Anglers' Guide 2024-2025 - Salmon - Watershed Management Plans and Closed Areas by Salmon Fishing Area (SFA)

Salmon

Watershed Management Plans and Closed Areas by Salmon Fishing Area (SFA)

Individual Watershed Management Plans have been developed to improve angling opportunities and to help meet conservation objectives by taking into consideration the health of individual river stocks. Regulations may affect bag limit, season length, fish length and limit of fish retained.

SFA 1

WATERSHED MANAGEMENT PLANS

  • SFA 1: No watershed management plan.

CLOSED FOR THE SEASON (SFA 1)

  • Makkovik Brook (Makkovik, Labrador).
  • English River: 25 metres above and 25 metres below the counting fence.

SFA 2

WATERSHED MANAGEMENT PLANS

  • SFA 2: No watershed management plan.

CLOSED FOR THE SEASON (SFA 2)

  • Southwest Brook, Paradise River: from 25 metres above and below the counting fence.
  • Sand Hill River: from 25 metres above and 60 metres below the counting fence.
  • Dykes River (Muddy Bay Brook): 25 metres above and below the counting fence.

SFA 3

WATERSHED MANAGEMENT PLANS

MAIN RIVER (SOP’S ARM)

Classification

Class 4

  • Main stem of Main River (Sop’s Arm).

Additional measures

  • Catch-and-release only on Sunshine Pool from 150 metres below to 300 metres above falls.
  • Catch-and-release only on Northwest branch of Main River.
  • Angling not permitted within 23 metres downstream from any obstacle or leap (falls). This regulation applies to both Sunshine Pool and Wardens Pool.

Closed for the Season: Angling not permitted within 23 metres downstream from any obstacle or leap (falls). This regulation applies to both Sunshine Pool and Wardens Pool. Section of Northwest branch of Main River (Sop’s Arm River) 300 metres below to 300 metres above the falls at Wardens Pool.

CLOSED FOR THE SEASON (SFA 3)

  • No additional closures.

SFA 4

WATERSHED MANAGEMENT PLANS

EXPLOITS RIVER

Classification

Class 6

  • Main stem of Lower Exploits River, from Stoney Brook downstream to Exploits Bay.
  • September 8 to October 7: fall fishery, catch-and-release only. Fall angling not permitted on tributaries.

Class 4

  • Lower Exploits River tributaries below Grand Falls, including Stoney Brook, Little Rattling Brook, Great Rattling Brook, Three Brooks, and Greenwoods Brook.

Class 2

  • Mid-Exploits River and tributaries, from the Grand Falls fishway to Red Indian Lake dam, including Harpoon Brook, Badger Brook, Noel Paul’s Brook, Little Red Indian Brook, Tom Joe Brook, West Brook/Sandy Brook and tributaries.

Class 0 (catch-and-release only)

  • Exploits River Watershed above Red Indian Lake dam, including Victoria River, Mary March Brook, Lloyds River and all other tributary streams flowing into Red Indian Lake.
Special Management Section
  • Main stem below Red Indian Lake Dam, 25 metres below fishway, downstream to Abitibi-Bowater steel bridge
    • May 15–July 15: retention angling only for ouananiche. No retention of ouananiche 25 centimeters or less, or 35 centimeters or greater. No retention of Atlantic salmon.
    • July 16–September 7: catch-and-release angling permitted for salmon and ouananiche only.
    • Anglers must possess a salmon angling licence. Salmon angling regulations for scheduled rivers apply.

GANDER RIVER

Classification

Class 6

  • Main stem of the Lower Gander River.

Class 4

  • Northwest Gander River and tributary streams.

Class 2

  • All other tributaries of the Gander River Watershed, with the exception of the colonized areas*.

*Colonized areas

Class 0 (catch-and-release only)

  • All waters above Big Dead Wolf Falls, including Watchers and Caribou Brook on Big Dead Wolf River (tributary of the Southwest Gander), and all waters above Great Gull Falls on Great Gull River (tributary of Northwest Gander).

Closed for the Season: Salmon Brook tributary, from fishway, downstream 245 metres to Lily Pond. Gander River from 30 metres below to 5 metres above where Salmon Brook flows into it at the high water mark.

RAGGED HARBOUR RIVER and tributary streams

Classification

Class 2

Closed for the Season: Ragged Harbour River, from 61 metres below to six metres above dam at Lower Ragged Harbour River Falls.

