ANGLING

DFO wishes to advise anglers that fishing is closed 100 metres downstream of the fishway located on Northwest Brook.

Fishways and counting fences on some rivers may temporarily delay upstream migration, particularly when water levels are low, and result in schooling of fish below the facility prior to their movement up-river. The fishing closure within the vicinity of the counting fence will increase successful upstream migration of salmon and minimize unnecessary stress due to angling.

The Regional Director General, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Newfoundland and Labrador Region gives notice that Variation Orders 2024-057, 2024-058, 2024-059, 2024-060, and 2024-061 have been revoked and Variation Orders 2024-068, 2024-069, 2024-070, 2024-071, and 2024-072 come into effect on June 1, 2024.

"Notices to Anglers" are now available online under the Fishery Notices link on the DFO NL Region webpage at Newfoundland and Labrador Region

If you would like to have all “Notices to Anglers” for recreational fisheries sent directly to you by email please contact: miranda.pryor@dfo-mpo.gc.ca

FISHERIES AND OCEANS CANADA

DFO advises anglers that the season dates for the 2024 Atlantic Salmon recreational fishery are:

Insular Newfoundland - June 1 to September 7, 2024

Labrador - June 15 to September 15, 2024

Management measures include:

- Anglers will be permitted to retain a total of two salmon with a maximum of one salmon on Class 2 rivers.

- A catch and release limit of three fish per day for all scheduled rivers in Newfoundland and Labrador with the exception of Class 0 rivers. On Class 0 rivers anglers are permitted to catch and release a limit of two fish per day.

- The retention of salmon on non-scheduled waters is not permitted.

- The continuation of the multi-faceted Environmental Protocol.

Details on the regulations pertaining to bag limits, river classification, closed areas, and special management areas are contained in the 2024 - 2025 Angler’s Guide which is available online at Anglers' Guide 2024-2025

Check out our short video on best practices for catch and release angling: Best practices for catch and release of Atlantic salmon

The Regional Director General, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Newfoundland and Labrador Region gives notice that Variation Orders 2023-236, 2023-237, 2023-238, 2023-239, 2023-240, and 2023-247 have been revoked and Variation Orders 2024-057, 2024-058, 2024-059, 2024-060, 2024-061 and 2024-062 come into effect on May 29, 2024.

"Notices to Anglers" are now available online under the Fishery Notices link on the DFO NL Region webpage at Newfoundland and Labrador Region

If you would like to have all “Notices to Anglers” for recreational fisheries sent directly to you by email please contact: miranda.pryor@dfo-mpo.gc.ca

DFO advises that the 2024 summer Trout season for Zone 1 (insular Newfoundland) opens on May 15, 2024, and will remain open until September 7, 2024.

Bag limits and possession limits for insular Newfoundland remain the same: daily bag limit for Trout (includes Speckled trout, Brown trout, Rainbow trout and Ouananiche) is 12 Trout or 2.25 kg + 1 Trout, round weight (which can be a combination of any of the species - Speckled, Brown, Rainbow, Ouananiche); possession limit is twice the daily bag limit.

Details on the regulations pertaining to bag limits, river classification, closed areas, and special management areas are contained in the 2024 - 2025 Angler’s Guide which is available online at Anglers' Guide 2024-2025

"Notices to Anglers" are now available online under the Fishery Notices link on the DFO NL Region webpage at Newfoundland and Labrador Region

If you would like to have all "Notices to Anglers" for recreational fisheries sent directly to you by email please contact: miranda.pryor@dfo-mpo.gc.ca

DFO reminds anglers that the winter trout angling season for Zone 1 (Insular Newfoundland) closes on April 15, 2024. Angling for trout in tidal waters is still permitted outside DFO caution signs. However, the daily bag limit applies.

"Notices to Anglers" are now available online under the Fishery Notices link on the DFO NL Region webpage at Newfoundland and Labrador Region

If you would like to have all "Notices to Anglers" for recreational fisheries sent directly to you by email please contact: miranda.pryor@dfo-mpo.gc.ca

DFO reminds anglers that the 2024 Trout and Smelt winter angling seasons in non-scheduled waters throughout Newfoundland and Labrador will open as follows:

Trout season dates:

Zone 1 (Insular Newfoundland) - February 1

Zone 2 (Labrador Straits) - March 1

Zone 3 (Southeastern Labrador) - February 1

Zone 4 (Western Labrador) - February 1

Zone 5 (Central Labrador) - February 1

Zone 6 (Northern Labrador) - February 1

There are exceptions to these dates for Special Trout Management Areas.

Consult the 2023/24 Angler's Guide for specific information on these Special Trout Management Areas.

Daily bag limits:

The daily bag limit for inland and tidal waters of insular Newfoundland for all trout species combined, and for Brook Trout in Labrador, is 12 trout or 2.25 kg plus one fish, whichever is reached first.

In Labrador, the daily bag limit and possession limit for Lake Trout is three fish in Zones 3-6. The daily bag limit for Lake Trout in Zone 2 is two fish, with a four-fish possession limit. The daily bag limit for Arctic Char and Northern Pike is two fish, with a four-fish possession limit. In the Special Trout Management Area of the Eagle Plateau Management Zone, Chateau Pond and Gilbert's Lake the daily bag limit is six Speckled (Brook) Trout or 1.13 kg plus one fish, whichever is reached first, and the possession limit is equal to the daily bag limit.

