ZEC du Gros-Brochet

The ZEC du Gros-Brochet is a controlled exploitation zone (ZEC) on public territory straddling the territories of La Tuque and the regional county municipality (MRC) of Mékinac, in Mauricie, in Quebec, Canada.

This ZEC borders Zec du Chapeau-de-Paille to the south-east, ZEC Wessonneau to the east and ZEC Frémont to the north. It also borders the Némiskau outfitter to the north, the Aventure Nature Okane outfitter to the east and the Domaine Desmarais outfitter to the east. While the western part of the zec forms the limit of the administrative regions of Lanaudière and Mauricie. This ZEC was incorporated in 1978.

The Gros-Brochet ZEC has two reception stations:
 * des Pins Rouges, accessible from Saint-Michel-des-Saints. Route: take Chemin Desaulnais on the left; then the Manawan road, on the right. After 16 km on the Manawan road, take the dam road on the right; from there, follow the signs to reach the Pins Rouge reception post;
 * via the ZEC Wessonneau, accessible by Rivière-aux-Rats, accessible by road 155 which runs along the east bank of the Saint-Maurice river; cross the Gaston-Fortin bridge, at the hamlet of Rivière-aux-Rats, spanning the Saint-Maurice river; go to the ZEC Wessonneau reception station, then cross the latter ZEC until you reach the entrance to the Gros-Brochet zec. Visitors arriving by motor vehicle and heading towards the Gros-Brochet zec must register at the ZEC Wessonneau reception desk.



Understand
The Gros-Brochet ZEC is a 1439 km2 hunting and fishing area located on the western slope of the Saint-Maurice river and on the northern slope of the Matawin river. This ZEC is crossed by the rivers Vermillon, Picard and de la Savanne.

This ZEC has 568 lakes, 105 of which are used for fishing; as well as four rivers, two of which are used for fishing.

The users of the territories can do several recreotourism type activities: berry picking, canoeing, camping, snowshoeing, hunting & fishing, mountain biking, and snowmobiling. ATV enthusiasts have access to hundreds of kilometers by several forest paths. The main attractions of the ZEC are the fall of the Gilaredo dam and the Sylvestre falls. In addition, the Lac des Pins Rouges offers sandy beaches. The Pins Rouges circuit offers great sensations in canoe camping.

Each summer, volunteers stock fish in various lakes. In the summer of 2021, twelve lakes were stocked with more than 7,200 8- to 12-inch brook trout.

Go
The ZEC du Gros-Brochet territory is accessible by road vehicle, ATV, snowmobile and even by air (via seaplanes). Route to get to the Pins Rouges reception post, via Saint-Michel-des-Saints:

By car

 * From Montreal (. Time: 3 hr 7 min. Take highway 40 (north shore) eastbound, until the Joliette exit; take road 131 (northbound), pass near the town of Joliette, cross the villages of Saint-Félix-de-Valois, Saint-Jean-de-Matha, from Saint-Michel-des-Saints, and bypass Lake Taureau on the west side, to the Pins Rouge reception post.
 * From Quebec (city) (. Time: 4 hr 17 min. Take highway 40 (direction West) to Yamachiche; take route 138 and cross the village of Louiseville; take road 348 (northbound) passing through the village of Saint-Ursule, Saint-Édouard-de-Maskinongé, Saint-Didace, Saint-Damien, and Saint-Émélie-de-l'Énergie; then take route 131 (northbound), cross the village of Saint-Michel-des-Saints, and bypass Taureau Lake on the west side, to the Pins Rouge reception post.

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