Bonaventure River
Gaspé Peninsula · Atlantic Salmon
Quebec, Canada
Open live forecast →Target species: Atlantic Salmon and Brook.
Stream gauge: 010802. Flow and water temperature update on every refresh.
Weekly AI Outlook as of 06/05/26
The Bonaventure sits at 2130 cfs with legendary clarity intact — perfect sight-fishing conditions as the first summer-run salmon begin staging in the deep jade pools. Water temps in the salmon-friendly zone with fresh fish trickling in from the Gulf. The crystal-clear water demands absolute stealth, but rewards with unmatched visual fishing. Blue Charm and Green Machine in smaller sizes (#6-10) are proving most effective for the selective fish in gin-clear pools. Fish from the canyon overlooks first to spot your targets before making presentations.
- Flow: 2130 cfs with exceptional clarity — perfect sight-fishing conditions. Salmon clearly visible in pools from canyon overlooks above.
- Run Timing: First summer salmon trickling in from Gulf of St. Lawrence. Grilse and multi-sea-winter fish beginning to stage in classic pools.
- Water Temp: 52-62°F range ideal for fresh Atlantic salmon. Cool enough to keep fish active without thermal stress in shallow runs.
- Patterns: Blue Charm and Green Machine #6-10 most effective. Crystal clarity demands smaller flies and absolute stealth from above.
Generated weekly from live USGS gauge readings, weather forecasts, and recent fly shop reports. Updates Friday mornings.
About this Water
- Freestone
- Best months: June–Oct; peak July–Sept
The Bonaventure River on Quebec's Gaspé Peninsula offers the rarest of Atlantic salmon experiences: sight-fishing to fish you can see. The river's water clarity is so extraordinary — visibility to 15+ feet in the pools — that anglers can observe salmon from the limestone canyon overlooks above, locate individual fish, then descend to present a fly to a specific target. This combination of clarity, wild scenery, and historic salmon culture makes the Bonaventure one of the world's most distinctive rivers.
The Bonaventure's exceptional clarity allows anglers to see individual salmon resting in pools from the canyon walkways above — spotting, planning a presentation, and watching a salmon rise to take your fly is an experience unique to this river.
Recommended Flies — Atlantic Salmon (Salmo salar)
- Jun
- Jul
- Aug
- Sep
The Bonaventure is the Gaspésie's most accessible salmon river — the crystal-clear water makes it one of the world's most photogenic fisheries. Atlantic salmon are clearly visible in the deep jade-green pools. Grilse and MSW salmon enter from June.
Productive Patterns
- Blue Charm #4–10
- Green Machine #4–10
- Black Bear Green Butt #4–10
- Rusty Rat #4–10
- Bombers #4–10
Technique
The Bonaventure's unique clear water allows unprecedented sight-fishing for Atlantic salmon. Presents flies to individually spotted fish. A lightweight spey rod and traditional patterns. The salmon's selectivity in clear water is legendary.
Seasonal Notes
Atlantic salmon enter on spring high water. The Bonaventure's unusually clear water allows sight-fishing to specific fish. Dry fly fishing with Bombers and Wulff patterns in warm summer conditions — an exciting visual technique.
January Outlook
January — the Bonaventure River flows beneath the Gaspesian winter through Parc national de la Gaspésie. The crystal-clear river that allows sight-fishing to resting salmon is now partially frozen and running cold under winter light. Atlantic salmon are at sea. This is a planning month for the June opening.
Productive Patterns
- Planning season — Bonaventure season opens June 1
- Book Bonaventure sector permits (Parc national de la Gaspésie)
- Book Camp Bonaventure or private sector accommodations
- Tie low-water patterns: Green Machine, Blue Charm, Ally's Shrimp
Tips
The Bonaventure is more accessible than the Grand Cascapedia — Parc national de la Gaspésie administers public sector beats that can be reserved online. Camp Bonaventure operates the private upper river sector. Carleton-sur-Mer and Bonaventure village are the nearest towns.
Water Notes
Closed season. Gaspesian winter. River partially frozen. Season opens June 1. Parc national de la Gaspésie permit reservations begin in winter.
February Outlook
February on the Bonaventure — the deep Gaspesian winter has fully gripped the limestone canyon. The extraordinary river whose clarity creates the sight-fishing experience of a lifetime is frozen under February conditions. Plan the summer trip now: Parc national permits book quickly.
Productive Patterns
- Planning season — book sector permits for June
- Research Bonaventure Canyon canyon-walk sight-fishing
- Tie Rusty Rat, Buck Bug, and Bomber patterns
- Plan Gaspé road trip logistics — coastal highway reopens in spring
Tips
The Bonaventure's canyon walk above the pools is a unique experience — anglers can watch salmon from the rock ledges above before descending to fish. Plan your approach to each pool based on what you observe from above. This requires patience and stealth that differs from any other salmon fishing.
