Entries

As announced in Notice to Fishers nf.26.006, electronic Logbooks (ELOGs) will continue to be mandatory for Newfoundland and Labrador commercial lobster harvesters, the fulltime and mid-shore snow crab fleets, and Unit 1 redfish harvesters.   

DFO will hold virtual ELOG education sessions for harvesters in the above noted fisheries/fleets to review ELOG requirements and best practices, address common errors encountered during the 2025 season, and provide an opportunity for questions.  

Sessions will be held by NAFO area on the following dates:   

2J3K: Wednesday, February 11 at 10:00 am NST   
3L: Wednesday, February 11 at 2:00 pm NST
4R3P: Thursday, February 12 at 10:00 am NST 

Harvesters are requested to confirm their attendance by emailing Kailey.Noonan@dfo-mpo.gc.ca. Please include your fishery/fleet and specify the date and time of the session you wish to attend. Upon confirmation, a link to the virtual meeting will be provided.

"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: NLPRI@dfo-mpo.gc.ca.

As announced in Notice to Fisher nf.26.006, electronic logbooks (ELOGs) will continue to be mandatory for Newfoundland and Labrador commercial lobster harvesters, the fulltime and mid-shore snow crab fleets, and Unit 1 Redfish harvesters.

DFO will hold virtual ELOG education sessions for harvesters in the above noted fisheries/fleets to review ELOG requirements and best practices, address common errors encountered during the 2025 season, and provide an opportunity for questions.

Sessions will be held by NAFO area on the following dates:

2J3K: Wednesday, February 11 at 10:00 am
3L: Wednesday, February 11 at 2:00 pm
4R3P: Thursday, February 12 at 10:00 am

Harvesters are requested to confirm their attendance by emailing kailey.noonan@dfo-mpo.gc.ca. Please include your fishery/fleet and specify the data and time of the session you wish to attend. Upon confirmation, a link to the virtual session will be provided.

"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: NLPRI@dfo-mpo.gc.ca.

DFO wishes to advise Crab Harvesters that Area Selection applications are available for Crab Fishing Area 11E (Inner or Outer/Bob’s Rock areas). Harvesters can request an application through the National Online Licensing System (NOLS).

Please note: Area Selection Applications only need to be completed if you are looking to move areas.

If you do not fill out the form you will remain in the area you were licensed for in 2025.

Please upload completed application to the National Online Licensing System (NOLS) by the deadline date.

COMPLETED APPLICATIONS MUST BE UPLOADED TO THE NATIONAL ONLINE LICENCING SYSTEM AND RECEIVED BY CLOSE OF BUSINESS DAY FEBRUARY 20, 2026.

Submission of the application does not indicate approval. The final decision will be communicated through the National Online Licensing System (NOLS) via appropriate documentation.

"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: NLPRI@dfo-mpo.gc.ca.

DFO wishes to advise Crab Harvesters that Area Selection applications are available for Crab Fishing Area 10A. Harvesters can request an application through the National Online Licensing System (NOLS).

Please note: Area Selection Applications only need to be completed if you are looking to move areas.

If you do not fill out the form you will remain in the area you were licensed for in 2025.

Please upload completed application to the National Online Licensing System (NOLS) by the deadline date.

NOTE: COMPLETED APPLICATIONS MUST BE UPLOADED TO THE NATIONAL ONLINE LICENCING SYSTEM AND RECEIVED BY CLOSE OF BUSINESS DAY FEBRUARY 20, 2026.

Submission of the application does not indicate approval. The final decision will be communicated through the National Online Licensing System (NOLS) via appropriate documentation.

"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: NLPRI@dfo-mpo.gc.ca.

The Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) wishes to advise that an in-person Outreach Meeting will be held as follows.

NAFO Division 4R
Wednesday - February 11, 2026, 2:00 pm - 4:00 pm
Northern Lights Inn - L’anse au Clair

These meetings are intended to provide inshore harvesters and other interested stakeholders an opportunity to engage in open dialogue regarding matters of concern related to the inshore fisheries.

For further information, please contact your local DFO office.

"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: NLPRI@dfo-mpo.gc.ca.

DFO wishes to advise Crab Harvesters that Area Selection Applications are available for the following inshore Crab Fishing Areas 5A, 6A, and 6B. Harvesters can obtain an application by contacting the area licencing center or detachment office by phone or e-mail.

