Least bittern / Petit BlongiosThe Gatineau River watershed is an ideal habitat for several species of terrestrial and aquatic wildlife. There are approximately 472 species, including 82 fish species, 18 amphibians, 14 reptiles, 308 birds and 50 mammals.

WalleyeThere are a diverse number of aquatic species. Up to 82 species of fish can be found within the watershed, including lake trout, brook trout and the walleye. In the Gatineau River, the dominant species are walleye, smallmouth and largemouth bass, perch, lake sturgeon, northern pike and channel catfish.

Between the Mercier dam and the Chute de la Montagne, there are nine spawning grounds the most important of which are located at the foot of the dam. Walleye uses one of the spawning grounds, which is downstream of the dam. The Baskatong reservoir provides a diverse range of habitat to at least 13 species of fish, including walleye, black doré, burbot, lake whitefish, longnose sucker, lake whitefish, yellow perch, white sucker, northern pike, lake sturgeon. In addition, there are 18 spawning sites located in tributaries of the reservoir.

Frog

A great variety of amphibians and reptiles live in the Outaouais region. This region is home to 18 amphibian species, made up mainly of urodeles and anurans spread throughout the entire area. Amongst these species, we find the four-toed salamander, likely to be designated as a threatened or vulnerable species, and the Northern chorus frog, a species designated as vulnerable. Unfortunately, since their habitat is not protected, many species end up living on private lands. An integrative approach should be adopted between government and private land owners.

Some bird species found in the watershed are the Ruffed Grouse, and recently Wild Turkey.

Wild Turkey / Dindon sauvageThe Outaouais region is home to 308 bird species of which 181 nest and 57 live in the area yearlong, 11 belong exclusively to the region, 24 are abundantly present here but rare elsewhere, and 14 are threatened or vulnerable. The ruffed grouse and the spruce grouse are the most well-known species living in the watershed area. The gray partridge remains in the southern part of the watershed and is very scattered. A favourable climate, the area’s strategic location and the soil pH are conducive to the presence of the American woodcock in some valleys south of the region. Finally, the wild turkey uses the southern part of the region and builds on the broadleaved forests home to a mix of eastern white pine and red pine to set up its habitat. Few migratory species can be found in the watershed area as they prefer the Ottawa River banks.

White-tailed Deer/Cerf de VirginieMammal Species

Large mammal species in the watershed are the white-tailed deer, the moose and the black bear. Smaller mammal species found in the watershed are the beaver, the muskrat, the American marten, the snowshoe hare, and the raccoon.

The white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) is found mainly in urban and semi-urban areas, especially where there is mixed hardwood forest; as this is the deer's favoured habitat. Historical forest disturbances in the watershed and certain standards relating to the forest cuts have encouraged the presence of the white-tailed deer. The Outaouais region has approximately 90 000 deers.