Salmon fishing on the Sainte-Marguerite River

Atlantic salmon are born and develop in rivers before leaving for the salty and nourishing waters of the Arctic seas. This is where they’ll grow for 1 to 3 years before going back to their native river. At the end of a several thousand kilometer epic journey, the Atlantic salmon that appear at the mouth of the Sainte-Marguerite river only have one thing in mind: to reproduce. This is why they refuse to eat once they get to the river’s fresh water. Pretty amazing, huh?

“So why do we use flies to try and catch the fish?”

We “tease” the salmon because of this predator’s innate reflexes, they won’t able to resist trying to bite the fly. As we say, it’s not the angler who catches the salmon, it’s the salmon that catches the fly. Fishing for Atlantic salmon is much more than just catching a fish, it’s also to admire this King of the river.

Atlantic salmon fly fishing has been practiced on the Sainte-Marguerite River since 1860, when the first private fishing club opened. Today, the river’s management and conservation is carried out by a ZEC-Salmon, the Association de la Rivière Sainte-Marguerite; an NPO led by passionate and dedicated employees, a volunteer board of directors and the generosity of its members.

If you want to try your hand at salmon fishing in a breathtaking natural environment, you’ve come to the right place! The Sainte-Marguerite River is perfect for both veterans and beginners alike, it’s not overly large, it’s easy to get around and the pools are easily identifiable.

Catch and release is mandatory for all salmon that are 63 cm and over, but we encourage this practice at all times. Consult the regulations section for more information.