What to pack

Having the proper clothing and equipment is an essential ingredient for a successful trip. We have put together a list that we hope will assist you in preparing for your vacation. Having the right gear will make your trip much more enjoyable. If you have any questions on what to bring, please contact us.

The weather on Quebec’s Gaspé Peninsula is very similar to that of the Northeast United States. Summer temperatures may vary from 18-30 Celsius (65-85 Fahrenheit), with June and September being the cooler months. Water temperatures vary from 10 to 15 Celsius ( 50-60 Fahrenheit). We don’t experience many rainy days but we do have showers and thunder showers from time to time. It’s always best to be prepared. 

Clothing & Accessories

• Long & short sleeved shirts

• Long & short pants

• Sweater or pullover

• Polar fleece jacket or vest for mornings and evenings

• Leggings and insulated socks to be worn under waders

• Your favorite fishing hat

• A good quality rain jacket

• Short boots for getting in and out of boats

• Sunscreen

• Camera

Fishing equipment

• Suggested Fly rods 9’ 8/9 wt medium to fast action / 9’ 7 wt fast action

• Spey rod (if preferred ) we do however recommend a singled handed rod as well

• Reel with an adequate drag system capable of holding 150 yards of 20-lb backing.

• Floating weight forward fly line

• Intermediate sink tip fly line for early and late season (optional)

• Breathable waders

• Felt soled wading boots (no studded soles please)

• Wading belt

• Polarized sunglasses

• Fishing vest, chest or fanny pack

• Leader material, we recommend a selection of 8 to 12-lb test

• Fly boxes with a selection of wet and dry fly’s

Equipment, clothing and gear orders prior to your visit are welcome, just let us know what you need. We can have it here for your arrival or have it shipped to your location. We are always available to give our advice and suggestions.

Travelling by Air

Air Canada provides daily flight service between Montreal and Gaspé, Quebec or Bathurst, New Brunswick. There are two scheduled flights both to and from each location daily. Camp Bonaventure is a two-hour drive from both Gaspé and Bathurst. You can either rent a car at the airport or we can pick you up and bring you back.

We are equipped with 6000-foot paved landing strip to accommodate private aircraft. For pilots, our airport code is CYVB.

We provide a pick-up and drop-off service from both Gaspé and Bathurst airports. The cost for each way is $300.

With advance notice we are able to provide you or your group with individually tailored executive aircraft charter service ~ from a twin engine turbo-prop to a wide-bodied jet with intercontinental range. We strongley recommend Independent Jets for a reliable and professional service. 

Traveling By Train

An overnight train from Montreal is also available and is an interesting and enjoyable way to begin and end your trip. The train is equipped with private bedrooms, showers, lounge car and dining car. The train schedule allows for a full day’s fishing on your first and last days at Camp Bonaventure. The train schedule is favorable for anyone flying into Montreal with a scheduled departure from Montreal at 7:00 pm and an arrival at 6:38 am in the town of Campbellton, New Brunswick, only one hour from the Lodge. Departure from Campbellton, New Brunswick is at 21:18 pm, arriving in Montreal at 10:03 am the next morning. The train schedule allows you to have breakfast with us on your first day and an early dinner on your last.

The train departs from Montreal three day a week on Sunday, Wednesday and Friday arriving the next morning in Campbelton, New Brunswick. The return train back to Montreal departs Campbeltown three days a week on Tuesday, Friday and Sunday.

We can arrange for our shuttle to meet you in Campbellton and take you back.

Driving from Houlton, Maine

Travel time from Houlton is approximately 4.5 hours, and a set of directions from Google Maps is available here (the Camp’s co-ordinates are 48.041308,-65.449762).

• After crossing the border at Houlton, Maine follow highway 95 on the Canadian side to the junction with the Trans Canada highway #2.

• Take the Trans Canada #2 West, you will see a sign for Edmunston and St-Leonard. Stay on highway #2 until you see the exit for Campbellton, New Brunswick, (about an hour drive from the border crossing to the Campbellton exit).

• Take the exit to Campbellton, you will be on highway #17.

• Follow #17 for approximately 90 minutes. As a reference point you will drive by the towns of St-Quentin and Kedgwick.

