ZEC des Martres

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.



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: ; width: ; altitude: 809 m), 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 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 (. 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 (. 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.