions. The starting point of the trail is at the entrance to sector 3 (at km 35 of route 381). Hikers take the snow-cleared path on the compacted bottom of the Sitec mine. Hikers can park their vehicle after the 4th km, at the fork (on the right) which leads to Lac de la Baie. Then, the trail follows an old forest road by car over a length of about 1.5 km, partially skirting Lac de la Baie (length: 1.0 km; altitude: 898 m) on the south side. The ascent of the Alouette mountain can be done on foot, on snowshoes or on skis for about 2 km. Hikers should expect to encounter snowmobiles as they use the same approach section of the mountain as well as the trail up the mountain. At the bare summit of the mountain (i.e. at 1040 m), the 360-degree panoramic point of view is intoxicating, in particular the view overlooking the valley of the Ilets river, the valley of the Le Gros Bras and the silica mine. If the weather is clear, hikers can see the village of Saint-Aimé-des-Lacs, the St. Lawrence River and the wind turbines of Terres du Séminaire in the distance. (updated Jan 2022)
• Sentier du mont du Dôme (Mont du Dôme trail). A 7.8-km trail begins at the parking lot at km 23.2 of Route 381. This trail has an elevation gain of 360 m. At the top of Mont du Dôme, the view is breathtaking over the valley of the Gouffre river. Each hiker must complete the self-registration form which is available at the trailhead. (updated Jan 2022)
• Sentier des Falaises (Cliff Trail). In 2021, this trail is closed for repairs. (updated Jan 2022)
• Plage du Grand lac des Martres (Grand Martens lake beach). This beach is accessible by the chemin de la peninsula des Martres in sector 4. Hikers must follow the indications for the chalet de la Cheminée and continue on the same route. Hikers can do tent camping on site. (updated Jan 2022)
• Circuit canot-camping (Canoe-camping circuit). This canoe-camping course between 3 and 6 km consists of navigating on 4 lakes of the ZEC to reach a rustic camping site. The campsite is located on the island of Lac Côte-à-côte. Swimming is possible in the clear waters of Lake Wabano. The ZEC offers a canoe rental service (including paddles) and a safety kit. (updated Jan 2022)
• Chasse aux gros gibiers (Big game hunting). Bow, crossbow and firearm hunting according to authorized periods for moose and according to established quotas, white-tailed deer and black bear. The ZEC offers the rental of a bear hunting site, with a watchtower and a baited barrel. Hunters can consult hunting statistics for the past few years for each species on the ZEC's website. (updated Jan 2022)
• Chasse aux petits gibiers (Small game hunting). Grouse, grouse, pheasant and hare hunting. (updated Jan 2022)
• Sport fishing. Fishermen are required to respect fishing quotas according to species. Ice fishing is authorized from February 1 to March 31, on Lac de la Baie only (sector 3). The quotas are: Brook trout (max. 15 char including no more than 5 Arctic char), Arctic char (max. 5) and Atlantic salmon (limit of 1 small fish caught and kept, or 3 caught and returned to the water according to the contingent taken first). (updated Jan 2022)

Buy

• Rowboat rental (Location de chaloupes). The ZEC offers a fiberglass and aluminum boat rental service on twenty different lakes. The ZEC also offers for rent two rowboats with trailer and two canoes. Oars and a safety kit are included in the boat rental. (updated Jan 2022)

Sleep

• Chalet de la Cheminée (Chalet of the Chimney), Located on the shore of Lake Barley, in sector 4 (distance between the reception of the ZEC and the location of the yurt: 32 km; access possible with all types of vehicles. Yurt located near several lakes and hiking trails; accessible in winter by snowmobile). The chalet rental includes a rowboat at the dock in front of the chalet. Capacity of the chalet: 8 people. Installation: heating (propane or wood), stove (propane), running water (not drinkable), bathroom with shower, refrigerator (propane), electricity (solar), and dishes. (updated Jan 2022)

Camping

• Rustic camping (Camping rustique), throughout the territory. The ZEC offers users wild, rustic and unserviced camping at all times throughout its territory. Pitches are suggested by the receptionist. (updated Jan 2022)

Go next

• 1 Des Grands-Jardins National Park With an area of 318.9 km² (123.1 sq mi) and more than 120 bodies of water, Parc des Grands-Jardins is located in the unorganized territory of Lac-Pikauba, in the MRC of Charlevoix. This park constitutes a protected area aimed at the conservation of the natural heritage in which certain human activities are permitted. It is one of the central areas of the Charlevoix Biosphere Reserve, a status granted by UNESCO in 1988. The park is managed by the Quebec government through SÉPAQ. Visitors can enjoy several activities there in summer and winter: camping, canoeing, kayaking, hiking, fishing, cross-country skiing and snowshoeing.
• 2 Réserve faunique des Laurentides Formerly designated "Parc des Laurentides", this park covers 7,934 km² (3,063 sq mi) straddling the Capitale-Nationale and Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean regions. This park is part of Quebec's wildlife reserves.
• 3 Hautes-Gorges-de-la-rivière-Malbaie National Park This national park exposes magnificent cliffs, a setting of high mountains and a strongly boxed valley which was shaped during the great glacial eras. This park is distinguished by its bucolic landscapes, the Malbaie River where visitors can paddle (by canoe, kayak or paddle serf), its riverboat excursions, its panoramic hiking trails of various calibers in the valley and in the mountains, its bike trails, its shop and a campsite surrounded by incomparable nature. The Acropole-des-Draveurs trail is one of the most majestic in the province, with a drop of 800 m. This park offers bicycle/kayak rentals, a gift shop and a restaurant serving local Charlevoix products.
• 4 Lac-Pikauba An unorganized territory of the Charlevoix Regional County Municipality (RCM). This territory is renowned for recreational tourism activities in the wilderness, including vacationing, hunting, fishing, camping, as well as the observation of landscapes, flora and fauna.
• 5 Saint-Urbain A locality offering plenty of recreational and tourist activities (resorts, fishing, nautical activities, Trans-Canada hiking trails and local trails in the Grands Monts sector, observation of the nautre, flora and fauna). Several organizations offer many services: the zec des Martes, the Pic-bois outfitter and the Hautes-Gorges de la rivière Malbaie national park. Among the main events, there is the Charlevoix triathlon, the Charleboix rodeo (end of June).
• 6 Zec du Lac-au-Sable Controlled harvesting zone (ZEC) in the unorganized territory of Mont-Élie (Quebec); the reception desk is near the junction of chemin du Friche and chemin Snigole in Clermont. This zec is a territory for hunting and fishing, camping, hiking in nature; the zec offers certain services including boat rental on several lakes, boat ramps and various accommodation services (cottage, yurt and camping).