Bonaventure River
The BONAVENTURE
With exceptionally clear water, this river is distinguished by its incomparable quality of fishing!
It is impossible to describe what is perhaps the clearest salmon river in the world. So exceptionally transparent is the water that underwater visibility often exceeds 100 feet! From its source in Gaspé Provincial Park, the Bonaventure runs a distance of 125 kilometers to the Bay of Chaleur. The riverbed is composed of gravel, small stones, and ledge. With a rich and varied history, over 78% of the Bonaventure River has public access. Only a small portion of the river remains in private hands. Two parties share access to the salmon resource: the Association des Pecheurs Sportifs de la Bonaventure, which manages 65 kilometers of the river, and the Canadian Club.
A summary
- Lenght
- 125 km of which 65 km is opened for fishing
- Sectors and pools
- 98 pools in 6 limited access sectors and 3 to open sectors
- Type of fishing
- Wading or canoeing
- Fishing period
- June1 to September 30
- Daily catch limit
- 2 small salmon less than 63 centimeters
The Rivier Operator
Association des pêcheurs sportifs de la Bonaventure
Contact information
- Address
- 180 avenue Beauséjour, Bonaventure (Québec) G0C 1E0
- Phone
- (418) 534-1818
- Free Phone
- 1-888-979-1818
- Fax
- (418) 534-4007
- apsb@globetrotter.net
Annual statistics
Weather
Weather forecastMoon phase
Moon phasesRiver Condition(s)
Water Level and Flow Rates
For detailed information on the flow of the river, click the link below. You will be redirected to the Centre d'expertise hydrique du Québec.
Tidal predictions
For complete information on tidal predictions, click the link below. You will be redirected to Fisheries and Oceans Canada.
Fishing salmon on Bonaventure River
Arising within the Parc de la Gaspésie, the Rivière Bonaventure runs 125 kilometres over a bed of rocks, stones and pebbles before emptying into Chaleur Bay. Salmon can easily be spotted in its cold, crystalline waters of exceptional quality, ensuring excellent salmon fishing conditions.
The Rivière Bonaventure also abounds with rich history. As early as 1697, King France Louis XIV granted a seigniory (feudal land grant) along the river. Although the Bonaventure has long been renowned for the quality of its salmon fishing, for many years the privilege was reserved for rich Americans and members of exclusive private clubs. Today, 78% of the length of the river is public, with the remainder held by private interests.
Two organizations share responsibility for management of the river’s salmon stocks: the Association des pêcheurs sportifs de la Bonaventure, which manages salmon fishing on about 65 kilometres of the river, and a private club, the Club privé de pêche au saumon Le Canadien. The territory of the ZEC Bonaventure (controlled harvesting zone) includes nearly 100 pools in eight sectors, five of which are limited-access sectors and three open-access. Many of the pools can be waded, while in others a canoe is needed, especially when the river is high.
Note
- Annual statistics are provided by the Government of Quebec.