• After 90 minutes you will see an exit for Campbellton, New Brunswick.

• Take this exit and follow the directions to downtown Campbellton. Campbellton is a small town and not difficult to get around.

• Once in Campbellton follow directions to the bridge, for your reference there is a large bridge that crosses from New Brunswick to Quebec.

• After crossing the bridge you will drive approximately two miles to the junction for highway 132.

• Turn right on highway 132 east, you will now be following the south shore of the Gaspe Peninsula. As a reference point you will pass by the towns of Carleton, Maria and New Richmond. The drive from Campbellton to Bonaventure is about 1 hour 15 minutes.

• Once you arrive in Bonaventure you will arrive at a set of traffic lights. There is a large church on the left and a hotel on the right.

• Continue straight through the lights and you will begin to cross the causeway over the estuary of the Bonaventure River. The causeway has two small bridges, immediately after crossing the second bridge you will see a road on your left that follows the estuary.

• This road is called “Vieux Ponts”.

• Turn left on Vieux Ponts and follow it for about 1 mile.

• You will see a road on your right called St-Georges, turn right on St-Georges, it is a gravel road.

• Once on St-George drive only about 100 feet and you will see a gravel road to your left. Turn left on this road and it will bring you to the lodge.

If you have any problems please do not hesitate to call the lodge at 1-800-737-2740 or 418-752-4650 Cell.

Driving from from Montreal & Quebec City

Travel time from Montreal is approximately 9 hours, and a set of directions from Google Maps is available here (the Camp’s co-ordinates are 48.041308,-65.449762).

• From Montreal and Quebec City you will drive east on highway #20 to the junction of highway 132 at the town of Cacouna. From Montreal this is about a 4 hour and 30 minute drive and from Quebec City a 2 hour and 15 minute drive.

• Cacouna is about 15 minutes from the town of Riviere du Loup on the #20.

• At Cacouna you will turn right on to highway 132 east and follow it for about 1 hour 30 minutes to the town of Ste-Flavie. You will pass the town of Rimouski along the way.

• At Ste-Flavie you will see a set of traffic lights, turn right at there lights towards the town of Mont Joli.

• Pass through Mont Joli you will follow the highway #132 towards Matapedia, Quebec, about 1 hour 30 minute drive.

• From Matapedia follow the highway 132 east towards Bonaventure.

• Once you arrive in Bonaventure you will arrive at a set of traffic lights. There is a large church on the left and a hotel on the right.

• Continue straight through the lights and you will begin to cross the causeway over the estuary of the Bonaventure River. The causeway has two small bridges, immediately after crossing the second bridge you will see a road on your left that follows the estuary. This road is called “Vieux Ponts”.

• Turn left on Vieux Ponts and follow it for about 1 mile.

• You will see a road on your right called St-Georges, turn right on St-Georges, it is a gravel road. Once on St-George drive only about 100 feet and you will see a gravel road to your left.

• Turn left on this road and it will bring you to the lodge.

If you have any problems please do not hesitate to call the Lodge at 1-800-737-2740 or 418-752-4650 Cell.

The Camp is at 48.041308,-65.449762.

Driving from Halifax & Moncton

Travel time from Halifax is approximately 9 hours, and a set of directions from Google Maps is available here (the Camp's co-ordinates are 48.041308,-65.449762).

• This distance between Halifax and Moncton is about 2 hours 30 minutes.

• Once you arrive near Moncton follow the signs to Miramichi. Drive towards the town of Miramichi. The distance from Moncton to Miramichi is about 1 hour 30 minutes.

• Once you arrive in Miramichi you will cross a bridge, after crossing this bridge you will follow the signs to Bathurst. Miramichi to Bathurst is about 40 minutes.

• From Batuurst drive to Campbellton.

• Take the first exit to Campbellton. From Bathurst to Campbellton is a one hour drive.

• Take this exit and follow the directions to downtown Campbellton. Campbellton is a small town and not difficult to get around.

• Once in Campbellton follow directions to the bridge, for your reference there is a large bridge that crosses from New Brunswick to Quebec.

• After crossing the bridge you will drive approximately two miles to the junction for highway 132.

