Matapedia River - Public Sector

World renowned and renowned for its large retention pools, this river is majestic and ready to offer challenges.

Matapedia is famous for the size and especially the large quantity of salmon that it shelters each year, it is about 3 000 to 5 000 specimens that go up its waters. The Matapédia River is the inevitable meeting of any fisherman.

Live video

 Pool #98: Les Fourches

sector 3, Matapedia river

Informations

Type of fishing / river

It is possible to wade fishing in most public areas although it is better to use a canoe in the spring.

Forming a natural boundary between the Bas-Saint-Laurent and the Gaspésie, the Matapédia River is considered to be one of the best salmon rivers in Quebec. It originates in the Matapédia Lake sector and winds its way down the valley that bears its name over a distance of 65 km, thus sheltering many salmon and other fish in its many pools and rapids. She is finishing her race in the Restigouche River on the border of the municipality of Matapédia.

Where

Favored by its proximity, barely more than 4 hours from Quebec City, it is easily accessible by Route 132 along its length.

Maps library

Matapédia River Map (PDF - 2 MB)

Periods

DATES

May 15^th to September 30^th

The run of the salmon is done in two stages: the arrival of a first cohort of large salmon at the beginning of the season then the entry in river of the grilse at the end of June. Fishing in September is also very interesting because it is the time of the season when the pools contain the most salmon and the landscape is at its most beautiful with the hues of red, yellow and orange that start to color the trees.

Non-transferable dates

Any

Sectors / Pools

Description of the sector

Matapedia is divided into 4 sectors. Sectors 1 and 3 together form the nearly 25-kilometer public sector that lies between Causapscal and Routhierville for Sector 3, and includes some pools in Sector 1 near Matapédia. This sector, which includes 33 pools, including the famous Salmon Hole, Heppell and Les Fourches, is unrestricted; so there is no limit to the number of rods.

Quick pool description

Sector 1 :

Lawlor Pool (1)
Pont Mercier Pool (2)
Delaney Pool (3)
Îles Pool (4)
Duncan Hole Pool (5)
Haley Pool (6A)*
Haley Pool (6B)*
Gulch Pool (20)
Habersham Pool (21)
Mckiel Pool (22)
Ruisseau Clark Pool (23)

* Haley's Pools 6A and 6B are accessible by a draw of 48 hours in advance. You can fish on Sundays, Mondays and Thursdays. For more information: 1 888-730-6174

Secteur 3

Brown Pool (62)
Île du Chien Pool (63)
Pont Couvert Pool (64)
Omer Pool (65)
Alice d'en Bas Pool (66)
Fraser Pool (67)
Caswell Pool (68)
Rocher French Pool (69)
Cullen Pool (70)
Rocher Lepage Pool (71)
Sans Nom Pool (72)
Low Water Pool (73)
Salmon Hole Pool (74)
Monnick Pool (75)
Beaurivage Pool (76)
Pont Beaurivage Pool (77)
Florence Pool (78)
Adams d'en Bas Pool (79)
Adams d'en Haut Pool (80)
Lepage Pool (81)
Pont du Chemin de Fer Pool (82)
Ruisseau Fortin Pool (83)
Grosse Roche Pool (84)
Matalik d'en Bas Pool (85)
Matalik Pool (86)
Heppell Pool (87)
Wyer Pool (88)
Blais Pool (89)
Pont Plante Pool (90)
Douglas Pool (91)
Coude du Diable Pool (92)
Wainwright Pool (93)
Peter Pool (94)
Pierre à Luc Pool (94A)
Coude d'Alec Pool (95)
Station Pool (96)
Matamajaw Home Pool (97)
Fourches Pool (98)

Guides

Mandatory or not

The guide is not included or required. However, for those interested, it is possible to offer the service of private guides and certified.

List of certified guides

Current conditions

Previous statistics

To consult the previous statistics, go to the bottom of the page Statistics.

Tariffs

The prices mentioned below do not include taxes and are subject to slight variations conditional upon approval by the Government of Quebec.

View rates for salmon fishing licenses issued by the Ministère des Forêts, de la Faune et des Parcs (MFFP).

Matapédia River
2026		RESIDENT	NON-RESIDENT
Public Sectors 1 and 3	May 15 to 31 (spring fishing)	$33.02	$63.02	#1
	June 1 to July 31	$45.89	$91.78	#1
	August 1 to September 30	$37.59	$75.17	#1
	Special after 3:00 PM (from June 1)	25% discount		#1
	Under 18 years old (at all times)	Free		#1
	Student 18 to 24 years old (at all times) MANDATORY PROOF	$17.40	$34.79	#1
	7-day package	25% discount
	Black Salmon	$33.02	$63.02	#1

#1 No reservation is required as these sectors are non-contingent. You only need to go to one of our reception offices, either in Causapscal or Matapédia, to purchase an access right.

Please note: Indigenous communities occasionally engage in fishing and hunting activities in various territories of the region.

7-day package

The purchase of the 7-day package gives you 7 coupons, each exchangeable for a day of fishing in the public sector of the Matapédia River, at a reduced rate of 25% compared to the regular rate.
*the 7-day package is shareable with a spouse under certain conditions.

How to get it:
• At one of our 2 on-site reception offices or by phone
• Online (virtual reception office)

Online purchase - virtual reception office
When you select the activity: Adulte – public – Matapédia, the system automatically applies one of the coupons included in your 7-day package. Each participation in this activity therefore corresponds to the use of a coupon.

If you wish to fish without using your package, select the activity: Adulte – public – Matapédia – sans deduction coupon. Your fishing day will be billed at the regular rate, without using your package.

The 7-day package is valid from June 1 to September 30 of the year of purchase. If you purchase your package before June 1, please note that as the fishing day rates in May are lower than the regular rate, no refund will be granted if you use a coupon from your package during this period.