Matamec Ecological Reserve

Matamec Ecological Reserve is a protected area covering about 18,500 hectares of land crossed by the Matamec River and various aquatic habitats in northern Quebec. The terrain contains a mix of forests, river valleys, and wetland areas spread throughout the reserve.

The area began attracting scientific research from the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution starting in the 1960s, with studies on salmon and trout populations. These investigations between 1966 and 1984 provided key findings about the fish communities in this region.

The name Matamec comes from the Innu language and means trout, showing how indigenous peoples have long understood the importance of this water-filled land. Today, the reserve carries this heritage in its name and in the fish species that still thrive in its rivers.

Access to the reserve is restricted and requires advance permission from Quebec's Ministry of Environment due to strict conservation rules. Visitors should arrange authorization well ahead of time before planning their visit to this protected area.

Five notable waterfalls occur within a 10-kilometer section of the Matamec River, each creating different ecological zones. These falls add to the diversity of habitats that make this reserve distinctive.