Water Notes
Closed season. Deep winter. River frozen. Parc national permits available for booking. Season 4 months away.
March Outlook
March — the days lengthen in the Gaspé but winter still holds. The Bonaventure's spring flood is 6-8 weeks away. This is the final booking window for June Parc national sector permits — popular dates fill quickly. The Bonaventure is a more accessible Quebec Atlantic salmon fishery than the Grand Cascapedia.
Productive Patterns
- Planning season — last permit bookings for June
- Prepare single-hand and light two-hand outfits (9-12 ft)
- Low-water presentation practice — Bonaventure demands it
- Green Machine, Blue Charm, Ally's Shrimp in multiple sizes
Tips
The Bonaventure's remarkable clarity requires ultra-light presentations. Single-hand 9-10 ft rods with long leaders (14-18 ft) and small flies (#10-14) in low summer water are standard. The fish can see everything — presentation quality matters enormously.
Water Notes
Closed season. Late winter. Permit booking window closing. Season opens June 1. Plan access to Parc national de la Gaspésie sector.
April Outlook
April — the Bonaventure Valley thaws and the spring flood begins from the Chic-Choc Mountains. The river runs high and off-color from snowmelt. The extraordinary limestone canyon and its crystal pools are temporarily hidden under spring flood conditions. Salmon are staging in Chaleur Bay awaiting river entry.
Productive Patterns
- Planning season — season opens June 1
- Parc national day permits can still be available
- Prepare your permit documentation and wading equipment
- Plan coastal Highway 132 approach from Amqui or New Brunswick
Tips
The Bonaventure's spring floods typically subside by late May, revealing the extraordinary clarity the river is famous for. The first salmon enter in late May/early June when water temperatures drop below 58°F. The canyon overlooks above the Vallée sector are unforgettable when the river is clear.
Water Notes
Closed season. Spring flooding. River running high from snowmelt. Season opens June 1. Salmon staging in Chaleur Bay.
May Outlook
May — the Bonaventure is dropping and clearing from spring runoff. By late May the extraordinary clarity that defines this river is returning. The first salmon are staging at the river mouth. Season opens June 1 on most sectors. The canyon's pale blue pools are becoming visible again through the limestone gorge.
Productive Patterns
- Planning season — season opens June 1
- Monitor river levels at Rivière Bonaventure gauge
- Confirm permits and guide bookings
- Final tackle preparations: long leaders, fine tippet (6-8 lb)
Tips
A late-May visit to scout the Bonaventure Canyon from the walking trail is worthwhile — you can see if salmon have entered the lower pools without fishing. The transparency of this river means salmon are often visible days before the season opens.
Water Notes
Season opens June 1. Late May river clearing from runoff. First salmon arriving in river. Canyon walk reveals fish locations.
June Outlook
The Bonaventure River is one of the most visually spectacular Atlantic salmon rivers in the world — its extraordinary clarity allows sight-fishing to resting salmon in pools seen from above. June brings the first fresh fish from the Gulf of St. Lawrence. The river flows through Parc national de la Gaspésie with stunning limestone canyon scenery.
Productive Patterns
- Blue Charm
- Rusty Rat
- Ally's Shrimp (small)
- Green Machine (low water)
Tips
The Bonaventure's crystal clarity demands absolute stealth — salmon can see the angler at great distance. Fish from above on the canyon walks to spot fish before presenting. Low-water presentations with smaller flies are standard.
Water Notes
Water 52-62°F. Post-runoff clarity. The Bonaventure is exceptionally clear — visibility to 15+ feet in the pools. Salmon visible from the canyon overlooks.
July Outlook
July is prime time on the Bonaventure with grilse arriving and fresh salmon in all the classic pools. The sight-fishing experience of watching a salmon rise to your fly in clear water is the Bonaventure's great gift. Camp on the Bonaventure is the historic operation.
Productive Patterns
- Bomber (surface)
- Low Water Wet Fly
- Ally's Shrimp
- Dry Muddler
Tips
July clarity on the Bonaventure allows anglers to observe the entire presentation — watching a salmon drift up from depth to inspect and take the fly is a profoundly exciting experience unlike any other salmon fishing.
Water Notes
Water 58-68°F. Low summer flows. Crystal visibility. Sight-fishing to visible salmon is the defining Bonaventure experience.
August Outlook
August on the Bonaventure is excellent for surface fly presentations. The river's low summer flows concentrate salmon in the classic pools and the extraordinary clarity means every detail of the presentation is visible. Grilse are numerous and eager. Evening Bomber fishing produces surface rises that are unique in Atlantic salmon fishing.
