Blue Fish Exploration Centre
Experience the outdoors in Quebec’s Pontiac region at the Blue Fish Centre’s lakefront research station and guest accommodations. The Centre occupies 440 meters of natural shoreline, and is enclosed under a canopy of mature Red and White Pines. Located forty minutes north of highway 148, the Centre serves as basecamp to those who seek nature at its finest!
The centre has four bedrooms, comfortably accommodating up to 10 guests, making it perfect for small and medium-sized groups. Bedroom 1 – two twin beds. Bedroom 2 – Double Bed. Bedroom 3 – two twin beds. Bedroom four two sets of twin bunk beds.
A fully equipped kitchen with propane stove and oven, 12V fridge, hot water on demand, and a wheelchair accessible bathroom underscores the Centre’s commitment to providing an experience that fits most all needs. When it’s time to get down to work, a 3×10 meter glassed-in sunroom featuring a spectacular table and chairs for 12 plus couches separated from the main living area can accommodate the entire group.
Looking for something more rustic, experience one of two wheelchair accessible Amish Sheds, each accommodates up to six guests. Or, stay in our 21 square meter canvas wall tent. All our accommodations are heated with a combination of direct vent propane heaters and/or woodstoves.
A second fully equipped kitchen with propane stove and fridge and hot-and-cold running water, and a large meeting / dining area serves up to 18 additional guests. Two wheelchair accessible outhouses take care of the rest.
All accommodations are located along a level access lakefront featuring wheelchair access to a sandy beach and swimming area. A large 3×16 meter cedar docks accessed via a ten-meter ramp with railings.
Program Participation:
The following programs are offered by Blue Fish Centre staff and experts associated with the Centre. Involvement can be arranged for guests visiting the Centre upon request.
Water Expeditions:
While aboard the wheelchair accessible Blue Fish Explorer II and the deep-V Blue Fish Explorer III, participants engage in water quality sample collection, and with conducting fish health, welfare and abundance surveys. The latest sonar, GPS navigation, bathymetric maps, and water testing and fish survey equipment facilitate the research, as do electric trolling motors capable of quietly moving the Explorers and maintaining position when required.
Land Expeditions:
The Blue Fish Centre possesses sufficient 4×4 ATVs and side-by-sides to transport up to 15 people. Trailers capable of being towed by these all-terrain vehicles can carry up to 12 canoes / kayaks. The equipment extends the Centre’s capacity to investigate the surrounding area by means of an extensive network of off-road trails.
Water Quality:
Using water testing tools specific to fish health developed for Blue Fish Canada by Water Rangers, program participants will sample and record water quality indicators such as temperature, clarity, PH, salinity, conductivity, oxygen, E. coli, colour and smell. Data collected is assessed for quality and then up-loaded to DataStream for access by advocates and scientists.
Shoreline Resilience and restoration:
Participants learn to assess shoreline resilience to storms, droughts, ice and waves. Restoration options are developed that utilize native plants over other shoreline hardening strategies. The program includes both terrestrial and aquatic plants.
Fish habitat Protection, Restoration and creation:
Existing fish habitat is assessed using Blue Fish Canada’s 5-point evaluation toolkit. Spawning, nursery and feeding habitats are categorized as species specification. Habitat restoration and creation programs are developed, permits acquired, implemented and assessed over five years for effectiveness.
Fish health and Welfare:
Participants engage in activities designed to assess Fish safety, health, abundance and wellbeing., Threats are identified, and mitigation strategies are developed and implemented. Long-term effectiveness is monitored using direct and indirect observations and sample gathering.
Fishing:
Participants engage in assessing traditional fish handling and harvesting techniques using rigorous scientific testing methodologies. Results are integrated into Blue Fish Canada’s fish handling best practices specific to catch-and-release and sustainable and humane fish harvesting.
Nature photography:
Experts in nature photography provide participants with hands-on instruction on the use of digital photographic and video recording equipment. The emphasis is on underwater photography. Participants learn techniques for capturing and conveying the meaning behind the images.
Nature writing:
Experienced writers with extensive publishing credentials provide participants with instruction on giving voice to nature, documenting traditions and change, and expanding perspectives and possibilities. Participants learn to draw on their experience to convey truly meaningful stories.
Nature painting and carving:
Experts with strong experience working with a variety of mediums provide participants with guidance on conveying stories through art.
Nature music:
Musicians work with participants to explore how music and instruments can express the state of nature, while facilitating the development of one-health connections between listeners and nature.
Foraging Flora and Fauna:
Participants learn from expert foragers how to safely and sustainably harvest from nature’s bounty, while developing a deeper connection with nature by drawing nourishment from wild-grown food.
