Entries

DFO reminds harvesters that all capelin fisheries in the Newfoundland and Labrador Region are closed.

The Regional Director General, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Newfoundland and Labrador Region gives notice that Variation Orders 2025-143 and 2025-147 have been revoked and Variation Orders 2025-211 and 2025-212 come into effect at 2200 hours on August 22, 2025.

"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: miranda.pryor@dfo-mpo.gc.ca 

DFO reminds harvesters that all capelin fisheries in the Newfoundland and Labrador Region are closed.

The Regional Director General, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Newfoundland and Labrador Region gives notice that Variation Orders 2025-143 and 2025-147 have been revoked and Variation Orders 2025-211 and 2025-212 come into effect at 2200 hours on August 22, 2025.

"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: miranda.pryor@dfo-mpo.gc.ca 

With wildfires significantly limiting many people’s ability to take part in the Recreational Groundfish Fishery and expected challenging sea conditions in the coming days, DFO advises that the 2025 recreational groundfish fishery season will be extended to include two additional weekends in September: 

Saturday, September 06, 2025 to Monday, September 08, 2025 
Saturday, September 13, 2025 to Monday, September 15, 2025 

All other rules and regulations for the fishery remain the same. 

Details on the management measures for the 2025 Newfoundland and Labrador recreational groundfish fishery can be found online at the following website: : Decisions for Atlantic Canada, Quebec and the Arctic - 2025

The public is encouraged to follow safe boating practices and be aware of the local weather and sea conditions before leaving port. The Transport Canada Safe Boating Guide offers valuable tips on how to safely load your boat - - https://tc.canada.ca/sites/default/files/2024-03/tp_511e.pdf

The Department will launch a public consultation process this fall on the recreational groundfish fishery. 

The Regional Director General, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Newfoundland and Labrador Region gives notice that Variation Order 2025-087 has been revoked and Variation Order 2025-210 comes into effect on August 22, 2025.

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

If you would like all public notices sent to you directly by email, please contact: miranda.pryor@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 22, 2025.

Salmon Fishing Area 4
46.  Exploits River & tributary streams
•    Main stem of mid-Exploits from Grand Falls fishway to Red Indian Lake dam
•    Main stem, from Stoney Brook to Exploits Bay
•    Tributaries below Grand Falls fishway
•    Tributaries of mid-Exploits from Grand Falls fishway to Red Indian Lake dam
50.  *Gander River & tributary streams
•    Main Stem below Gander Lake

Salmon Fishing Area 12
125.  Grandy's River, including Top Pond Brook

Salmon Fishing Area 13
136.  Little Codroy River, including Cooper's Brook, Southern Brook & Western Brook
137.  *Great Codroy River, including Broom Brook, Ryan's Brook & Mullchingnic Brook; the North Branch of Great Codroy, including Upper Brook, Lower Brook & Crooked Brook; the South Branch of Great Codroy, including Bullhouse Brook
138.  *Highlands River & tributary streams
139.  *Crabbe's River & tributary streams
140.  *(Middle) Barachois River & tributary streams
141.  *Robinson's River & tributary streams
142.  Fischell's Brook & tributary streams
143.  Flat Bay Brook & tributary streams
144.  *Little Barachois Brook & tributary streams
145.  *Southwest and Bottom Brooks & tributary streams
146.  *Harry's River, including Spruce Brook, Little George's, Meadows Brook, Pinch Gut River, Stag Hill Brook & Gull Pond Brook
151.  Hughes Brook

*indicates river has closed sections (reference Anglers’ Guide 2025-26)

For more information please visit the In Season River Status website at In-Season River Status
The Regional Director General, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Newfoundland and Labrador Region gives notice that Variation Orders 2025-197, 2025-198, 2025-199, 2025-200 and 2025-201 have been revoked and Variation Orders 2025-205, 2025-206, 2025-207, 2025-208 and 2025-209 will come into effect at 1800 hours on August 21, 2025.

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: miranda.pryor@dfo-mpo.gc.ca.

With wildfires significantly limiting many people’s ability to take part in the Recreational Groundfish Fishery and expected challenging sea conditions in the coming days, DFO advises that the 2025 recreational groundfish fishery season will be extended to include two additional weekends in September: 

Saturday, September 06, 2025 to Monday, September 08, 2025 
Saturday, September 13, 2025 to Monday, September 15, 2025 

All other rules and regulations for the fishery remain the same. 

Details on the management measures for the 2025 Newfoundland and Labrador recreational groundfish fishery can be found online at the following website: Decisions for Atlantic Canada, Quebec and the Arctic - 2025

The public is encouraged to follow safe boating practices and be aware of the local weather and sea conditions before leaving port. The Transport Canada Safe Boating Guide offers valuable tips on how to safely load your boat - https://tc.canada.ca/sites/default/files/2024-03/tp_511e.pdf

The Department will launch a public consultation process this fall on the recreational groundfish fishery. 