Productive Patterns
- Bomber (surface, dry)
- Buck Bug
- Dry Muddler
- Low-Water Wet Fly
Tips
August surface presentations on the Bonaventure are exceptional. Present the Bomber just above visible holding fish — the take from a large salmon in crystal clear water is one of fly fishing's finest sights. Handle all fish quickly and carefully in warm August water.
Water Notes
Water 58-68°F. August low flows and warm air. Surface fly presentations excellent. Fish near dawn and dusk in warmest conditions.
September Outlook
September brings the finest autumn salmon fishing on the Bonaventure. Larger fish in good numbers, crisp Gaspé autumn weather, and the extraordinary clear water creating the finest sight-fishing conditions of the season.
Productive Patterns
- Rusty Rat
- Green Machine
- Hairy Mary
- Autumn Wet Fly
Tips
September autumn fish on the Bonaventure are aggressive and visible. The canyon scenery in fall colors adds to an already remarkable experience. Arrive early in the week — the best beats are in high demand.
Water Notes
Water 50-60°F. Fall flows improving. Clearest conditions of the season. Peak salmon run.
October Outlook
October — the Bonaventure season closes September 30 on most sectors. The canyon's mixed forest turns brilliant autumn colors in October. Post-season, the salmon are spawning in the upper river's clear pools. Begin booking next year's Parc national permits immediately — they open for the following year in autumn.
Productive Patterns
- Post-season — book next year's Bonaventure permits
- Parc national de la Gaspésie permit reservations open fall
- Explore Gaspésie autumn foliage and moose watching
- Tie next season's Bonaventure patterns
Tips
Secure next year's Bonaventure sector permits through the Parc national reservation system as soon as they open. Prime July dates on the Bonaventure fill within hours of the booking window opening each autumn. Set a reminder and book immediately.
Water Notes
Season closed September 30. Spawning salmon in upper pools. Gaspé autumn foliage spectacular. Permit bookings for next season open.
November Outlook
November — the Bonaventure is in post-season with Atlantic salmon spawning in the extraordinary clear pools of the limestone canyon. The Gaspé Peninsula enters winter. The remarkable river that offers some of the world's finest sight-fishing is beginning its long winter rest.
Productive Patterns
- Planning season — next year's Bonaventure season June-September
- Secure Parc national permits for prime July dates
- Prepare equipment for next season
- Consider combining Bonaventure with Grand Cascapedia trip planning
Tips
The Bonaventure and Grand Cascapedia rivers are within 30km of each other — combining both in a Gaspé Peninsula salmon fishing week is possible and provides very different experiences. The Bonaventure's sight-fishing contrasts with the Cascapedia's size and exclusivity.
Water Notes
Closed season. Spawning season in limestone canyon pools. November Gaspé winter arriving. Season 7 months away.
December Outlook
December — the Bonaventure Canyon is frozen under Gaspesian winter. The extraordinary clear-water salmon river that allows sight-fishing from limestone ledges above the pools is in its winter rest. One of the world's most unique salmon fishing experiences awaits in June. Book permits now.
Productive Patterns
- Planning season — Bonaventure opens June 1
- Book permits: Parc national de la Gaspésie website
- Confirm Camp Bonaventure or private sector booking
- Prepare Gaspé road trip logistics for June trip
Tips
The Bonaventure represents the most accessible world-class Atlantic salmon sight-fishing experience available. Parc national public sector permits are available at reasonable rates compared to exclusive private salmon rivers. Book in advance and plan a 4-5 day Gaspé Peninsula trip.
Water Notes
Closed season. December winter. River frozen. Season opens June 1. Permits bookable online through Parc national de la Gaspésie.
Access & Approach
New Richmond, Gaspésie, Quebec. Camp on the Bonaventure manages much of the best water. Quebec salmon licence required plus sectional permits. The Bonaventure flows through Parc national de la Gaspésie — park entrance fees apply. June–October season.
Regulations & License
Fishing in Quebec requires a current license. Always verify season dates, bag limits, and any special-regulation waters before you fish.
Quebec fishing regulations & license →
Nearby Waters
Closest Waters
About Current
Bonaventure River conditions on Current combine real-time flow data (USGS, WSC, CDEC, CEHQ), weather, tide predictions, hatch probabilities calibrated to this specific water, and recent fly shop reports from the area.
Bonaventure River is one of 245 hand-curated waters in Current. The app and web forecast also generate AI outlooks for any unlisted river, lake, or saltwater flat anywhere in the world — drop a pin or paste a name and Current produces a fresh seasonal outlook with weather, flow context, and recommended techniques.
Open the live forecast for today's numbers and the 7-day outlook, or download the iOS app to carry it with you on the water.