CLOSED FOR THE SEASON (SFA 4)

  • Burlington River, from 120 metres below to 38 metres above bridge on Highway 413.
  • Exploits River, from Stoney Brook up to the Grand Falls dam.
  • Exploits River main stem below the Bishops Falls dam: on the south side, from dam down 200 metres to foot of rapids; on the north side, from dam downstream to the hydro-electric generating station tailrace.
  • Campbellton River, from 25 metres below to 25 metres above bridge on Highway 340.
  • Gander River, from 30 metres below to 5 metres above where Salmon Brook flows into Gander River high water mark.
  • Salmon Brook, Gander River tributary, from fishway, downstream 245 metres to Lily pond.
  • Barry’s Brook, Gander River tributary, from Leap Falls to a point 150 metres downstream.
  • Deadman’s Bay River, from 25 metres above first falls to 25 metres downstream from highway bridge.
  • Rattling Brook, from the power house to the Exploits River/Bay of Exploits.
  • Rattling Brook section of the river above the power house upstream to Goulding’s spillway/intake/diversion fence, together with the section upstream between Goulding’s spillway/intake/diversion fence to the new Amy’s dam outlet, to be closed until July 8.
  • Rattling Brook waters above Amy’s Dam as marked by DFO closure signs.

SFA 5

WATERSHED MANAGEMENT PLANS

NORTHWEST RIVER, PORT BLANDFORD

Classification

Class 1 (one fish)

  • River will open to angling on June 22nd for a total quota of 100 fish.
  • Catch-and-release angling not permitted for salmon greater than 30 centimeters and less than 63 centimeters.
  • No person shall fish 100m above or below the salmon counting fence.
  • A provincial inland fishery licence and a valid tag are required to angle Northwest River. Anglers are also required to obtain a National Park salmon licence and tag. All salmon must be tagged with both a ‘valid’ red provincial salmon tag, (with month and day of capture cut out and removed), and a Parks Canada issued salmon tag.
  • The National Park salmon licence is free and will be available at the Northwest River Kiosk in the park on June 21st. For kiosk hours, please call 709-427-4587 on or after June 21st.
  • Northwest River will follow Fisheries and Oceans Environmental Protocol as outlined in this guide. However, Northwest River may close completely at any time if water levels are deemed too low for salmon passage; and/or concerns arise related to the long term sustainability of the salmon population.
  • Pursuant to section 7.1(1) of the National Parks of Canada Fishing Regulations, every person who holds a salmon licence and catches a salmon within Terra Nova National Park of Canada shall immediately present the entire salmon for registration at the designated area in the parking lot near the Trans Canada Highway approximately 500m from the north bank of the Northwest River.

Closed for the Season: All portions of Northwest River outside boundaries of Terra Nova National Park. Section of Northwest River known as Jigging Hole, as identified by closure signs.

TERRA NOVA RIVER

Classification

Class 2 (described from upstream to downstream)

  • Main stem, from a point 200 metres above 8 mile bridge to a point 300 metres below 8 mile bridge.
  • Main stem, from a point 200 metres above the old dam site at the outlet from Terra Nova Lake to a point 300 metres below the old dam site.
  • Main stem, from a point 800 metres below the Terra Nova Fishway (Big Falls) to a point 25 metres below Briffet's/Second Steady.
  • Main stem from a point 25 metres above Island pool to the town of Glovertown except from Morine's Pool (the Bench).
  • July 10-September 7**: Starlight Pool and from a point 15 metres below the Brown Rock downstream to a point 25 metres above Island Pool.

Class 0 (catch-and-release only) (described from upstream to downstream)

  • All sections of the river and tributaries above a point 200 metres above 8 mile bridge.
  • Main stem from a point 300 metres below 8 mile bridge to a point 200 metres above old dame site at the lower end of Terra Nova Lake.
  • Main stem from a point 25 metres below the Terra Nova fishway (Big Falls), downstream to a point 800 metres below Terra Nova fishway. 
  • Main stem from a point 25 metres below Briffett's/Second Steady to a point above island Pool. (Except for the section included in the July 10th opening described above.**)
  • All sections of river from a point 50 metres above Spring Pool downstream to a point 15 metres below Brown Rock.
  • Main steam from a point 100 meters above Morine's Pool (the Bench) to a point 25 metres below Morine's Pool (the Bench).
  • All (including Pitts Brook, Georges Brook, Saunders Brook, Butts Brook, Russells Brook and Pinsents Brook) above the DFO signs posted 200 metres above the old Terra Nova Lake Dam.

