Grand-Lac-Salé
Ecological Reserve

(Cadastral map of site also available: 72 K)

This ecological reserve is located in the south-central part of Anticosti Island near the Gulf of St. Lawrence. The site protects a huge system of fens and bogs of remarkable diversity and several other types of habitat (swamp, forest, shoreline, etc.). It also protects the largest saltmarsh and the largest lagoon (Lac salé) in the Anticosti-Minganie region; the latter is separated from the sea by a sand spit 3.2 kilometers long.

View towards south of the Grand-Lac-Salé Ecological Reserve. Photo: Renée Langevin

Anticosti Island has an abundant fauna. The Grand-Lac-Salé area is known above all for its large numbers of white-tailed deer. The rich flora of the site has attracted naturalists and botanists for many years. Besides the unique vegetation associated with the calcicolous elements in certain habitats, this priority site protects six plant species that are likely to be listed as threatened or vulnerable, and a dragonfly species about which little is so far known.

Already owned by the government, the huge Grand-Lac-Salé site encompassing 2339 hectares became an ecological reserve in 1994. Financial compensation was provided under St. Lawrence Vision 2000 to the Société des établissements de plein-air du Québec (SÉPAQ), an outfitter with exclusive rights to the area, to finalize the conditions for creating the reserve.