The Regional Director General, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Newfoundland and Labrador Region gives notice that Variation Order 2025-087 has been revoked and Variation Order 2025-210 comes into effect on August 22, 2025.

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: miranda.pryor@dfo-mpo.gc.ca.

Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) will release the second 220 tonne portion of the mackerel bait quota at 0500 hours on Monday, September 8, 2025 across all Mackerel Fishing Areas. Please be advised the Atlantic mackerel bait fishery is a competitive fishery and is intended for personal-use only.

Harvesters participating in this personal use bait fishery are reminded:

• they will be restricted to a daily limit of 454 kg (1,000 lbs) to be fished by either gillnet or handline,
• a mandatory hail-in will be required for all harvesters participating in the personal use mackerel bait fishery,
• an accurate catch estimate must be provided prior to offloading your catch and harvesters must hail a trip summary to the Fish Harvesters’ Resource Centre at 1-877-884-7359 / 1-888-562-4511,
• harvesters will be alerted of closures through a Notice to Fish Harvesters,
• bait licences will be available through the National Online Licensing System.

The Regional Director General, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Newfoundland and Labrador Region, gives notice that Variation Order 2025-104 has been revoked and Variation Order 2025-204 comes into effect on August 22, 2025.

"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: miranda.pryor@dfo-mpo.gc.ca 

DFO advises that the Atlantic Halibut hook and line (long line) fishery in NAFO Divisions 4RST, for fixed gear vessels less than 65 feet based in Western NL and Southern Labrador that elected to fish in Period 3, will open at 0600 hours on Monday, August 25, 2025. This fishery is open to Vessel class A289 and will close at 2000 hours on September 14, 2025.

The Regional Director General, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Newfoundland and Labrador Region gives notice that Variation Order 2025-167 has been revoked and Variation Order 2025-202 comes into effect on August 21, 2025.

"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: miranda.pryor@dfo-mpo.gc.ca 

DFO reminds 2J-based fixed-gear harvesters fishing in the Northern cod fishery (Vessel Class A292) that catch limits and gear limits will change on Sunday, August 24, 2025 as per the 2025-26 Conservation Harvesting Plan for this fishery.

The authorized catch limit will change to a bi-weekly base limit of 50,000 lbs. and the authorized gear limits will also change. Further details on gear and catch limits can be found in the 2025-26 CHP:  :  2025 Conservation Harvesting Plan (CHP) 2J3KL Northern Cod Fishery Inshore Fixed-Gear Fleet

New licence conditions are required and will be available soon on the National Online Licensing System (NOLS).

Harvesters are reminded that they are to ensure that catch limits are not exceeded by setting only the amount of fishing gear that is necessary.

"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: miranda.pryor@dfo-mpo.gc.ca 

DFO advises that the fixed gear Greenland Halibut (Turbot) Fishery in NAFO Divisions 2+3K will close for all vessels less than 65 ft on August 26, 2025 at 2000 hours.

DFO reminds harvesters that all gear must be removed from the water by closing time.

The Regional Director General, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Newfoundland and Labrador Regions gives notice that Variation Order 2025-191 has been revoked and Variation Order 2025-203 comes into effect on August 21, 2025.

"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: miranda.pryor@dfo-mpo.gc.ca 

DFO advises anglers of the following closures to all angling until further notice, effective one hour after sunset on August 14, 2025:

Salmon Fishing Area 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
114. Old Bay Brook, Bay de l’Eau    
115. Taylor’s Bay Brook, Bay de l’Eau
117. Long Reach Brook, East Bay    
118. Allen’s Cove Brook, Facheau Bay
119. Bottom Brook, Facheau Bay
120. Hare Bay Rivers, Southwest Coast

DFO advises anglers that due to extremely high water temperatures and/or low water levels, the following rivers in Salmon Fishing Areas (SFA) 12 and 13 will be restricted to morning angling only, effective one hour after sunset on August 14, 2025.

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.

The rivers will reopen as conditions improve. Please refer to the 2025 Angler's Guide for further information on the environmental protocol.

Salmon Fishing Area 12
125. Grandy’s River, including Top Pond Brook

Salmon Fishing Area 13
144. *Little Barachois Brook & tributary streams    
145. *Southwest and Bottom Brooks & tributary streams
146. *Harry’s River, including Spruce Brook, Little George’s, Meadows Brook, Pinch Gut River, Stag Hill Brook & Gull Pond Brook
151.  Hughes Brook

*indicates river has closed sections (reference Anglers’ Guide 2025-26)

For more information please visit the In Season River Status website at In-Season River Status

The Regional Director General, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Newfoundland and Labrador Region gives notice that Variation Orders 2025-192, 2025-193, 2025-194, 2025-195 and 2025-196 have been revoked and Variation Orders 2025-197, 2025-198, 2025-199, 2025-200 and 2025-201 will come into effect at 1800 hours on August 14, 2025.

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: miranda.pryor@dfo-mpo.gc.ca.