Rivière Jacques-Cartier is one of Quebec's most celebrated cold-water fisheries, carving a dramatic glacial valley through the Laurentian Mountains just north of Quebec City. Fed by Lac Jacques-Cartier — a glacial lake sitting at approximately 783 metres (2,569 feet) elevation in the Laurentides Wildlife Reserve — the river flows through steep forested cliffs and boreal wilderness before descending southward through Parc national de la Jacques-Cartier and eventually toward the St. Lawrence lowlands. The combination of cold, oxygen-rich water, spectacular valley scenery, and accessible wilderness infrastructure makes this river a premier destination for anglers throughout Quebec and beyond.