Travel Story: My Canoe-Camping Experience at Poisson Blanc!

Hi there! I’m Cathryn, Customer Service Coordinator, and today I’m sharing the story of my three-day canoe-camping trip at the Poisson Blanc Reservoir in Outaouais. It’s a place I absolutely love—it allows me to completely disconnect and come back with a clear mind and a heart full of memories.

I’m not yet a paddling pro, but when it comes to planning an outdoor trip, I’m in my element! With a mix of passion and tips I’ve gathered from past adventures, I want to share my experience with you and maybe even inspire you to give it a try yourself. My goal is to help you be well prepared and make the most of your trip to the Poisson Blanc Reservoir.

If you want to unwind, reconnect with nature, and spend time outdoors, canoe-camping in Quebec—especially at the Poisson Blanc Reservoir—is an experience I 100% recommend. It’s only three hours from Montreal, so make sure to arrive early in the morning to avoid the afternoon winds.

I hope you enjoy reading this story and that my tips inspire you to plan your own canoe-camping trip there.

Back to Poisson Blanc for the Second Time

This summer, I returned to the Poisson Blanc Reservoir for the second time. My boyfriend, however, has been there four times since the pandemic—we both love the peace and beauty of the lake. He was the one who first introduced me to canoe-camping two years ago, and since then, we often go on camping trips together in Quebec. This year, we absolutely wanted to go back to share the experience with our friends, show them the beauty of the reservoir, and introduce them to canoe-camping. Poisson Blanc will always be a special place for us.

For those who have never been canoe-camping, the concept is pretty simple: you book a campsite directly on one of the many small islands on the reservoir, then paddle there by canoe. The starting point is the Poisson Blanc Welcome Pavilion, where you pick up your gear (canoe, paddles, life jackets, and a nautical safety kit) and get directions to your site. You’ll also get a map of the Poisson Blanc Reservoir—which stretches 23 km—so you can plan your route and locate the island access points.

Then, you paddle to your campsite—sometimes a quick 30-minute crossing, sometimes a 4+ hour adventure depending on your site. In our case, we paddled 12 km in two and a half hours, stopping halfway for a 30-minute lunch break after 6 km. We stayed at the same site from Friday to Sunday, bringing all the food and gear we needed.

Each site has a fire pit, picnic table, and very clean dry toilets, but you have to bring everything else (food, tent, sleeping bags, etc.). For food, we planned a menu for five people—but it’s basically the same as when it’s just my boyfriend and me. Here’s our weekend menu:

• Friday breakfast: at home—we left Montreal around 8 a.m.

• Friday lunch: tuna sandwich

• Friday dinner: vegetarian hot dogs

• Saturday breakfast: overnight oats (prepared early Friday morning)

• Saturday lunch: pasta salad

• Saturday dinner: chili

• Sunday breakfast: banana bread

• Sunday lunch: poutine on the way home—we got back to Montreal around 5 p.m.

We also brought snacks like veggies with dip, protein bars, cookies, and fruit. In the summer heat, we always bring a cooler to keep perishable food fresh, like the pasta salad and overnight oats.

The return trip took about two hours with the wind at our backs! Since we hadn’t planned Sunday lunch, I recommend leaving in the morning when you have more energy and the waves are calmer, so you can eat as soon as you arrive without being too hungry. In our case, we stopped at a roadside snack bar around 1:30 p.m., and we were starving!

Learning to paddle – a necessary minimum

Before you go, you should know that canoeing requires at least a bit of technique. My boyfriend taught me to paddle two years ago. He explained that the “J” stroke turns you right and the “C” stroke turns you left—honestly, I still don’t fully get it, but I do my part! Coordination between the front and back of the canoe is key: the person in the back steers, and the person in the front needs enough strength to propel the canoe forward. I’m always in the front! A few simple techniques can save you from wearing yourself out or going in circles.

Another factor people don’t always think about: the wind. On open water like the Poisson Blanc Reservoir, a headwind can significantly lengthen your travel time—sometimes even double it. Last year, it took us four hours to reach our site; this year, only two and a half, just because of the wind. My advice: arrive around 10 a.m., when the water is calmer and there’s usually less wind.

Organizing your gear is also crucial: keep light essentials within reach (sunglasses, sunscreen, water bottle, phone in a dry bag), and store heavy items (food, tent, cooler) in the middle to balance the canoe. Drink water regularly, as paddling can be demanding. And bring two bags for garbage and recycling to leave your site clean when you leave.

Prepare your equipment well

Preparation is one of the keys to a successful canoe-camping trip. If you're poorly equipped and it rains, your trip can quickly become a nightmare. I remember a trip to the Hautes-Gorges-de-la-Rivière-Malbaie in June (fabulous place!) where it rained almost every night. Thanks to our adapted equipment and waterproof clothing, we still had an incredible trip.

Continuing with my stay at Poisson Blanc, we always bring a large waterproof bag for our clothes and camping gear. My boyfriend also has a 60L barrel in which we put our food and everything we use for cooking. It's practical, especially at night, to prevent little squirrels from snooping. We never leave food lying around. If you're new to canoe camping, it's not essential to have a barrel, but it can be useful, especially if you have to portage between two islands. It is possible to portage between the different islands near Poisson Blanc, but it's advisable to consult one of the available maps to identify the different access points and plan your route. This year, we didn't need to portage, which makes the trip easier for beginners.

Practical advice for clothing

When paddling, I recommend wearing your swimsuit. As soon as you get really hot, there's nothing better than taking a quick dip to cool off! However, be aware that you might catch a few waves while paddling, so it's not uncommon to have a little water on you.

For this trip, we were a group of five people with a dog, and we tied our two canoes together: a three-bench canoe and a two-bench canoe. It was really fun, except maybe for the person steering in the back (haha – my boyfriend!) If you want to do this, make sure you have a good rope, that you have someone who can actually control a canoe, and that it's obviously allowed by your boat rental.

For clothing, it's really important to bring all types of clothing for all types of temperatures. You don't need a winter coat, but a good raincoat is definitely a must. For my part, I must admit that my Anorak is one of my essential camping coats. It's warm, windproof, waterproof, and very light! I wear it alone or over my teddy or sweatshirt, while preparing my coffee in the morning or late at night by the fire.

Another item I find really important is sandals or any other water shoes. Personally, I always wear my sandals. It's handy when you have to dock your canoe when you arrive at your destination. And often, the water can be rocky, so it's a good idea to have shoes that go in the water for swimming.

As I get chilly in the evenings, I always bring a blanket – especially my Fosfo blanket . It’s water-resistant, which is perfect for wet evenings, and our little dog Mate also took advantage of it to keep warm.

It sounds obvious, but when canoe camping, you're exposed to the sun all day. Even if it's cloudy, the reflection off the water can quickly burn you. So, don't forget to apply sunscreen regularly, wear a hat, and wear sunglasses!

The Charm of Poisson Blanc

Why do I love Poisson Blanc? The water is clear and truly beautiful, the campsites are clean, access to the water is just steps away, the canoes provided are always in excellent condition, and the pit toilets are well maintained. It's quiet, it's beautiful, and you can really feel like you're somewhere else! Going during August means the water temperature is really warm, so swimming isn't as much of a pain!

With the end of summer approaching, I'm already feeling a little nostalgic thinking that I'll only go back next year, or maybe in the fall! We'll see...

Happy summer everyone! Enjoy the beauty of the Poisson Blanc Reservoir, its clear waters, its quiet little islands, and all the nature around it. And don't forget your anorak and Fosfo blanket for your next expedition!

See you in another camping story soon.