ANGLING

The Department of Fisheries and Oceans advises anglers that there is a new DFO Angling Line with information on in-season Salmon river closures in Newfoundland and Labrador.  For up-to-date information on scheduled Salmon rivers closed due to environmental conditions, call (709)772-2045.  

For general inquiries, anglers can continue to call 1(800)782-3058. 

In-season river closures can also be located online at  In-Season River Status

DFO advises that in 2022, the recreational groundfish fishery will be open for a total of 39 days. 

For the 2022 season, there is no requirement for licences or tags.

Species and Area:

The recreational groundfish fishery will occur in all NAFO areas/subareas around Newfoundland and Labrador, which includes 2GH, 2J3KL, 3Ps, 3Pn and 4R. Three exceptions are the Eastport, Gilbert Bay and Laurentian Channel Marine Protected Areas (MPA) where recreational groundfish fishing will not be permitted.

Season Dates:

Summer Season:

Saturday, July 02, 2022 to Monday, July 04, 2022

Saturday, July 09, 2022 to Monday, July 11, 2022

Saturday, July 16, 2022 to Monday, July 18, 2022

Saturday, July 23, 2022 to Monday, July 25, 2022

Saturday, July 30, 2022 to Monday, August 01, 2022

Saturday, August 06, 2022 to Monday, August 08, 2022

Saturday, August 13, 2022 to Monday, August 15, 2022

Saturday, August 20, 2022 to Monday, August 22, 2022

Saturday, August 27, 2022 to Monday, August 29, 2022

Saturday, September 03, 2022 to Monday, September 05, 2022

Fall Season:

Saturday, September 24, 2022 to Sunday, October 02, 2022

Recreational fishers are limited to five (5) groundfish per day (including Cod). However, the maximum boat limit when three or more people are fishing is 15 groundfish.

Provisions will continue that allow a person with a disability to designate a person to catch their daily limit of groundfish will continue. Applicants can access the designation for persons with a disability form here: Fisheries management decisions

First time applicants are required to download, complete and have their doctor/ophthalmologist complete a section of the form. However, individuals who are looking to renew can complete the form electronically by saving it and sending via email or clicking submit at the bottom of the form during which time an email will be generated for the applicant. Applicants are encouraged to submit their application electronically, via email. Applications received via regular mail may result in delays to processing your application.

For 2022, tour boat operators will be eligible to apply for a licence to seek an increased trip limit. This licence will have harvest reporting requirements.

Further details on all applicable Management Measures can be found at 2022 Newfoundland and Labrador recreational Groundfish fishery

For safety reasons, fishing is only permitted from one hour before sunrise until one hour after sunset. The public is reminded to follow safe boating practices and be aware of local weather and sea conditions before leaving port.

Participants in the recreational groundfish fishery are further reminded to inspect their catch carefully for pink or yellow tags, located on the back of the fish. The tags are uniquely numbered and have a DFO address and reward value ($10 or $100) printed on them. Participants should return the tag along with the location and date of capture, and include their mailing address, to claim the tag reward. 

The Regional Director General, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Newfoundland and Labrador Region gives notice that Variation Orders 2021-299 and 2021-300 have been revoked and Variation Orders 2022-080 and 2022-081 come into effect on June 21, 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 wishes to remind anglers that the 2022 season for the Atlantic Salmon recreational fishery is:

Insular Newfoundland - June 1 to September 7, 2022

Labrador - June 15 to September 15, 2022

Details on the regulations pertaining to bag limits, river classification, closed areas, and special management areas are contained in the 2022 - 2023 Angler's Guide which is available online at Anglers' Guide 2023-2024

With the salmon season approaching, we encourage you to check out our short video on best practices for catch and release angling: Best practices for catch and release of Atlantic salmon

If you would like to have all Notices to Anglers sent directly to you by email please contact: Karen.Keats-Brett@dfo-mpo.gc.ca

DFO reminds anglers that 2022 is the second year of a the two year management approach for the Atlantic Salmon recreational fishery.  

Management measures include: 

- Season Dates: Insular Newfoundland - June 1 to September 7 & Labrador - June 15 to September 15

- 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 limit 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 - 2021

Details on bag limits, river classification, closed areas and special management areas are outlined in the 2022 - 2023 Angler's Guide which is available in booklet form and on-line at Anglers' Guide 2023-2024

The Regional Director General, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Newfoundland and Labrador Region gives notice that Variation Order 2021-260 has been revoked and Variation Order 2022-054 comes into effect on May 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

DFO advises that the 2022 summer trout season for Zone 1 (insular Newfoundland) opens on May 15, 2022, and will remain open until September 7, 2022.

Special trout management areas opening on June 1 include Southwest Pond, Otter Pond, Coaker's Steady, Adies Lake, 10 Mile Lake (Northern Peninsula) and Round Lake (Northern Peninsula).

Bag limits and possession limits for insular Newfoundland remain the same: daily bag limit for trout (includes speckled trout, brown trout, rainbow trout and ouananiche) is 12 trout or 2.25 kg + 1 trout, round weight (which can be a combination of any of the species - speckled, brown, rainbow, ouananiche); possession limit is twice the daily bag limit.

The 2022-23 Angler's Guide is available online at: Anglers' Guide 2023-2024

The Regional Director General, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Newfoundland and Labrador Region gives notice that Variation Orders 2021-255, 2021-256, 2021-258, and 2021-264 have been revoked and Variation Orders 2022-050, 2022-051, 2022-052, and 2022-053 come into effect on May 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

DFO reminds anglers that the winter trout angling season for Zone 1 (Insular Newfoundland) closes on April 15, 2022. Angling for trout in tidal waters is still permitted outside DFO caution signs. However, the daily bag limit applies.

If you would like to have all "Notices to Anglers" for recreational fisheries sent directly to you by email please contact: beverly.piccott@dfo-mpo.gc.ca

DFO advises anglers that the winter trout angling season for Zone 1 (Insular Newfoundland) closes on April 15, 2022. Angling for trout in tidal waters is still permitted. However, the daily bag limit applies.

If you would like to have all "Notices to Anglers" for recreational fisheries sent directly to you by email please contact: beverly.piccott@dfo-mpo.gc.ca

DFO reminds anglers that the 2022 Trout and Smelt winter angling seasons in non-scheduled waters throughout Newfoundland and Labrador are 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 2021/22 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, 2022 (refer to the 2020/21 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 2021/22 Angler's Guide, which is available online at Anglers' Guide 2021-2022

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

DFO wishes to remind anglers of the importance of completing and returning their salmon fishing log for the 2021 season.  

For your convenience you can either mail in your completed log as you did in previous years or you can submit it electronically at Anglers' Guide 2023-2024 - Annexes - Annex 10 - Salmon Angling Log by filling out the Salmon Angling Return Form. For further information you can email michelle.fitzsimmons@dfo-mpo.gc.ca

The angler logbook information is an important tool in the salmon assessment process, and your support is vital. If you did not fish, it is important that you return your log indicating this in the box provided. If you fished and had no catch please record your daily angling activity.