Saint-Jean Gaspé River
The Saint-Jean River flows out the eastern tip of the Gaspé Peninsula from its source high in the Chic-Choc Mountains. It winds 121 kilometres down from the west before reaching the Gaspé Bay in Douglastown, near downtown Gaspé. Although you can only fish for salmon on a 44-kilometre stretch, this river is still considered one of the best in Quebec for sport fishing, simply because of its beauty, and the salmon's aggressiveness.
In fact, as early as the 1850s, the Saint Jean River already had an international reputation for being one of the most sought-after rivers by wealthy Canadian, American, and European salmon anglers. The fishery has been managed by the Société de gestion des rivières de Gaspé since 1993. The emerald green and transparent water of the Saint Jean flows over mid-sized rocks and gravel bottoms. The river is divided into one private sector and three limited access sectors. The three limited access sectors combine for 82 pools, and offer both wade and canoe fishing opportunities. While you can access the river from either side, the Société de gestion des rivières de Gaspé recommends using the north shore to get on the water. In sector 4, which alone boasts about 50 pools all located within a wildlife reserve, you will find the renowned Pavillon Saint-Jean Lodge, which has been providing anglers world class fishing experiences for over 150 years.
The Saint-Jean River easily ranks among Quebec's top ten salmon rivers.