Indigenous Interpretation:
Participants receive instruction from First nations knowledgekeepers on how to respectfully and efficiently develop personal connections with nature while learning to harvest wild-grown food. Stories passed down for generations are shared providing participants with learnings on indigenous traditions and values.
Local experts:
Local experts draw on generations of knowledge to lead participants on explorations of nature while learning what, when and how to safely and sustainably forage for food. The stores of those who came before are told, providing participants with profound insight of early homesteaders.
Canoeing:
Participants take part in canoe explorations to discover nature that remains relatively unchanged. Skills are learned on how to move through nature efficiently, safely and respectfully by canoeing and portage.
Kayaking:
Participants use kayaks to explore remote areas of lakes and rivers inaccessible by land or boat. This includes flat sections of the nearby Coulonge River.
Paddleboards:
Participants learn to move across water using a paddle while standing on a light inflatable board. Paddlers are instructed on how to observe aquatic and other life forms up-close without posing threats.
Snorkeling:
Participants are taught to use masks, snorkels, fins and bellyboards to investigate fish and other aquatic animals in their habitat. Participants learn about the important role aquatic plants and other structures that provide terrestrial, birds and aquatic animals.
Scuba:
Experts lead certified SCUBA divers on the exploration of aquatic habitat found in deep sections of lakes. Participants learn to safely and efficiently drift rivers.
Bleu Fish Centre Accessibility
Wheelchair Access:
A system of relatively flat and hardened paths connects manual wheelchair users and others with the Blue Fish Centre’s many amenities. This includes sleeping, meeting, eating, washroom, docs and swimming facilities. All facilities can be accessed via wheelchair accessible ramps. Unfortunately, heavier electric powered chairs are not supported by the center’s infrastructure and equipment.
Low vision, Blind and Deaf-Blind:
The Blue Fish Centre is spread out over 3.5 hectares (7 acres). Way-finding can be a challenge, making even more difficult due to the numerous large pine trees. It’s important therefore to plan to visit the centre with a friend that you can count on to assist you with getting around without getting lost or hurt.
Service Animals:
All those who use animal service are welcome to visit the Centre. The property is not fenced, and wild animals such as bears and wolves are present in the area. Therefore, dogs must be kept on the leash at all times, and pet waste must be picked up and discarded properly. Those who use service animals must also ensure their animals do not engage in hunting activity and are friendly with other service animals. Those who use service animals other than dogs should check prior to booking your visit to ensure your animal does not pose a danger to yourself, itself, or others visiting the Centre.
Bleu Fish Centre Accessibility
Wheelchair Access:
A system of relatively flat and hardened paths connects manual wheelchair users and others with the Blue Fish Centre’s many amenities. This includes sleeping, meeting, eating, washroom, docs and swimming facilities. All facilities can be accessed via wheelchair accessible ramps. Unfortunately, heavier electric powered chairs are not supported by the center’s infrastructure and equipment.
Low vision, Blind and Deaf-Blind:
The Blue Fish Centre is spread out over 3.5 hectares (7 acres). Way-finding can be a challenge, making even more difficult due to the numerous large pine trees. It’s important therefore to plan to visit the centre with a friend that you can count on to assist you with getting around without getting lost or hurt.
Service Animals:
All those who use animal service are welcome to visit the Centre. The property is not fenced, and wild animals such as bears and wolves are present in the area. Therefore, dogs must be kept on the leash at all times, and pet waste must be picked up and discarded properly. Those who use service animals must also ensure their animals do not engage in hunting activity and are friendly with other service animals. Those who use service animals other than dogs should check prior to booking your visit to ensure your animal does not pose a danger to yourself, itself, or others visiting the Centre.
Bleu Fish Centre Accessibility
Wheelchair Access:
A system of relatively flat and hardened paths connects manual wheelchair users and others with the Blue Fish Centre’s many amenities. This includes sleeping, meeting, eating, washroom, docs and swimming facilities. All facilities can be accessed via wheelchair accessible ramps. Unfortunately, heavier electric powered chairs are not supported by the center’s infrastructure and equipment.
Low vision, Blind and Deaf-Blind:
The Blue Fish Centre is spread out over 3.5 hectares (7 acres). Way-finding can be a challenge, making even more difficult due to the numerous large pine trees. It’s important therefore to plan to visit the centre with a friend that you can count on to assist you with getting around without getting lost or hurt.
Service Animals:
All those who use animal service are welcome to visit the Centre. The property is not fenced, and wild animals such as bears and wolves are present in the area. Therefore, dogs must be kept on the leash at all times, and pet waste must be picked up and discarded properly. Those who use service animals must also ensure their animals do not engage in hunting activity and are friendly with other service animals. Those who use service animals other than dogs should check prior to booking your visit to ensure your animal does not pose a danger to yourself, itself, or others visiting the Centre.