• Turn right on highway 132 east, you will now be following the south shore of the Gaspe Peninsula. As a reference point you will pass by the towns of Carleton, Maria and New Richmond. The drive from Campbellton to Bonaventure is about 1 hour 15 minutes.

• Once you arrive in Bonaventure you will arrive at a set of traffic lights. There is a large church on the left and a hotel on the right.

• Continue straight through the lights and you will begin to cross the causeway over the estuary of the Bonaventure River. The causeway has two small bridges, immediately after crossing the second bridge you will see a road on your left that follows the estuary. This road is called “Vieux Ponts”.

• Turn left on Vieux Ponts and follow it for about 1 mile.

• You will see a road on your right called St-Georges, turn right on St-Georges, it is a gravel road.

• Once on St-George drive only about 100 feet and you will see a gravel road to your left. Turn left on this road and it will bring you to the lodge.

If you have any problems please do not hesitate to call the lodge

Camp Bonaventure

1-800-737-2740 Lodge
418-534-3678 Lodge
418-752-4650 Cell

The Camp is located at 48.041308,-65.449762.

Non Fishing Activities

The Gaspé Peninsula is rich in culture, heritage and natural beauty and offers many activities for the non-fisherperson. This special region of Quebec has its own identity and its warm proud people readily share their enthusiasm for life with visitors. The original settlers of the region were of both French and English descent and nearby historical sites depict the lives of those early settlers. Both languages are now commonly used throughout the region. Camp Bonaventure is ideally situated, about midway along the south coast of the peninsula, for visiting many of its attractions.

Hiking and mountain bike trails are located within a half mile from the Lodge and mountain bikes are available. For golfers we are also within ten minutes from a wonderful 18- hole, par 72 golf course. 

The Gaspé is famous for its local artisans many of whom have shops and galleries to visit along the coast. World famous wildlife painter, John Wiseman, has a gallery near the town of Percé. Some of his works are displayed at our camp. The town of Percé is a busy village which offers charm and spectacular scenery. Here the Appalachain Mountain Range plunges into the Atlantic Ocean forming the famous Perce Rock. The resulting geology is very impressive. A day trip to Percé is a definite must. 

This coastline is also a haven to many forms of wildlife. A variety of sea birds are found along the coast and the Provincial Bird Sanctuary on Bonaventure Island hosts the world’s largest population of nesting gannets, and many other sea birds. Trips to the island for bird watching are available. During the summer months the water surrounding the Gaspé are frequented by a number of species of whales. Minkes, Greys and the enormous Blues are commonly seen. Whale watching tours are closely regulated so as not to disturb these magnificent creatures, but allow excellent opportunities to observe them. 

The coastline also offers many beaches and refreshing swimming. Fossils are often found on most of the beaches along the coast, and beachcombing for fossils is becoming popular. In the center of the peninsula the terrain is very mountainous, The Parc de la Gaspesie is a provincial park within these very old Chic-Choc Mountains. This park has many hiking, biking, and driving trails, as well as guided tours. Mount Jacques Cartier, located within the park, is the highest peak in Canada east of the Rockies. The park offers the opportunity to observe arctic flora, caribou, moose, beavers, salmon and numerous species of birds. The Gite du Mont-Albert is an inn located in the park which has a highly regarded restaurant offering gastronomic regional cuisine and an ideal place for lunch or a drink. 

For relaxation of the spirit, mind and body, the Auberge du Parc Inn is a highly regarded spa specializing in Thalasso-therapy. It is located approximately 20 minutes from the Lodge and is housed in early 19th century mansion overlooking the ocean, surrounded by beautiful grounds. The spa offers a vast range of up-to-date facilities and a professionally trained staff. Single or multiple day treatment sessions can be arranged but must be booked in advance.

The towns and villages along the coast have many shops and boutiques, and the larger towns have shopping centers, drug stores, photo shops, etc..

The staff at Camp Bonaventure is happy to assist in arranging outings for any of our guests. Some guests like to explore on their own and there is lots to discover, while others prefer some guided assistance. We are able to help with this as well. Please come and visit with us to learn about this rich area first hand.