Matapédia River
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The Matapédia River is a river of the Gaspé Peninsula of Quebec, Canada. It runs 65 km from Matapédia Lake (Lac Matapédia) to the village of Matapédia where it joins the Restigouche River, the boundary between New Brunswick and Quebec.
Matapédia Lake becomes Matapédia River at Amqui (population 6800), where it is a meander river on a distance of approximately 15 km before widening to an elongated lake 1 km wide and 7 km long at Lac-au-Saumon, and then narrowing back to a river below the dam in the village of Caucapscal. A major tributary Caucapscal River joins the Matapedia River below the dam in the village of the same name and the "Junction Pool" located there is a very popular salmon pool among local and visiting anglers alike.
A section of Quebec Highway 132 travels along most of the river valley and thus access is relatively easy.
The river's name means "meeting of waters" in Mi'kmaq, most likely referring to the river's joining with the famed and larger Restigouche River at its' mouth.
The Matapédia is a world renowned Atlantic salmon fishing river in the Gaspé region of Quebec. It was once given the title "The Fishing Capital of the World" due to the abundance of large, healthy bright salmon. Due to water pollution in the river, disease and overfishing, the salmon population and also the size have fallen drastically by the years. The Atlantic salmon is now a fly fishing only and "hook and release" fish; after catching it must be released. The fishing is highly regulated by the Province of Quebec, with daily special permits and licenses required. Inquire in the Village of Matapedia for more information on permits, flies and guides. Public water is available in the upper portions of the river to visiting anglers. Limited access salmon fishing with guides and canoes on the most productive salmon pools is available to the public via an annual special lottery. There are still many private fishing camps on the banks of the lower river, such as Cold Springs and the Taupic, most owned by American businessmen.
Quebec folksingers Kate and Anna McGarrigle named a hit album and its title track after the river: Matapédia.
