Best Atlantic Salmon Destinations by: Paul Marriner 1. GRAND CASCAPEDIA RIVER, QC I've put the Grand Cascapedia on top for a few reasons: First, it regularly yields good numbers of very large salmon—the fish average nearly 20 pounds, and Atlantics in excess of 30 pounds are common. (The largest Atlantic caught in 1999 weighed 44- 1/2 pounds.) Also, the Grand Cascapedia is accessible by road, and anglers have a variety of lodging options from expensive private lodges to reasonable daily rod fees (wading in the upper reaches). The Grand Cascapedia rises in the central region of Quebec's Gaspe Peninsula and empties into the Bay of Chaleur. It's a substantial river, and the lower reaches are fished from large canoes. The season runs from June to the end of September. Quebec's salmon-river management scheme is quite complex so call ahead for info regarding licences and seasons. •Contact: The Cascapedia Society, (418) 392-5079. 2. MAIN SOUTHWEST MIRAMICHI, NB Despite some unwarranted bad press in recent years, the Main Southwest Miramichi remains a great salmon river. One distinct advantage the Miramichi system offers is kelt fishing, from mid-April to mid-May. Kelts are salmon that, after spawning, spend the winter in the river and then return to the ocean. Unlike fresh fish, kelts feed heavily during the outward trip and are therefore much easier to catch. By tradition, the entire river is open to all (by boat) during this period, though it's also possible to catch kelts while wading. (Note that non-residents require a guide to fish any river in New Brunswick.) The 73-kilometre stretch between Boisetown and Quarryville is the most popular section of the river. Much of this section is privately owned (multiple owners) but anglers can fish many private pools by staying with the outfitters who control them. There are also public pools with unrestricted access. The Miramichi season extends from mid-April to mid-October. When water conditions cooperate, the peak times for fresh-run salmon are early July and from mid-September to the season's end. •Contact: New Brunswick Tourism, (800) 561-0123. 3. EXPLOITS RIVER, NF The province of Newfoundland and Labrador offers some of the best Atlantic salmon fishing left in Canada, boasting literally hundreds of rivers, all of which are public. And I think the Exploits River is the best of the bunch. The Exploits has a run exceeding 30,000 fish, and it also offers excellent accessibility. Roads parallel considerable sections of the river. Another important plus with the Exploits concerns Newfoundland's classification of salmon rivers. As a Class 1 river (at least in the lower reaches), the Exploits will not be closed for low or warm water. (Note that non-residents need a guide in Newfoundland—up to two anglers per guide.) The Exploits flows through Windsor-Grand Falls in central Newfoundland on its way to Notre Dame Bay. Just downstream of the city, Great Rattling Brook, a major tributary, enters the river. Great Rattling Brook hosts almost two-thirds of the river's entire run and, with a very reasonably priced outfitter available, is an excellent destination choice. August usually sees the best fishing, with dry-fly action at its peak. •Contact: Derek Stewart, Newfoundland Department of Tourism, Culture and Recreation, (709) 729-5604. 4. MOISIE RIVER, QC Peter Farago, a noted Quebec salmon angler and proprietor of Boutique Classic Angler in Montreal, says the Moisie salmon "are the strongest I've ever hooked. They fight like fish that weigh 10 pounds more in other rivers." Farago swears he has hooked into Moisie salmon weighing over 40 pounds, but they've been too tough to land. "We've broken rods, burned out reels and been spooled on several occasions," he says. A huge river entering the Gulf of St. Lawrence near Sept Iles, the Moisie produced the 12-pound-test fly-fishing world record of 44 pounds, 12 ounces. Unfortunately, it is difficult to get to and generally expensive. At least one fly-in outfitter operates on the upper reaches, but there are opportunities for less-expensive day-ticket water in the lower section of the river. The latter is primarily fished from boats, but there are a few wading opportunities available. The season extends from June 1 to September 15. •Contact: Moisie River Protection Association, (418) 962-3737. 5. HUMBER RIVER, NF The lower Humber, some 16 kilometres upriver from Corner Brook, is an excellent big-salmon river flowing through a scenic valley. Rob Solo, a local guide, says that between the end of August and the first week in October in 1999, he landed three salmon over 20 pounds and one over 30. The upper Humber is also blessed with a strong run of salmon, however, it's overcrowded, especially downstream of the Big Falls. You'll catch fish there, but with little of the aesthetics associated with salmon fishing. However, Big Falls is the place to fish if you enjoy watching hundreds of salmon leaping a substantial barrier. The Humber is best fished from boats, though it also yields fish to wading anglers. The season peaks in August and September. It is also a Class 1 river, so your trip won't be cancelled by arbitrary river closures. •Contact: Rob Solo, (709) 634-8206. 