Closed for the season: Mainstem from a point 300 metres below Terra Nova Lake dam (identified by DFO signs) to 25 metres below the  fishway (identified by DFO signs).

CLOSED FOR THE SEASON (SFA 5)

  • Section of Northwest River 100m above and below the salmon counting fence.

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SFA 6

WATERSHED MANAGEMENT PLANS

  • SFA 6: No watershed management plan.

CLOSED FOR THE SEASON (SFA 6)

  • Bellevue River, from lower end of the culvert on the TCH downstream to upper side of new bridge on Route 201.
  • Shoal Harbour River, from mouth of the dam/fishway to 25 metres above the water supply dam, as indicated by the DFO closure signs.
  • Section of Salmon Cove River 25 metres below the culvert that crosses the Cabot Highway, to 50 metres above the culvert.

SFA 7

WATERSHED MANAGEMENT PLANS

  • SFA 7 : No watershed management plan.

CLOSED FOR THE SEASON (SFA 7)

  • North River (Conception Bay), from 50 metres above falls down to where Southern Stank Brook enters river.
  • Goulds Brook, tributary to South River, Conception Bay, from the Retreat Centre up to Makinsons Highway bridge.
  • The portion of Shearstown River, Conception Bay, 6 metres above the Conception Bay Highway Bridge, downstream 6 metres below the Conception Bay Highway Bridge.

SFA 8

WATERSHED MANAGEMENT PLANS

  • SFA 8 : No watershed management plan.

CLOSED FOR THE SEASON (SFA 8)

  • Witless Bay River, from the powerhouse to a point 25 metres downstream.

SFA 9

WATERSHED MANAGEMENT PLANS

COLINET RIVER

Classification

Class 2

CLOSED FOR THE SEASON (SFA 9)

  • Northeast Brook, Trepassey.
  • Northwest Brook, Trepassey, at Ladder Falls from top of falls to 25 metres downstream.
  • Branch River, from the Route 100 causeway (Maurice’s Meadow) over the river to a point 915 metres upstream.
  • Portion of Salmonier River known as Metcalfe’s Falls to a point 23 metres below the falls.

SFA 10

WATERSHED MANAGEMENT PLANS

  • SFA 10 : No watershed management plan.

CLOSED FOR THE SEASON (SFA 10)

  • That portion of Southeast River, Placentia from 23 metres below Beaver Falls to 23 metres above Beaver Falls.
  • Salmonier River (Lamaline), from 168 metres on west side of upper part of bridge to bait and spinner signs, and 240 metres downstream to ocean on east side of upper part of the bridge.
  • Northeast River, Placentia, from 30 metres below to 23 metres above fishway.
  • Cape Rodger River, at top of the falls, as marked by DFO closure signs.
  • Cape Rodger River, at Corner Pool, as marked by DFO closure signs.

SFA 11

WATERSHED MANAGEMENT PLANS

CONNE RIVER

Classification

Class 2

  • Open June 21: only if 425 salmon (total small and large) through counting fence by June 20.
  • If opened June 21, river will close July 5-8 for an in-season review which will determine if angling will resume.

Special Management Sections

  • Lower section of Conne River from top of Sandy Steady to river mouth limited to retention only.
  • Retention and catch-and-release angling are permitted on the section of Conne River upstream from Sandy Steady, including tributaries.

Closed for the Season: Conne River, where Bernard’s tributary empties into main stem. Downstream within 80 metres of the DFO counting fence wing on the west bank, 120 metres from wing on east bank, and upstream within 100 metres of counting fence trap.

CLOSED FOR THE SEASON (SFA 11)

  • Jigging Hole, as marked by DFO caution signs on Garnish River.
  • Little River, Bay d’Espoir, from its mouth to Big Falls.
  • Garnish River, 23 metres above and below the counting fence.
  • Grand Bank Brook, from its mouth to the upstream side of the bridge on Marine Drive.

SFA 12

WATERSHED MANAGEMENT PLANS

  • SFA 12 : No watershed management plan.

CLOSED FOR THE SEASON (SFA 12)

  • Burnt Island River from the Otter Rub to its source.

SFA 13

WATERSHED MANAGEMENT PLANS

HUMBER RIVER

Classification

Class 6

  • September 8–October 7: fall fishery, catch-and-release only on the Lower Humber River from Boom Siding to Shellbird Island. Fall angling not permitted on tributaries.
  • June 1–July 31: Adies Lake open.

Class 0 (catch and release only)

  • South Brook, a tributary of the Humber River.

