ZEC du Chapeau-de-Paille

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 ​​.

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 on the western slope of the valley of the Saint-Maurice river and on the north slope of the Matawin river.



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 (. 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 (. 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.

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