Moisie River

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Canoe trip on Moisie River

Katchapahun Rapid with Fish Ladder

The Moisie River is a river in eastern Quebec. Called and known as the Nahanni of the East, it is one of the most beautiful wild rivers of America^[1]. It flows south from Lake Opocopa near the Labrador border to the north shore of the Saint Lawrence River east of Sept-Îles, Quebec. The town of Moisie is located at its mouth. The river is 410 km in length and drains an area of 19,200 km². The length calculated from most commonly used starting point of canoe trips^[2], bridge of highway 389 over Pékans River (at 52:43:48.19 N 67:24:47.31 W) is 373 km^[3].

The river's name is said to originate from an old French word moïse or moyse meaning "marshy banks" or "moist banks"^[1].

The Innu call it "Mishtashipu", "Great River". As they have done for thousands of years, they continue to use the river to reach their northern hunting and fishing grounds. Large parts of the river were also protected by private fishing clubs. There were a number of attempts in recent times to develop hydroelectric projects on the Moisie. However, in 2003, the Quebec government protected a large part of the river's watershed as an aquatic reserve. This prevents activities such as logging, mining and power projects, but permits traditional uses such as hunting and fishing.

This river is the most important spawning grounds for the Atlantic Salmon in eastern North America.

The Moisie river is popular for experienced canoeists having a taste for whitewater. This mighty river flows through a deep valley of glacial origin. The width of valley varies considerably. The continued and almost uninterrupted impressive panoramas of mountains and cliffs make this an unforgettable canoe expedition^[1]^[2]. The Quebec North Shore & Labrador Railway follows the lower section of the Moisie river and provides access to the Quebec-Labrador plateau from which canoeists can reach its headwaters.