Updated on May 16, 2024
Do you want to have fun on the water this summer? Great! In the Eastern Townships, you’ll find plenty of lakes and rivers that will delight canoe and kayak enthusiasts. Whether you own a boat or not, you’ll have plenty of choices for your next outing on the water!
NB: Before leaving home, find out about the hours and the rental services offered.
Please note that some of the places mentioned in this article, among others, Lake Memphremagog, require all watercraft owners to present a valid washing certificate. You’ll be able to obtain this certificate at any boat launch washing station. Contact the municipality to learn all the details.
For an urban water outing, choose the Magog River with its navigating portion that will take you from the Petit Lac Magog in Deauville to the Lac-des-Nations in Sherbrooke and is part of the Corridor Bleu. When you follow this fifteen kilometres or so, calm waterway, you’ll discover the city of Sherbrooke from a whole other perspective. You can rent your watercraft by going to Maison de l’eau situated in the Lucien-Blanchard Park in Sherbrooke.
The St-François River runs through the city of Sherbrooke and is also part of the Corridor Bleu. From Lennoxville to Brompton, an excursion of 16.5 km will take you through both urban and rural landscapes.
You can also go on a guided excursion which starts out in Richmond with Canot-Kayak Richmond. The company offers one 10 km route and one that covers 17 km.
From Eastman to the village of Highwater near Mansonville, the North Missisquoi River runs quietly for 46 km through a quiet, almost untouched nature. This little-known route will allow you to paddle with total peace of mind. Several launch sites have been set up all along the river shores to facilitate its access.
However, you must be careful! Some sections are off-limits to navigation because there are rapids or dams here. It’s also important to check water levels according to the period you’ll go. Some segments, especially in the Eastman sector, can be very low in the middle of the summer.
For those who don’t have a boat, the Canoë & Co enterprise, on the shores of the Missisquoi River in Glen Sutton, offers rental and shuttle services as well as Station O'Kataventure in Mansonville.
With an unbelievable view of Mount Orford, navigating in the calm waters of the Marais de la Rivière aux Cerises (Cherry River Marsh) is truly amazing.
You can rent kayaks, canoes and paddle boards at Vie de plein air or at the Club de Voile Memphrémagog.
Aquaticook, covers three portions of the Coaticook River, accessible for kayaks or canoes and takes you on a 42 km circuit. From Waterville to Coaticook, you paddle through urban, forest and agricultural zones. You’ll even pass under a covered bridge! Several boat launches have been set up to facilitate your access to the water.
A small lake covering 14 km2, Brome Lake is perfect for practising nautical activities such as canoeing, kayaking and paddle boarding because there are few motor boats here. You can find a launch ramp for small boats is available for free at Tiffany Park.
The Townships’ national parks, except for Mount Megantic, all offer places where you can have fun paddling on their waterways. They include Stukely and Fraser Lakes and the Étang aux Cerises in Mount Orford’s National Park, the Choinière Reservoir in the Yamaska National Park, or Grand lac Saint-François in the Frontenac National Park. No matter what your destination is, you’re sure to find magnificent landscapes and a very diversified wildlife.
You would like to learn more? Consult our Eastern Townships web site’s Water Sports page.
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