Fishing the

Bonaventure River

Come fall in love!

In brief

Bonaventure River

Rising in the Parc de la Gaspésie, the Bonaventure River flows 125 kilometers through a bed of rocks, pebbles and cobbles to the Baie-des-Chaleurs. The exceptional quality of its cold, crystal-clear water makes for excellent salmon-fishing conditions, with salmon easy to spot.

The Bonaventure River has a rich history. As early as 1697, King Louis XIV of France granted the river a seigneury. While the river has long been renowned for the quality of its salmon fishing, it was long reserved for wealthy Americans and members of select private clubs. Today, 78% of the river's length is publicly owned, the rest privately.

In fact, two partners share the exploitation of the salmon resource: the Association des pêcheurs sportifs de la Bonaventure, which manages salmon fishing on some 65 kilometers of the river, and Club Camp Bonaventure. Easily accessible, the Zec Bonaventure has 98 pools in 8 fishing sectors, including 5 draw sectors and 3 public sectors. Many of the pools are wadeable, and canoeing is an important option when water levels are high.

 

 

TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF ANNUAL DRAWS

Click here to see the results of the annual draw.

The annual Bonaventure River draw takes place on November 1st.

For draw sectors, 50% of the rods are allocated in the pre-season draws, 35% in the 48-hour draws and 15% for the Club and Camp Bonaventure.

Winners (ranks 1 to 450) may reserve a maximum of:

  • 2 consecutive or non-consecutive fishing days for 1 or 2 people per day between June 1 and August 31.
  • 4 consecutive or non-consecutive fishing days for 1 or 2 people per day between September 1 and 30.

 


For more information on the draws, click here.

 

Services offered

  • Camping

  • Ready-to-camp (NATURE tents)

  • Classes / Initiations

  • Bathrooms

Conditions

Lenght

65 kilometers open for fishing

Type of fishing possible

Wading or by canoe

Fishing season

June 1st to September 30

Sectors and pools

98 pools in 8 fishing sectors, including 5 draw sectors and 3 public sectors

Daily catch limit per angler

https://www.quebec.ca/tourisme-et-loisirs/activites-sportives-et-de-plein-air/peche-sportive/

Gaspé peninsula

Carte - Gaspé peninsula

Access to the region

The Gaspé peninsula begins at Sainte-Flavie, where Route 132 splits in two to form a loop of some 844 kilometers around the peninsula, known as the "Tour de la Gaspésie". It's at this municipality that you can choose between the southern and northern itineraries. The region is also accessible by bus, train, ferry and air. Air transport is available via the Gaspé, Bonaventure and Mont-Joli airports.

A fishing paradise

Criss-crossing immense valleys, the 22 salmon rivers of the Gaspé Peninsula are renowned for their crystal-clear waters of a thousand shades of turquoise or emerald, flowing over stony beds. While most of these rivers run north-south or south-north, winding their way through the ancient Appalachian massif of the Chics-Chocs mountains, they all flow through a varied and rich wilderness, thanks to the diversity of their microclimates.

These superb rivers, which welcome both experts and novices to salmon fishing, are easily accessible. What's more, these rivers almost always end up in or next to a small, picturesque coastal municipality.

Because the waters of these rivers come from unspoiled nature, they are of impeccable purity and among the clearest in the world. These qualities, combined with the beauty of the environment and the warm welcome of the Gaspesians, have given the region a worldwide reputation as a fishing paradise.

Image | Gaspé peninsula
Image | Gaspé peninsula
Bannière | Image