Covering an area of nearly 14,000 square kilometres, and stretching northwest into the Abitibi-Témiscamingue region, the La Vérendrye Wildlife Preserve is one of Quebec’s largest parks. Travellers along the northern route of the Trans-Canada Highway, or Highway 117, will be familiar with this vast preserve, since it takes about two hours -- and a daunting 180 kilometres -- before one has crossed the park!
La Vérendre is famous for its lakes. Indeed, there are over 4,000 of them! The largest are Grand Lac Victoria and two immense reservoirs, Cabonga and Dozois.
Not surprisingly, La Vérendre is a popular destination for fishermen. Fish species found in the preserve include walleye, northern pike, sturgeon, smallmouth bass, lake trout, and speckled trout. During the fall, hunting is a major draw. Game animals include moose, bear, and deer.
For nature lovers, La Vérendrye has much to offer. Forty-seven campgrounds (and 1,250 campsites) are spread out in different locations across the park. Other facilities include a permanent exhibition on wildlife at the southern registration centre, and special interpretive trails on local flora and fauna. For more information on La Vérendrye Wildlife Preserve, including rates and contact information, click here: https://www.sepaq.com/rf/lvy/index.dot?language_id=1