Refer to the Angler's Guide for Special Trout Management Area daily bag limits.

Possession limit:

The possession limit is twice the daily bag limit with the exception of the Special Trout Management Areas, where the possession limit is the daily bag limit.

Angling gear:

While fishing through the ice, anglers are permitted to use three separate lines which must be closely and constantly attended by the angler.

Smelt:

Smelt angling in non-scheduled inland waters of insular Newfoundland and in Labrador are subject to the same season dates as trout angling, with the exception of those ponds that opened January 15, 2024 (refer to the 2023/24 Angler's Guide). There is no bag or possession limit for Smelt, and no bag or possession limit for Whitefish in Labrador.

For a complete list of trout angling information, please consult the 2023-24 Angler's Guide, which is available online at 2023-24 Angler's Guide

DFO reminds anglers to take precautions before venturing out on the ice or water this season.

DFO wishes to advise anglers of the management approach for the 2024 Atlantic Salmon recreational fishery.

Season Dates:

Insular Newfoundland - June 1 to September 7

Labrador - June 15 to September 15

Management Measures:

Anglers will be permitted to retain a total of two salmon, with a maximum of one salmon on Class 2 rivers.

A catch and release limit of three fish per day for all scheduled rivers in Newfoundland and Labrador with the exception of Class 0 rivers. On Class 0 rivers, anglers are permitted to catch and release a maximum of two fish per day.

The retention of salmon on non-scheduled waters is not permitted.

The continuation of a multi-faceted Environmental Protocol.  Details will be outlined in the 2024-2025 Angler’s Guide.

For additional information, refer to the Fisheries Management Decision online at: Fisheries Management Decisions for Atlantic Canada, Quebec and the Arctic - 2024

Details on the regulations pertaining to retention limits, river classification, closed areas and special management areas are contained in the 2024-2025 Angler's Guide which will be available in booklet form or on-line at Anglers' Guide 2023-2024 in the coming months.

DFO reminds the Public that the Newfoundland and Labrador Recreational Groundfish fishery is closed for 2023 season.

The Regional Director General, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Newfoundland and Labrador Region gives notice that Variation Orders 2023-106 and 2023-107 have been revoked and Variation Orders 2023-308 and 2023-309 come into effect at 2359 hours on December 31, 2023.

DFO advises anglers that the following rivers will re-open to normal angling hours as of one hour before sunrise on September 2, 2023.

Salmon Fishing Area 2:

13. Hawke River

14. Gilbert River

15. Shinney’s River

178. St. Charles River and tributaries

179. St. Lewis River and tributaries

180. Port Marnham Brook and tributaries

181. Alexis River and tributaries

For more information please visit the In Season River Status website at In-Season River Status or call the Angling Line at 709-772-2045.

The Regional Director General, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Newfoundland and Labrador Region gives notice that Variation Order 2023-191 has been revoked and Variation Order 2023-247 comes into effect at 1800 hours on September 1, 2023.

“Notices to Anglers” are now available online under the Fishery Notices link on the DFO NL Region webpage at Newfoundland and Labrador Region

If you would like to have all “Notices to Anglers” for fisheries sent directly to you by email please contact danielle.nichols@dfo-mpo.gc.ca

DFO reminds anglers of the following Trout angling season closures:

- Zone 1 (Insular Newfoundland) closed to Trout angling on September 7, 2023. Brown and Rainbow trout angling in selected areas on the Avalon Peninsula and East Coast areas will continue until October 7, 2023.

- Zones 2 and 4 closed to Trout angling on September 7, 2023.

- Zones 3, 5 and 6 closed to Trout angling on September 15, 2023.

- These closures include the Churchill River Drainage Basin Watershed which closes on September 7, 2023 and the Eagle Plateau Management Zone which closes on September 15, 2023.

For further information visit the Angler's Guide on-line at:

Anglers' Guide 2023-2024

DFO reminds anglers of the following Salmon angling season closures:

Insular Newfoundland:

Zones 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13 and 14A will close to Salmon angling on September 7, 2023.

Fall catch and release Salmon angling is permitted on the Lower Humber River, Gander River, and Lower Exploits Rivers from September 8, 2023, to October 7, 2023. Retention of Salmon is not permitted. Catch-and-Release angling as follows:

- main stem of Lower Exploits River, from Stoney Brook to river mouth;

- main stem of Lower Humber River, from Boom Siding (outlet of Deer Lake) to lower end of Shellbird Island;

- main stem of Gander River from outlet on Gander Lake to river mouth.

- Angling not permitted on any tributaries of these rivers;

- Daily catch-and-release bag limit of three Salmon;

Please refer to the Angler's Guide for more detailed information: Anglers' Guide 2023-2024

Labrador:

Zones 1, 2, and 14B will close to Salmon angling on September 15, 2023.

Anglers are reminded to complete their Salmon Angling Log. Angling log data is an important tool in the stock assessment process. If you purchased a license and did not fish, it is important to let us know. If you did fish please record your daily angling activity as accurately as possible. Check the appropriate box and submit your form.

The Salmon Angling Log can be found online at Salmon Angling Return Form

Play a part in conserving the resource. Submit your form today.