Geography and History
The Mistassibi River is a 298-km long river surrounded by wild boreal landscapes located north of Lake St-Jean. The northern part of the river is divided into two branches, the North-West and the North-East Mistassibi. These two branches meet 100 km to the north of Dolbeau-Mistassini and discharge in the famous Lake-St-Jean. Its name originates from the Crie language and signifies “grand river” (mishta for “grand”, sibi for “river”).
The Saguenay-Lake-St-Jean region has a rich historical background. Traveling down the North-West Mistassibi River, you’ll have the chance to follow a path formerly paddled by the indigenous people to reach the Pekuakami (Lake-St-Jean), where they used to spend the summer. These people would meet to celebrate the beginning of the warm season and trade resources. Fur commerce attracted the first colonisers on the territory. The abondance of game and fishes, including beavers and land-locked salmon, then forged the wildlife tourism, bringing visitors from all around the world. Nowadays, the exceptional landscapes and resources the North-West Mistassibi River – Lake au Foin section are recognized by an aquatic reserve project