Miscou Island

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View of fishing boats on Miscou Island, showing the Miscou Island Bridge in the background.

Miscou Island (French:Île Miscou) is a Canadian island in the Gulf of St. Lawrence at the northeastern tip of Gloucester County, New Brunswick.

The island has an area measuring approximately 640 km². It is separated from neighbouring Lamèque Island to the southwest by the Miscou Channel with both islands forming Miscou Harbour.

The Miscou Channel is bridged between the community of Little Shippegan on Lamèque Island to the community of Miscou Harbour on Miscou Island by the 2000 metre Miscou Island Bridge which opened in 1996, replacing a cable ferry.

Lamèque Island and Miscou Island separate Chaleur Bay from the Gulf of Saint Lawrence.

[edit] Community

As of 2001, the island had a population of 643. The island is mostly settled by Acadians, and is culturally considered to be part of the Acadian Peninsula region. Most people speak French but many are bilingual, as well as a smaller English speaking population.

The major industry is fishing, mostly for lobster and herring, although the peat industry is important as well.

The island is known for the Miscou Island Lighthouse, which was built in 1856 and is located at the northeastern tip of the island.

The island's sand dunes and lagoons host a variety of migratory birds, making the island a favourite location for birding.