The Matapedia River is a river in the Matapedia Valley in the province of Quebec, Canada. It runs on 65 km from Matapedia Lake down to the village of Matapédia where it empties into the left bank of Restigouche River on the provincial border of New Brunswick. This freshwater course forms a natural border between the administrative regions of Bas-Saint-Laurent and Gaspésie-Îles-de-la-Madeleine. The river is a North South divide in the Notre Dame Mountains that characterize the relief of the Gaspé Peninsula. The Matapedia River basin drains an area of about 3900 km. Matapedia River is often called the Salmon Capital . From the South side of Matapedia Lake and going to the South, the route 132 along the river goes on its entire length by the East bank. The Canadian National Railway passes South of Matapedia Lake continues on the West bank of the river in Causapscal where the bridge at South of the village made the railway cross on the East bank. The track then continues South on 8.5 km; then passes again in the West Bank via the railway bridge located at 1.1 km North of the confluence of the creek Doyle. The railway then rest on the West bank up to the railway bridge at the confluence of the Rivière du Moulin (Matapedia River). From there, the last railway segment passes through the Eastern shore, up to the confluence of the Matapedia River.

Course

Matapedia Lake becomes Matapedia River at Amqui, where it is a meander river for a distance of approximately 15 km. It widens into an elongated lake 1 kilometre wide and 7 km 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. The Lake Matapedia (length: 22.0 km; height: 158 m) is the head of water of the Matapedia River. This water plan 38 km is located in the municipality Matapedia Lake, in Notre Dame Mountains. Its mouth is located in the Southeast to the height of a covered bridge. The mouth of the Lake Matapedia is located at: From the mouth of the Matapedia Lake, Matapedia River flows over 87.7 km as follow: Higher Courses of the river(segment of 28.5 km) Lower course of the river (segment of 59.2 km) The confluence of the Matapedia River flows on the north bank of the Restigouche River. This confluence is located at:

Etymology

Its name may derive from the Mi'kmaq word matapegiag, meaning "river junction", from the parts mata (junction) and pegiag (river), referring to the Matapédia River that crosses the town just before its confluence with the Restigouche River. Another source from the late nineteenth century indicates that the Mi'kmaq named the area Magabegeak which means "roughly flowing". It has also been spelled many different ways over time such as Matapediach, Madapeguia , Matapeguia , Matapediac, Matakpediack, Madapeguia, Metapedia, or Matapediac.

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 Prince Leopold, Duke of Albany and Princess Louise, Duchess of Argyll, American presidents Nixon and Carter, British royalty, and numerous Hollywood stars.

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.

Municipalities on watercourse

Matapédia River crosses the territory of these Quebec municipalities:

List of salmon pools

The river exceeded its target for salmon management in 2018, and in July 2018 the Ministry of Forests, Wildlife and Parks announced that in August anglers could keep their catch of one large salmon 63 cm or longer in the Gros Mécatina, Napetipi, Saint-Paul, Vieux Fort and Matapedia rivers. From downstream to upstream, from the Restigouche River to Lac au Saumon (Matapédia). Area 1: Area 2: Area 3: Area 4: <Gallery> File: PecheurSaumonRiviereMatapedia.JPG|Salmon Fisherman File: RiviereMatapadiaLesfourches.jpg|Salmon Fishermen on the pit "The Forks" (Les Fourches) </Gallery>

In popular culture

The river provided the name and inspiration for the title track of the album Matapédia by Quebec singer-songwriters Kate and Anna McGarrigle.