NOTICE TO ANGLERS

DFO reminds anglers that the winter trout angling season for Zone 1 (Insular Newfoundland) closes on April 15, 2025. Angling for trout in tidal waters is still permitted outside DFO caution signs. However, the daily bag limit applies.

“Notices to Anglers” 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 Anglers” for recreational fisheries sent directly to you by email please contact: miranda.pryor@dfo-mpo.gc.ca 

DFO wishes to advise anglers of the management approach for the 2025 Atlantic Salmon recreational fishery.

Season Dates:

Insular Newfoundland - June 1 to September 7

Labrador - June 15 to September 15

Management Measures:

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 maximum of two fish per day.

The retention of salmon on non-scheduled waters is not permitted.

The continuation of a multi-faceted Environmental Protocol.  Details will be outlined in the 2025-2026 Angler’s Guide.

For additional information, refer to the Fisheries Management Decision online at:  Decisions for Atlantic Canada, Quebec and the Arctic - 2025 

Details on the regulations pertaining to retention limits, river classification, closed areas and special management areas are contained in the 2025-2026 Angler's Guide which will be available in booklet form or on-line at 2024-25 Angler's Guide in 2025.

DFO reminds anglers that the 2025 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 2024/25 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 to 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, 2025 (refer to the 2024-25 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 2024-25 Angler's Guide, which is available online at 2024-25 Angler's Guide

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

"Notices to Anglers" 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 Anglers" for recreational fisheries sent directly to you by email please contact: miranda.pryor@dfo-mpo.gc.ca

DFO reminds the Public that the Newfoundland and Labrador Recreational Groundfish fishery is closed for the 2024 season.

The Regional Director General, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Newfoundland and Labrador Region gives notice that Variation Orders 2024-089 and 2024-090 have been revoked and Variation Orders 2024-314 and 2024-315 come into effect at 2359 hours on December 31, 2024. 

"Notices to Anglers" 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 Anglers" for recreational fisheries sent directly to you by email please contact: miranda.pryor@dfo-mpo.gc.ca
 

DFO advises anglers that Shoal Harbour River (coastal waters to a point 25 metres below the dam) will re-open to normal angling hours for Rainbow and Brown Trout angling as of one hour before sunrise on September 12, 2024.

The Regional Director General, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Newfoundland and Labrador Region gives notice that Variation Orders 2024-256 and 2024-258 have been revoked and Variation Orders 2024-263 and 2024-264 come into effect on September 12, 2024.

"Notices to Anglers" 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 Anglers" for recreational fisheries sent directly to you by email please contact: miranda.pryor@dfo-mpo.gc.ca

DFO advises anglers that the following river will re-open to normal angling hours as of one hour before sunrise on September 5, 2024.

Salmon Fishing Area 7

75. North Arm River, Holyrood

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 2024-250, 2024-251, 2024-252, 2024-253 and 2024-254 have been revoked and Variation Orders 2024-255, 2024-256, 2024-257, 2024-258 and 2024-259 come into effect on September 5, 2024.

"Notices to Anglers" 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 Anglers" for recreational fisheries sent directly to you 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 September 4, 2024.

Salmon Fishing Area 10

91. Come By Chance River
93. North Harbour River, Placentia Bay
94. Black River, Placentia Bay below falls
95. Piper’s Hole River

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 2024-243, 2024-244, 2024-245, 2024-246 and 2024-247 have been revoked and Variation Orders 2024-250, 2024-251, 2024-252, 2024-253 and 2024-254 come into effect on September 4, 2024.

"Notices to Anglers" 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 Anglers" for recreational fisheries sent directly to you 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 31, 2024.

Salmon Fishing Area 6

71. *Bellevue River, Trinity Bay

Salmon Fishing Area 7

72. Salmon Cove River, Conception Bay

73. *North River, Conception Bay

Salmon Fishing Area 10

89. South East River (Placentia) &tributary streams

90. *Northeast River, Placentia

Salmon Fishing Area 12

125. Grandy’s River, including Top Pond Brook

Salmon Fishing Area 13

135. Bear Cove River, including Billy’s Pond Brook

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

147. Fox Island River & tributary streams

148. Serpentine River & tributary streams

*indicates river has closed sections (reference Anglers’ Guide 2024-25)

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 2024-237, 2024-238, 2024-239, 2024-240 and 2024-241 have been revoked and Variation Orders 2024-243, 2024-244, 2024-245, 2024-246 and 2024-247 come into effect on August 31, 2024.

"Notices to Anglers" 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 Anglers" for recreational fisheries sent directly to you by email please contact: miranda.pryor@dfo-mpo.gc.ca

DFO reminds anglers of the following Salmon angling season closures:

Insular Newfoundland:

Zones 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13 and 14A will close to Salmon angling on September 7, 2024.

Fall catch and release Salmon angling is permitted on the Lower Humber River, Gander River, and Lower Exploits Rivers from September 8, 2024, to October 7, 2024. Retention of Salmon is not permitted. Catch-and-Release angling as follows:

- main stem of Lower Exploits River, from Stoney Brook to river mouth;

- main stem of Lower Humber River, from Boom Siding (outlet of Deer Lake) to lower end of Shellbird Island;

- main stem of Gander River from outlet on Gander Lake to river mouth.

- Angling not permitted on any tributaries of these rivers;

- Daily catch-and-release bag limit of three Salmon;

Please refer to the Angler's Guide for more detailed information: Anglers' Guide 2024-2025

Labrador:

Zones 1, 2, and 14B will close to Salmon angling on September 15, 2024.

Anglers are reminded to complete their Salmon Angling Log. Angling log data is an important tool in the stock assessment process. If you purchased a license and did not fish, it is important to let us know. If you did fish please record your daily angling activity as accurately as possible. Check the appropriate box and submit your form.

The Salmon Angling Log can be found online at Salmon Angling Return Form

Play a part in conserving the resource. Submit your form today.

"Notices to Anglers" 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 Anglers" for recreational fisheries sent directly to you by email please contact: miranda.pryor@dfo-mpo.gc.ca

DFO reminds anglers of the following Trout angling season closures:

- Zone 1 (Insular Newfoundland) closed to Trout angling on September 7, 2024. Brown and Rainbow trout angling in selected areas on the Avalon Peninsula and East Coast areas will continue until October 7, 2024.

- Zones 2 and 4 closed to Trout angling on September 7, 2024.

- Zones 3, 5 and 6 closed to Trout angling on September 15, 2024.

- These closures include the Churchill River Drainage Basin Watershed which closes on September 7, 2024 and the Eagle Plateau Management Zone which closes on September 15, 2024.

For further information visit the Angler's Guide on-line at: Anglers' Guide 2024-2025

"Notices to Anglers" 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 Anglers" for recreational fisheries sent directly to you by email please contact: miranda.pryor@dfo-mpo.gc.ca