Closed for the Season: Humber River, from a line between Lundrigan’s Wharf and Wild Cove Point, upstream to Ballam Bridge. Humber River (Deer Lake): tailrace, from the Deer Lake Power Company power house to a point 25 metres west of Hinton Bridge (northwest) on the TCH and 25 metres east of the Hinton Bridge (northeast) on the TCH. North Brook (Deer Lake), a tributary of Humber River. All streams flowing into Adies Lake.

BAY ST. GEORGE SOUTH RIVERS

Highland’s River, Crabbe’s River, Middle Barachois River, Robinson’s River, Fischell’s Brook

Classification

Class 2

  • Highland’s River from TCH to river mouth, Crabbe’s River, Robinson’s River, Fischell’s Brook and Middle Barachois River.

Additional measures

  • Salmon 60 centimetres or greater must be released on Robinson’s River, Fischell’s Brook and Middle Barachois River.

Closed for the Season: Section of Crabbe’s River, including Twelve Mile Pool, upstream to its source. Section of Barachois River, including Mine Pool, upstream to its source. Section of Robinson’s River, including Chatter Pool, upstream to Big Falls at Mile 18. Highlands River, from TCH upstream to river source.

BAY ST. GEORGE NORTH RIVERS

Flat Bay Brook, Little Barachois Brook, Southwest and Bottom Brooks, Harry’s River

Classification

Class 2

  • Retention angling permitted on Bottom Brook, Southwest Brook and Little Barachois Brook.
  • June 1: main stem of Harry’s River from Home Pool downstream to river mouth, and Flat Bay Brook open to retention angling. Rivers will be a Class 2 and may become a Class 4 subject to in-season review results.

Additional measures

  • Catch and release angling only on George’s Lake and Pinchgut Lake.

Closed for the Season: Section of Flat Bay Brook above the Look Out Brook run, upstream to its source. Section of Little Barachois Brook, including Old Logger School, upstream to its source. Southwest Brook, from Second Logging at Mile 19, upstream to its source. Harry’s River system above Home Pool, including Spruce Brook, Little George’s, Pinchgut River, Meadows Brook, Stagg Hill Brook and Gull Pond. Any waters within 23 metres upstream or downstream of the counting facility at area known as Gale’s Pit.

CLOSED FOR THE SEASON (SFA 13)

  • Great Codroy River from the mouth of Crooked Brook (Great Codroy River tributary) upstream to falls.
  • Bullhouse Brook (Great Codroy River tributary) from upper side of bridge at the TCH, upstream to its source.
  • Cook’s Brook.
  • Corner Brook Stream and tributaries, from the falls at the gorge to the mouth, including all tributaries on this section.
  • Blanche Brook.
  • Warm Creek/Brook river system (Stephenville) and tributaries of the main stem including the connecting ponds of Noels Pond, Little Long Pond, and White Sail Pond.
  • Romaine’s Brook, from Main Bridge to the headwaters.

SFA 14A

WATERSHED MANAGEMENT PLANS

  • SFA 14A : No watershed management plan.

CLOSED FOR THE SEASON (SFA 14A)

  • Trout River.
  • West River (St. Barbe).
  • Deer Arm River, Gros Morne National Park, between Ten Mile Pond and Eastern Arm Pond, also known as Deer Arm Pond.
  • All waters of the Western Brook drainage basin, including Western Brook, Western Brook Pond and Stag Brook.
  • Lomond Main River, from 23 metres below fish ladder entrance, up to outlet from Bonne Bay Big Pond.
  • Kate’s Feeder, from River of Ponds Lake to its source.
  • Big Feeder Brook, from River of Ponds Lake to its source.
  • Bound Brook, Belburns.
  • Little Brook Ponds watershed: Goose Nest Brook and main stream, from its outflow from Little Brook Pond down to salt water.
  • East River (Hawke’s Bay), from 25 meters below bridge on Highway 430, upstream to 25 metres above falls.
  • Manual’s Feeder and Rose’s Feeder (tributaries to St. Genevieve River).
  • Parker’s River (West Brook, Pistolet Bay), from highway bridge on route 430 downstream to river mouth, as posted by signs.
  • Torrent River, that portion of the river from the lower end (entrance) of the fishway, downstream to 20 metres below Clifty Falls.

SFA 14B

WATERSHED MANAGEMENT PLANS

  • SFA 14B : No watershed management plan.

CLOSED FOR THE SEASON (SFA 14B)

  • No closed areas for SFA 14B.
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