Hunting & fishing

Zones and seasons

• Hunting, zone 10 est : Most of the Papineau MRC, east of the Lièvre River: from Thurso up to Duhamel and Lac-des-Plages, including the Papineau-Labelle wildlife reserve.
• Hunting, zone 10 ouest : The west bank of the Lièvre River: whatever parts of Bowman, Val-des-Bois and Notre-Dame-de-la-Salette lie west of the river (Pourvoirie Chevreuil Blanc is here).
• Fishing, zone 10 : All of La Petite-Nation: Lac Simon, Papineau, de l'Argile, des Plages, the Lièvre and the Petite Nation rivers are all in fishing zone 10.

Dates change every year. Always check the official regulations before you go.

Good to know

• You need a hunter's certificate and a valid licence to hunt. Buy the licence online (Mon dossier chasse et pêche) or from a licence vendor. (quebec.ca, Hunting licences and certificate)
• For moose, zone 10 East (most of La Petite-Nation, east of the Lièvre River) only has a bow and crossbow season in 2026, September 26 to October 12. The October 10 to 18 firearm season applies to zone 10 West only. (quebec.ca, Moose hunting periods 2026-2027)
• As of 2026, you need a draw-won antlerless moose permit to take a moose with antlers under 10 cm in zones 1 to 12. (quebec.ca, Moose hunting periods)
• Blaze orange (2,580 cm² showing on back, shoulders and chest) is mandatory for you and anyone with you. Exceptions: turkey, migratory birds, snares, and moose, deer or bear during bow-and-crossbow-only seasons. (quebec.ca, Mandatory hunting vest)
• A deer, moose, black bear or turkey must be registered within 48 hours of leaving the hunting site, online (free) or at a registration station, and before it goes to the butcher. (quebec.ca, How to register your game)
• The unique transport tag number must be attached to the animal as soon as it's down. (quebec.ca, Game transport and export)
• In zone 10, no shooting from a public road, including 10 m on each side of the shoulder, or toward or across it. There's an exception for small game with small shot. (quebec.ca, Shooting from a public road)
• Hunting generally runs from 30 minutes before sunrise to 30 minutes after sunset. Turkey is morning only, until noon. (quebec.ca, Hunting hours; Wild turkey periods)
• Wildlife reserves, exclusive-rights outfitters and national parks can have different rules than the zone, and hunting is banned in national parks such as Plaisance. Check with whoever runs the territory. (quebec.ca, Zone 10 and 11 map; Hunting periods)
• You can't bring in or possess a whole deer-family carcass killed outside Québec, because of chronic wasting disease. (quebec.ca, Game transport and export)
• To fish, carry your licence and photo ID. Kids under 18 with a Pêche en herbe certificate don't need one. In 2026, the Fête de la pêche (licence-free fishing for residents) ran June 5 to 7. (quebec.ca, Fishing licence; Fête de la pêche)
• Many Petite-Nation lakes close to fishing from December 20 to March 31: Simon, Papineau, Gagnon, Iroquois, des Plages, de la Carpe, la Rouge, Saint-Sixte, Hawk, Lady, Smallian, Britannique, en Coeur, Long (Mayo), Grand lac à Roy, Grand lac du Pin Rouge, Blais, à la Croix, Viceroy and Petit lac Preston. (Sport fishing in Québec, zone 10 exceptions)
• Trout stays open in winter, December 20 to March 31, on Lac de la Ferme (Duhamel), Lac Croche and Lac Mulet (Montpellier) and Lac Vert (Val-des-Bois). (Sport fishing in Québec, zone 10 exceptions)
• Lake trout must be 55 cm or longer on Simon, Papineau, Gagnon, Viceroy, de l'Argile and Petit lac Preston (45 cm elsewhere in zone 10). (Sport fishing in Québec, zone 10 exceptions)
• In Duhamel, the Petite Nation River between the Route 321 bridge and the Preston's mouth, and the Preston River from its mouth to the Route 321 bridge, are closed to fishing all year. (Sport fishing in Québec, zone 10 exceptions)
• On Lac Simon, boat washing is mandatory before every launch. In Duhamel, motorboats must use a public or commercial ramp, and boats over 30 feet aren't allowed on Lac Simon. (Lac-Simon and Duhamel municipalities)

Official links

• 2026-2027 hunting seasons (all species)
• Hunting zones 10 and 11 map
• Fishing: zone 10 seasons, limits and exceptions
• Buy a licence online (Mon dossier chasse et pêche)
• Find a licence vendor
• Register your game
• Game registration stations
• Hunting in wildlife reserves (quota dates)
• Papineau-Labelle wildlife reserve (Sépaq)
• Migratory birds hunting regulations (Canada)
• Chasseurs généreux certified butchers
• Poaching hotline (SOS Braconnage): 1 800 463-2191