The Matane River originates from mountain streams on the western slope of the mont Blanc, located in the Leclercq township, in the Matane Wildlife Reserve. This source is located on the north side of the summit of Mont Blanc, to the southeast of the southeast coast of the Estuary of Saint Lawrence, northeast of the summit of Mont Craggy and from the mouth from the Matane River. From its source, the Matane River flows over divided into the following segments: Upper course of the Matane river :
towards the west in the Matane Wildlife Reserve, showing a steep drop of , to the confluence of the Dontigny stream ;
north-west, up to the confluence of Camp stream ;
north-west, until the confluence of a stream coming from the north-east;
north-west, up to the confluence of a stream coming from the north-east;
southwards, to the north shore of Lac de la Tête, in the shape of a heart;
to the south, crossing Lac de la Tête, to its mouth;
towards the south-east, collecting the water from the outlet of Lake Lebreux, to the mouth of Lake Leclercq which the current crosses towards the south -is on ;
southeasterly, to the north shore of Lac Matane;
towards the south-east, crossing Lac Matane over its full length, to the dam located at its mouth. A road bridge is built on the top of the dam.
Intermediate course of the Matane river From the Lac Matane dam, the Matane river flows over:
south-west in township Cuoq, to a bridge over a forest road;
south-west, to a bridge over a forest road;
towards the southwest, crossing several falls and rapids, as well as passing under a road bridge at the end of the segment, until the confluence of the rivière à la Truite ;
westwards, up to the confluence of the Pitounes stream ;
westward, to the confluence of Simonneau stream ;
north-west, to a bridge over a forest road;
north-west, up to the confluence of a stream ;
westwards, to the confluence of the Saint-Jean stream ;
the most popular is that it comes from Micmac languagemtctan meaning "beaver pool", the region being rich;
the term malécite for "spine", the trajectory of the river through the Gaspé hills allowing the approximation of meaning;
the term Algonquinmatandipives meaning "wreck" or "debris from ship" and would refer to the currents located in front of its mouth into the St. Lawrence River which would have made navigation difficult;
the term "mattawa" or "matawin" meaning "meeting of the waters".
The river is very well known as an important Atlantic salmon sport fishery. This fishery is highly regulated and restricted to fly fishing only. A daily permit is required to be purchased in addition to the Quebec provincial fishing license. All rules are strictly enforced to ensure the conservation and protection of this special salmon resource. Salmon permits can be obtained through the ZEC office in Matane. The river runs through a very scenic valley with a covered bridge, small farms and quaint villages on a section of Route 132. There are over 70 named salmon pools on the river, and it is very popular destination during the summer months. One of the most famous salmon wet flies invented here, and still used locally as well as throughout the Gaspe region, is the Tiger Ghost. The Matane Special, also originally tied by the legendary George Maul of the village of St. Rene du Matane, halfway up the river, is a popular dry fly fished here as well. Much of the upper river and the headwaters are included in a well-protected provincial reserve. The Matane River provides an important spawning habitat for Atlantic salmon. There is a fish ladder at the Mathieu-D'Amours dam in city of Matane with an observation centre where migrating salmon can be viewed.
