Salmon counts in the York, Dartmouth, and Saint‑Jean rivers of Gaspé, Quebec, have exceeded 2,000 fish so far this season [1].
This increase indicates a strong recovery for the local fish population compared to the previous year. The surge is vital for the ecological health of the region and the local fishing economy, which relies on the stability of these annual runs.
Bruno Lelièvre said the 2026 season has seen a marked improvement in river conditions [1]. These conditions have facilitated more successful salmon runs, allowing a higher volume of fish to reach the counting stations [1].
The current figures represent a substantial leap from the previous year. At the same point in the 2025 season, only 831 salmon had been recorded [1].
The York, Dartmouth, and Saint‑Jean rivers serve as critical habitats for the species. The disparity between the 831 fish counted in 2025 [1] and the more than 2,000 counted this year [1] suggests a positive shift in the environmental factors affecting the migration patterns in the Gaspé region.
Local monitoring continues as the season progresses. The current data provides a baseline for biologists to determine if this trend is a temporary spike or a long-term recovery of the salmon population in these specific Quebec waterways [1].
“More than 2,000 salmon counted so far”
The significant increase in salmon counts suggests that improved river conditions in the Gaspé region are currently supporting higher survival and migration rates. While a single season's data is not definitive, the jump from 831 to over 2,000 fish indicates a high level of resilience in these specific river systems, potentially offsetting previous declines in the regional salmon population.
