Matapedia River

Matapedia River
Salmon fishing on the Matapedia River at la fosse Les Fourches
Other name	Rivière Matapédia
Origin	Lake Matapedia
Mouth	Restigouche River
Basin countries	Canada
Length	65 kilometres (40 mi)

The Matapedia River (French: Rivière Matapédia) is a river in the Matapedia Valley in the province of Quebec, Canada. It runs 65 kilometres (40 mi) from Lake Matapedia to the village of Matapédia where it flows into the Restigouche River on the provincial border of New Brunswick

Etymology

The river's name means "meeting of waters" in Mi'kmaq, most likely referring to the confluence of it and the larger Restigouche River at its mouth.

History

During the river's most productive and fertile years (generally considered to be between 1890 and 1960), it was a destination for the wealthy and famous from around the world, including American presidents, British royalty, and numerous Hollywood stars.

Course

Matapedia Lake becomes Matapedia River at Amqui, where it is a meander river for a distance of approximately 15 kilometres (9 mi). It widens into an elongated lake 1 kilometre wide and 7 kilometres (4 mi) long at Lac-au-Saumon before narrowing back to a river below the dam in the village of Causapscal. There, it joins with a major tributary, the Causapscal River, forming a pool that is renowned for its Atlantic salmon. From there, the river continues on until the New Brunswick border, where it empties into the Restigouche River.

Economy

The Matapedia is a world-renowned Atlantic salmon fishing river and was given the title "The Fishing Capital of the World" due to the abundance of large, healthy, bright salmon. The Atlantic salmon is mainly a fly fishing only, "catch and release" species; and salmon fishing in this area is highly regulated by the Province of Quebec, with special daily permits and licenses required. It is recommended to inquire in the village of Matapedia for information on permits and guides. Public waters are available to anglers in the upper portions of the river. Limited-access salmon fishing, generally with outfitters or guides to the most productive salmon pools is made available to the public via a special annual lottery. There are still many private fishing camps on the banks of the lower river, such as Cold Springs, Glen Emma, Runnymeade Lodge, Restigouche Salmon Club and the Tobique, most of them owned by businessmen and large corporations.

See also

• List of rivers of Quebec