NOTICE TO ANGLERS

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and Labrador Region gives notice that Variation Orders 2025-235, 2025-236, 2025-237, 2025-238, and 2025-239 have been revoked and Variation Orders 2026-006, 2026-007, 2026-008, 2026-009, and 2026-010 come into effect on January 30, 2026.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

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.

DFO reminds the Public that the Newfoundland and Labrador Recreational Groundfish fishery is closed for the 2025 season. 

The Regional Director General, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Newfoundland and Labrador Region gives notice that Variation Orders 2025-086 and 2025-210 have been revoked and Variation Orders 2025-279 and 2025-280 come into effect at 2359 hours on December 31, 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.

DFO advises anglers that the following rivers will re-open to normal angling hours as of one hour before sunrise on September 5, 2025.

Salmon Fishing Area 6
66. Salmon Cove River, Trinity Bay    
67. Trouty River, Trinity Bay    
68. Pope’s Harbour River, Trinity Bay    
69. *Shoal Harbour River, Trinity Bay & tributaries    
70. Deer Harbour River & tributary streams, Trinity Bay

Salmon Fishing Area 9
86. Big Barachois Brook, St. Mary’s Bay

*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 2025-230, 2025-231, 2025-232, 2025-233 and 2025-234 have been revoked and Variation Orders 2025-235, 2025-236, 2025-237, 2025-238 and 2025-239 come into effect at 1800 hours on September 4, 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.

DFO advises anglers that the following rivers will re-open to normal angling hours as of one hour before sunrise on September 3, 2025.

Salmon Fishing Area 6
71 . *Bellevue River, Trinity Bay

Salmon Fishing Area 7
72. Salmon Cove River, Conception Bay
73. *North River, Conception Bay
75. North Arm River, Holyrood

Salmon Fishing Area 9
82. Colinet River, including north and east branches
83. Rocky River and Tributary streams
84. North Harbour River, St. Mary’s Bay
85. Little Salmonier River, St. Mary’s Bay
87. *Branch River, St. Mary’s Bay

Salmon Fishing Area 10
88. Great Barasway River
89. South East River (Placentia) & tributary Streams 
90.*North East Placentia River
91. Come by Chance River
92. Watsons Brook, Placentia Bay
93. North Harbour River, Placentia Bay
94. Black River, Placentia Bay below falls
95.  Piper’s Hole River
96. Nonsuch Brook
97. Cape Rodger River
98. Bay de l’Eau River
99. Red Harbour River, Northeast &Northwest branches & tributary streams
100. West Brook, North West Arm, Mortier Bay, & tributary streams
101. Tide’s Brook, Mortier Bay, including Main Brook, Shearstick Brook &tributary streams
102. Salmonier River, Burin
103. Little St. Lawrence River & tributary streams
104. Lawn River & tributary streams
105. Taylor’s Bay River, Burin Peninsula & tributary streams
106. *Salmonier Lamaline River & tributary streams
107. Piercey’s Brook & tributary streams

Salmon Fishing Area 11
108. *Grand Bank Brook & tributary streams
109. *Garnish River, including Lower Garnish & Upper or Black River & tributary streams
110. Long Harbour River & tributary streams, Fortune Bay

*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 2025-222, 2025-223, 2025-224, 2025-225 and 2025-226 have been revoked and Variation Orders 2025-230, 2025-231, 2025-232, 2025-233 and 2025-234 come into effect at 1800 hours on September 2, 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.

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, 2025.

Fall catch and release Salmon angling is permitted on the Lower Humber River, Gander River, and Lower Exploits Rivers from September 8, 2025, to October 7, 2025. 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 2025-2026

Labrador:

Zones 1, 2, and 14B will close to Salmon angling on September 15, 2025.

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 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.

DFO reminds anglers of the following Trout angling season closures:

- Zone 1 (Insular Newfoundland) closed to Trout angling on September 7, 2025. Brown and Rainbow trout angling in selected areas on the Avalon Peninsula and East Coast areas will continue until October 7, 2025.

- Zones 2 and 4 closed to Trout angling on September 7, 2025.

- Zones 3, 5 and 6 closed to Trout angling on September 15, 2025.

- These closures include the Churchill River Drainage Basin Watershed which closes on September 7, 2025 and the Eagle Plateau Management Zone which closes on September 15, 2025.

For further information visit the Angler's Guide on-line at: Anglers' Guide 2025-2026

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: 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 29, 2025.

Salmon Fishing Area 8
76. Renews River

Salmon Fishing Area 9
77. Biscay Bay River
79. *Northwest Brook Trepassey
80. Peter’s River
81. *Salmonier River, including Back River below falls

*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 2025-217, 2025-218, 2025-219, 2025-220 and 2025-221 have been revoked and Variation Orders 2025-222, 2025-223, 2025-224, 2025-225 and 2025-226 will come into effect at 1800 hours on August 28, 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.

DFO advises anglers that the following rivers will re-open to normal angling hours as of one hour before sunrise on August 27, 2025.

Salmon Fishing Area 4
50. *Gander River  
- Northwest Gander tributary
- Waters above Great Gull Falls on Great Gull River (tributary Northwest Gander)    
- Waters above Big Dead Wolf Falls, including Waters and Caribou Brook (tributary Southwest Gander)

Salmon Fishing Area 13
150. Humber River (Upper) and tributary streams  
152. Goose Arm River

Salmon Fishing Area 14A
154. * Lomond Main River, (East Arm, Bonne Bay) including East Branch

*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 2025-205, 2025-206, 2025-207, 2025-208 and 2025-209 have been revoked and Variation Orders 2025-217, 2025-218, 2025-219, 2025-220 and 2025-221 will come into effect at 1800 hours on August 26, 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.

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.