Lac-au-Saumon is a charming municipality nestled in the Canadian province of Quebec. It is situated within the La Matapédia Regional Council Municipality in the picturesque Matapédia Valley. As of the Canada 2021 Census, Lac-au-Saumon is home to 1,488 residents. The village is beautifully positioned on the shores of the eponymous Lac au Saumon, or "Salmon Lake," an enlargement of the Matapédia River. Once a thriving spawning ground for salmon, the lake's reputation has been marred by pollution from mills.
The history of Lac-au-Saumon dates back to 1863 when the area first opened up to colonization. The Mission of Saint-Edmond-du-Lac-au-Saumon was established in 1876, but it wasn't until 1896 that the area saw significant settlement. This was triggered by the arrival of a group of Acadians from the Magdalen Islands. The following year, the Lac-au-Saumon post office opened its doors.
In 1904, the Municipality of Saint-Edmond was incorporated, separating from the Parish Municipality of Saint-Benoît-Joseph-Labre (now known as Amqui). The next year saw the establishment of the Village Municipality of Lac-au-Saumon. On December 17, 1997, the Village Municipality of Lac-au-Saumon and the Municipality of Saint-Edmond amalgamated to form the new Municipality of Lac-au-Saumon.
Lac-au-Saumon is conveniently located approximately 10 kilometers between the two main towns of La Matapédia, Amqui, and Causapscal. It lies on Route 132, the main communication axis of Bas-Saint-Laurent and Gaspésie. The route passes on the north side of the lake, while the majority of the village is situated to the south. To the north of the lake, visitors can find the Notre Dame Mountains, which form part of the Chic-Chocs mountains.
The demographic data of Lac-au-Saumon, Quebec, prior to the 2001 merger, is available through the Canada Census. The current population, as per the 2021 Census, stands at 1,488 residents.