6. YORK RIVER, QC In reality, this is a three-for-one pick. Three wonderful salmon rivers flow into the Gulf of St. Lawrence near the town of Gaspe at the tip of the Gaspe Peninsula: the York, the Dartmouth and the St. Jean. Having the option to fish in three quite different rivers in such close proximity is a unique experience. And you're far more likely to catch salmon than grilse, some in excess of 30 pounds. The St. Jean is almost glacial in colour, reminding one of Western rivers, whereas the York is almost crystal clear. From the latter's high banks, it's not unusual to see almost a dozen salmon finning quietly in what seems like only a couple of feet of water. All three rivers have easily accessible day-ticket sectors as well as sectors reserved during pre-season draws. The season runs from June to the end of September. •Contact: Societe de Gestion des Rivieres du Grande Gaspe, (418) 368-2324. 7. RESTIGOUCHE RIVER, NB World famous for its huge salmon (the Canadian record fish virtually always come from the Restigouche), the river is located in northwest New Brunswick. One fish estimated at over 70 pounds was caught and released several years ago. If the estimate is accurate, it is the second largest rod-caught Atlantic salmon in history. Another 60-plus-pounder was caught more recently. While some would place the Restigouche higher on the list, limited public access lowers its ranking in my eyes. A large river, the Restigouche is generally fished from purpose-built canoes. The season runs from May to September 30, with the early weeks being a kelt fishery. •Contact: New Brunswick Tourism, (800) 561-0123. 8. EAGLE RIVER, LABRADOR When fishing the Eagle, you can expect to land two to four salmon per day, most in the 8- to 13-pound range. It is the largest river in Labrador and has catch numbers three times greater than any other river on this list. However, its isolated location lowers its ranking in my mind. Labrador has several top-quality salmon rivers. Not surprisingly, the best are accessible only by plane. For all practical purposes, the only way to fish the Eagle is with an outfitter. As implied, this is fishing for the flush, with prices ranging from 4 to 7K, not including the flight to Goose Bay. However, don't forget that this is as close as one can come to Russia (the best Atlantic salmon fishing in the world) in North America, and at half the price. •Contact: Derek Stewart, Newfoundland Department of Tourism, Culture and Recreation, (709) 729-5604. 9. GANDER RIVER, NF Although the Gander nearly matches the Exploits in returns (some 30,000), it falls far short of the latter when considering accessibility. It does have a few walk-in wading pools, but is primarily fished from boats. The best fishing demands the services of an outfitter. As another Class 1 river, it won't be closed for warm or low water, so a trip can be booked with confidence. The Gander is located in east-central Newfoundland and flows into Gander Bay. July through September produces some of the best angling opportunities. •Contact: Derek Stewart, Newfoundland Department of Tourism, Culture and Recreation, (709) 729-5604. 10. MARGAREE RIVER, NS Imagine an Atlantic salmon river with fish in excess of 30 pounds that you can fish for free (excluding the reasonable cost of a licence). The Margaree River is fully public water, has no guide requirement and is accessible by road. However, don't expect the numbers of fish to be of Eagle River proportions. Once upon a time, Nova Scotia had several world-class Atlantic salmon rivers, but for a variety of reasons, those days are likely gone forever. Regardless, for both sentimental and aesthetic reasons, the Margaree River on the west coast of Cape Breton Island makes my Top 20. The downside is that landing four to six salmon a week (as compared to the two to four Atlantics per day on the Eagle River) is a decent result. The upside? They are sure to be big. Although the largest are usually caught in the fall (season extends to October), the Margaree may yield a personal-best salmon anytime after mid-June. •Contact: Tourism Cape Breton, (800) 565-9464. 11. NATASHQUAN RIVER, QC  •Contact: Quebec Tourism, (800) 363-7777. 12. BONAVENTURE RIVER, QC  •Contact: Quebec Tourism, (800) 363-7777. 13. GREY RIVER, NF  •Contact: Derek Stewart, Newfoundland Department of Tourism, Culture and Recreation, (709) 729-5604. 14. NORTHWEST MIRAMICHI, NB  •Contact: New Brunswick Tourism, (800) 561-0123. 15. LITTLE SOUTHWEST MIRAMICHI, NB  •Contact: New Brunswick Tourism, (800) 561-0123. 16. MATANE RIVER, QC  •Contact: Quebec Tourism, (800) 363-7777. 17. HARRYS RIVER, NF  •Contact: Derek Stewart, Newfoundland Department of Tourism, Culture and Recreation, (709) 729-5604. 18. CAINS RIVER, NB  •Contact: New Brunswick Tourism, (800) 561-0123. 19. PORTLAND CREEK, NF  •Contact: Derek Stewart, Newfoundland Department of Tourism, Culture and Recreation, (709) 729-5604. 20. MATAPEDIA RIVER, QC  •Contact: Quebec Tourism, (800) 363-7777. other species destinations