ANGLING

DFO reminds anglers that the 2023 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 2022/23 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 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, 2023 (refer to the 2022/23 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 2022-23 Angler's Guide, which is available online at Anglers' Guide 2022-2023

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

DFO reminds the Public that the Newfoundland and Labrador Recreational Groundfish fishery is closed for the 2022 season.

The Regional Director General, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Newfoundland and Labrador Region gives notice that Variation Orders 2022-080 and 2022-081 have been revoked and Variation Orders 2022-244 and 2022-245 come into effect at 2359 hours on December 31, 2022.

DFO advises that the Fisheries Management Decision for the Recreational Trout fishery in Newfoundland and Labrador is available online at Fisheries Management Decisions for Atlantic Canada, Quebec and the Arctic - 2023 

This is a multi-year plan that will come into effect May 15, 2023.  Management measures such as bag limits, possession limits and season dates remain the same and are outlined online at Fisheries Management Decisions for Atlantic Canada, Quebec and the Arctic - 2023

DFO wishes to advise anglers of the management approach for the 2023 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 the multi-faceted Environmental Protocol.

For additional information, refer to the Fisheries Management Decision online at: Fisheries Management Decisions for Atlantic Canada, Quebec and the Arctic - 2023

Details on the regulations pertaining to retention limits, river classification, closed areas and special management areas are contained in the 2023 - 2024 Angler's Guide which will be available in booklet form or 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, 2022.

Fall catch and release Salmon angling is permitted on the Lower Humber River, Gander River, and Lower Exploits Rivers from September 8, 2022, to October 7, 2022. 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 - Salmon

Labrador:

Zones 1, 2, and 14B will close to Salmon angling on September 15, 2022.

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.

DFO reminds anglers of the following Trout angling season closures:

- Zone 1 (Insular Newfoundland) closed to Trout angling on September 7, 2022. Brown and Rainbow trout angling in selected areas on the Avalon Peninsula and East Coast areas will continue until October 7, 2022.

- Zones 2 and 4 closed to Trout angling on September 7, 2022.

- Zones 3, 5 and 6 closed to Trout angling on September 15, 2022.

- These closures include the Churchill River Drainage Basin Watershed which closes on September 7, 2022 and the Eagle Plateau Management Zone which closes on September 15, 2022.

For further information visit the 2022 - 2023 Angler's Guide on-line at Anglers' Guide 2023-2024

DFO advises anglers that due to extremely high water temperatures and low water levels, the following river in Zone 5 will be restricted to morning angling only effective one hour after sunset on Wednesday, August 31, 2022.

During this period, angling is permitted from one hour before sunrise to 10:00 am each day and will be closed to angling from 10:01 am to one hour before sunrise on the following day.

This river will reopen as conditions improve. Please refer the 2022 Angler's Guide for further information on the environmental protocol.

Zone 5

#62 *Terra Nova River & tributaries, including Maccles Brook

*indicates river has closed sections (reference Angler's Guide 2022-23)

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 Orders 2022-195, 2022-196, 2022-197, 2022-198, and 2022-199 have been revoked and Variation Orders 2022-205, 2022-206, 2022-207, 2022-208 and 2022-209 come into effect at 1800 hours on August 31, 2022.

"Notices to Fish Harvesters" for all commercial fisheries 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 Fish Harvesters" for commercial fisheries sent directly to you by email please contact Karen.Keats-Brett@dfo-mpo.gc.ca

DFO advises anglers that the following river will re-open to normal angling hours as of one hour before sunrise on August 26, 2022.

Zone 4

#50 *Northwest Gander tributary

*indicates river has closed sections (reference Angler’s Guide 2022-23)

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 Orders 2022-184, 2022-185, 2022-186, 2022-187 and 2022-188 have been revoked and Variation Orders 2022-195, 2022-196, 2022-197, 2022-198 and 2022-199 come into effect at 1800 hours on August 25, 2022.

“Notices to Fish Harvesters” for all commercial fisheries 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 Fish Harvesters” for commercial fisheries sent directly to you by email please contact Karen.Keats-Brett@dfo-mpo.gc.ca

DFO advises anglers that the following rivers will re-open to normal angling hours as of one hour before sunrise on August 17, 2022.

Zone 5

#56 Indian Bay river & tributary streams

#57 Northwest Brook, Trinity, Bonavista Bay

#58 Traverse Brook & tributary streams

#59 Middle Brook, including Square Pond Brook & Burnt Pond Brook

#60 Gambo River & tributary streams, including Mint Brook, Narrows, Triton Brook, Riverhead Brook & Parsons Brook

#61 Northwest Brook, Alexander Bay

#62 *Terra Nova River & tributaries, including Maccles Brook

#64 Salmon Brook, Port Blandford, & tributary streams

#65 Southwest Brook, Port Blandford, & tributary streams

Zone 6

#66 Salmon Cove River, Trinity Bay

#67 Trouty River, Trinity Bay

#68 Pope’s Harbour River, Trinity Bay

#69 *Shoal Harbour River & tributaries, Trinity Bay

#70 Deer Harbour River & tributary streams, Trinity Bay

*indicates river has closed sections (reference Angler’s Guide 2022-23)

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 Orders 2022-178, 2022-179, 2022-180, 2022-181 and 2022-182 have been revoked and Variation Orders 2022-184, 2022-185, 2022-186, 2022-187 and 2022-188 come into effect at 1800 hours on August 16, 2022.

"Notices to Fish Harvesters" for all commercial fisheries 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 Fish Harvesters" for commercial fisheries sent directly to you by email please contact Karen.Keats-Brett@dfo-mpo.gc.ca

DFO advises anglers that the following rivers will re-open to normal angling hours as of one hour before sunrise on August 13, 2022.

Zone 11

#111 Bay du Nord River

#112 Simmons Brook & tributary streams, Cinq Island Bay, Fortune Bay

#113 Southwest Brook & tributary streams, Cinq Island Bay, Fortune Bay

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 Orders 2022-172, 2022-173, 2022-174, 2022-175, and 2022-176 have been revoked and Variation Orders 2022-178, 2022-179, 2022-180, 2022-181 and 2022-182 come into effect at 1800 hours on August 12, 2022.

"Notices to Fish Harvesters" for all commercial fisheries 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 Fish Harvesters" for commercial fisheries sent directly to you by email please contact Karen.Keats-Brett@dfo-mpo.gc.ca