Anglers' Guide 2025-2026 - Salmon – Frequently Asked Questions

Salmon - Frequently Asked Questions

 

Can I retain salmon alive?

Salmon may not be retained alive.

 

Can I fillet my salmon on the river?

Salmon taken by angling may not be headed, filleted, canned or otherwise dealt with so as to make it impossible to readily determine the species, length, weight and number of the fish.

 

Can I sell my catch?

No person shall buy, sell, trade, barter or offer to buy, sell, trade or barter any fish unless it was caught and retained under the authority of a licence issued for the purpose of commercial fishing.

 

What do I do if I lose my salmon licence and/or tags?

Keep your licence return, record the date of purchase and the vendor’s name and address. If you lose your salmon licence and/or tags replacement licences/tags are available from the vendor (at no cost) where you purchased your original licence. An affidavit form, available from the vendor or the Wildlife Division, must be completed and signed by a Justice of the Peace, Commissioner for Oaths or Notary Public. The completed/signed affidavit must be presented to the vendor in order to be issued a replacement licence.

 

What are the restrictions around fishways and canals?

Angling is not permitted within 23 metres downstream from the lower entrance of any fishway, canal, obstacle or leap (falls). No person shall obstruct the passage of fish through a fishway or canal.

 

Can I retain spent salmon?

Anglers may not retain spent salmon, commonly called “slinks”.

 

Are there any size restrictions?

On scheduled and non-scheduled waters, anglers must return to the water from which it was taken in a manner which causes the least harm, salmon fry, parr and smolt, or salmon less than 30 centimetres (12 inches), or ouananiche and rainbow trout less than 20 centimetres (8 inches).

Anglers fishing in inland waters in Newfoundland and Labrador are not permitted to catch and retain any salmon where the salmon measures greater than 63 centimetres in length. (Except for Robinson’s River, Fischell’s Brook and Middle Barachois River).