Applications can also be requested from the National Online Licencing System (NOLS).

Please note: Area Selection Applications only need to be completed if you are looking to move areas.

If you do not fill out the form you will remain in the area you were licensed for in 2025.

Applications must be received by close of business day on February 20, 2026.

Applications can be returned by email to: kelly.firmage-obrien@dfo-mpo.gc.ca

"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: NLPRI@dfo-mpo.gc.ca.

DFO wishes to advise anglers that a portion of Northwest Brook, Alexander Bay, noted below, will continue to be closed to all angling.

This precautionary approach is a measure to aid in the conservation of Brook Trout and Atlantic Salmon.

The closed area is that portion of Northwest Brook and Boatswains Brook from the Trans-Canada Highway (TCH) downstream to the Bait & Spinner/Fly Fishing signs at the mouth of the main stem of Northwest Brook, Northwest Arm, Alexander Bay.

The Regional Director General, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Newfoundland and Labrador Region gives notice that Variation Orders 2025-235, 2025-236, 2025-237, 2025-238, and 2025-239 have been revoked and Variation Orders 2026-006, 2026-007, 2026-008, 2026-009, and 2026-010 come into effect on January 30, 2026.

Notices to Anglers are now available online in the Fisheries Notices section of the DFO Newfoundland and Labrador Region webpage at Newfoundland and Labrador Region.

If you would like all Notices to Anglers sent to you directly by email, please contact: NLPRI@dfo-mpo.gc.ca

As announced in Notice to Fishers nf.26.006, beginning in the 2026 season, electronic logbooks (ELOGs) will be mandatory for the following Snow crab fleets in the Newfoundland and Labrador Region:  

- Large supplementary  
- Small supplementary  
- Supplementary   
- 4R Commercial   

DFO will hold virtual onboarding sessions for harvesters in the above noted fleets to provide details on the 2026 mandatory ELOG requirement. Sessions will be held by NAFO area on the following dates:   

- 2J3K: Wednesday, February 4 at 10:00 am  
- 3L: Wednesday, February 4 at 2:00 pm  
- 4R3P: Thursday, February 5 at 10:00 am   

Harvesters are asked to confirm attendance by emailing Kailey.Noonan@dfo-mpo.gc.ca . Please include your fleet/fishery and specify the date and time of the session you wish to attend. Upon confirmation, a link to the virtual meeting will be provided.  

Electronic logbooks will remain voluntary for all inshore snow crab harvesters in 2026, with mandatory use planned for 2027. DFO will hold information sessions for inshore Snow crab harvesters in the fall of 2026 and will share details at a later date.

"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: NLPRI@dfo-mpo.gc.ca.

DFO reminds anglers that the 2026 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 2025-26 Anglers' 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 Anglers' 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, 2026 (refer to the 2025-26 Anglers' 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 2025-26 Anglers' Guide.
 
DFO reminds anglers to take precautions before venturing out on the ice or water this season.

Notices to Anglers are now available online in the Fisheries Notices section of the DFO Newfoundland and Labrador Region webpage at Newfoundland and Labrador Region.

If you would like all Notices to Anglers sent to you directly by email, please contact: NLPRI@dfo-mpo.gc.ca.

As announced in Notice to Fishers nf.26.006, beginning in the 2026 season, electronic logbooks (ELOGs) will be mandatory for the following Snow crab fleets in the Newfoundland and Labrador Region:  

- Large supplementary  
- Small supplementary  
- Supplementary   
- 4R Commercial   

DFO will hold virtual onboarding sessions for harvesters in the above noted fleets to provide details on the 2026 mandatory ELOG requirement. Sessions will be held by NAFO area on the following dates:   

- 2J3K: Wednesday, February 4 at 10:00 am  
- 3L: Wednesday, February 4 at 2:00 pm  
- 4R3P: Thursday, February 5 at 10:00 am   

Harvesters are asked to confirm attendance by emailing  Kailey.Noonan@dfo-mpo.gc.ca . Please include your fleet/fishery and specify the date and time of the session you wish to attend. Upon confirmation, a link to the virtual meeting will be provided.  

Electronic logbooks will remain voluntary for all inshore snow crab harvesters in 2026, with mandatory use planned for 2027. DFO will hold information sessions for inshore Snow crab harvesters in the fall of 2026 and will share details at a later date.

"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: NLPRI@dfo-mpo.gc.ca.