The plan for the Moisie river aquatic reserve was officially announced by the Government of Quebec in February 2003.

However, a commission of the Bureau of Public Hearings on the environment concluded that this was not economically justified, and could adversely affect the salmon population.

One of the councilors said the chief had not consulted enough with the community, and several people asked for a referendum if an agreement in principle was signed.

[3] Under the Natural Heritage Conservation Act, prohibited activities would include mining, and gas or petroleum development; exploration of underground resources that involves stripping, trenching, excavation or deforestation; forestry; industrial generation of hydroelectricity or other types of power; new vacation resorts; and earthwork, back-filling or construction work.

The river runs from north to south through the unorganized territories of Rivière-Mouchalagane, Rivière-Nipissis and Lac-Walker, and through the town of Moisie.

The river mouth is on the north shore of the Estuary of Saint Lawrence about 25 kilometres (16 mi) east of the town of Sept-Îles, Quebec.

[5] The proposed aquatic reserve is in the Grenville Province of the Canadian Shield, in the foothills of a mountain range formed almost 1,000 million years ago, with high and low hills, mounds and hummocks.

[6] The Moisie river rises in Ménistouc lake at an elevation of 520 metres (1,710 ft) and flows south for 363 kilometres (226 mi) to the Saint Lawrence Estuary.

[5] A map of the Ecological regions of Quebec shows the Aux Pékans River rising to the northwest of Fermont just west of the Spruce/lichen domain of the boreal zone.

The most common species is black spruce (Picea mariana), often growing with balsam fir (Abies balsamea).

[6] Near its mouth, south of the reserve, the river enters the eastern fir/white birch domain of the boreal zone.

There are four exclusive-right outfitting operations in the proposed reserve, covering 58.6 square kilometres (22.6 sq mi).