La Mauricie National Park of Canada

Fish and Game Clubs

Old Camps Along the Bank of Édouard Lake in the 1930s.
© Collection J.R. Simms

In the 19th and 20th centuries, forest workers met up with another type of visitor. These were rich Canadians and Americans who came to the region to hunt and fish. The first large private fish and game clubs were opened in this area: the Shawinigan Club, in 1883, the Laurentian Club, in 1886, and the Commodore Club, in 1905. Carefully selected members were allowed exclusive privileges over huge tracts of land.

On the western shore of lac à la Pêche, one can still see the Wabenaki and Andrew Lodges that recall the wealthy period of the private clubs. These lodges were owned by the Laurentian Club and were used respectively as a dining room for the members and as a home for the manager. At the time, the club also included an imposing residence for members, many service buildings and a huge vegetable garden.

These splendid log houses came under Federal ownership in 1972 and have been classified as heritage buildings. Today, lovers of the open air can stay there and enjoy the exceptional environment around them.

In 1970, the creation of the park meant bringing a halt to the activities of the 16 clubs on its land. Not as exclusive as the three great original clubs, six had been created during the period between 1940-1950 and seven others were less than ten years old. Historically, the clubs did play a role in protecting wildlife, since they prevented over-exploitation.

However, they also introduced non-native fish species into the area and permanently modified the aquatic ecosystems. From now on, it is up to the thousands of visitors to write a new page in the history of this region, a page devoted to conservation.