NOTICE TO ANGLERS

DFO advises anglers of the following closures to all angling until further notice, effective one hour after sunset on July 17, 2025:

Salmon Fishing Area 4
42. Leamington River
50. *Gander River tributaries:
    -All other tributaries of the Main Stem and Southwest Gander
    -Northwest Gander tributary
-Waters above Big Dead Wolf Falls, including Waters and Caribou Brook (tributary Southwest Gander)
-Waters above Great Gull Falls on Great Gull River (tributary Northwest Gander)
54. Windmill Brook

Salmon Fishing Area 5
55. Northwest Brook, Indian Bay
56. Indian Bay River & tributary streams
57. Northwest Brook, Trinity, Bonavista Bay
58. Traverse Brook & tributary streams
59. Middle Brook, including Square Pond Brook & Burnt Pond Brook
60. Gambo River & tributary streams, including Mint Brook, Narrows, Triton Brook, Riverhead Brook & Parsons Brook
61. Northwest Brook, Alexander Bay
62. *Terra Nova River & tributaries, including Maccles Brook
64. Salmon Brook, Port Blandford, & tributary streams
65. Southwest Brook, Port Blandford, & tributary streams

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

DFO advises anglers that due to extremely high water temperatures and/or low water levels, the following rivers in Salmon Fishing Areas 3, 4, 8, 9, 10, 12, 13, and 14A will be restricted to morning angling only, effective one hour after sunset on July 17, 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 3
17. Western Brook, Hare Bay
18. Ariege or Salmon River including Southwest Brook and Rose’s Brook, Hare Bay
21. Western Brook or Beaver Brook, Canada Bay
26. Coney Arm River
27. *Sops Arm River, including Main Doucer’s, Natlin’s, Corner Brook, and all tributary streams
28. Hampden River
29. Wild Cove Brook, White Bay
30. Western Arm Brook, White Bay
31. Middle Arm Brook, White Bay
33. Baie Verte River and tributaries
34. Woodstock River

Salmon Fishing Area 4
35. *Burlington River
36. Indian River, Hall’s Bay, including Burnt Berry Brook below falls, Davis Brook and Black Brook
37. West River, Hall’s Bay, including Rowsell’s Brook & Barney’s Brook
38. South Brook, Hall’s Bay & tributary streams
39. Tommy’s Arm River and tributary streams
40. Northwest Arm Brook
41. Western Arm River
43. Charles Brook, Bay of Exploits
44. Northern Arm River, Bay of Exploits
45. Peter’s River, Bay of Exploits
46. Exploits River & tributary streams
    -All Exploits watershed above Red Indian Lake dam
    -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

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
82. Colinet River including north and east branches
83. Rocky River & tributary streams
84. North Harbour River, St. Mary’s Bay
85. Little Salmonier River, St. Mary’s Bay
86. Big Barachois Brook, St. Mary’s Bay
87. *Branch River, St. Mary’s Bay

Salmon Fishing Area 10
88. Great Barasway
89. South East River (Placentia) & tributary streams
90. *Northeast River, Placentia
91. Come By Chance River
92. Watson’s Brook, Placentia Bay
93. North Harbour River, Placentia Bay
94. Black River, Placentia Bay below falls
95. Piper’s Hole River

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

Salmon Fishing Area 14A
162. Torrent River & tributary streams
163. *East River, Hawke’s Bay
164. Castor River, including Southwest Feeder
165. *St. Genevieve River, Ten Mile Lake, Round Lake and all their tributaries flowing into 10 Mile Lake and Round Lake
168. Big Brook, St. Barbe
169. Watson’s Brook, St. Barbe
170. Pincent’s Brook, Pistolet Bay
172. Bartlett’s Brook and tributary streams, Pistolet Bay
173. Upper Brook, Milan Arm, Pistolet Bay
174. East River, Pistolet 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 2025-131, 2025-132, 2025-133, 2025-134 and 2025-135 have been revoked and Variation Orders 2025-137, 2025-138, 2025-139, 2025-140 and 2025-141 will come into effect at 1800 hours on July 17, 2025.

"Notices to Anglers" are available online under the Fishery Notices link on the DFO NL Region webpage at Newfoundland and Labrador Region.

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

DFO advises anglers that due to extremely high water temperatures and/or low water levels, the following rivers in Salmon Fishing Areas (SFA) 4, 5, 6, and 13 will be restricted to morning angling only, effective one hour after sunset on July 15, 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 4
54. Windmill Brook

Salmon Fishing Area 5
55. Northwest Brook, Indian Bay
56. Indian Bay River & tributary streams
57. Northwest Brook, Trinity, Bonavista Bay
58. Traverse Brook & tributary streams
59. Middle Brook, including Square Pond Brook & Burnt Pond Brook
60. Gambo River & tributary streams, including Mint Brook, Narrows, Triton Brook, Riverhead Brook & Parsons Brook
61. Northwest Brook, Alexander Bay
62. *Terra Nova River & tributaries, including Maccles Brook
64. Salmon Brook, Port Blandford, & tributary streams
65. Southwest Brook, Port Blandford, & tributary streams

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 13
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

*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 2025-120, 2025-121, 2025-122, 2025-123 and 2025-124 have been revoked and Variation Orders 2025-131, 2025-132, 2025-133, 2025-134 and 2025-135 will come into effect at 1800 hours on July 15, 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 due to extremely high water temperatures and/or low water levels, the following rivers in Salmon Fishing Areas (SFA) 4, 13, and 14A will be restricted to morning angling only, effective one hour after sunset on July 10, 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 4
48.  *Campbellton River & tributaries, including Neyles Brook & Indian Arm River & tributary streams
49.  Dog Bay Rivers, including Southwest Brook & all tributary streams
50.  *Gander River - All tributaries of the Main Stem (excluding Southwest Gander)
51.  *Ragged Harbour River & tributary streams
52.  Anchor Brook
53.  *Deadman’s Bay River & tributary streams

Salmon Fishing Area 13
150.  Upper Humber River & tributary streams (including Adies Lake)
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 2025-110, 2025-111, 2025-112, 2025-113 and 2025-114 have been revoked and Variation Orders 2025-120, 2025-121, 2025-122, 2025-123 and 2025-124 will come into effect at 1800 hours on July 10, 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 due to extremely high water temperatures and/or low water levels, the following river in Salmon Fishing Area (SFA) 13 will be restricted to morning angling only, effective one hour after sunset on July 8, 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 13

150. Upper Humber River & tributary streams (not including Adies Lake)

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 2025-067, 2025-068, 2025-069, 2025-070, and 2025-071 have been revoked and Variation Orders 2025-110, 2025-111, 2025-112, 2025-113 and 2025-114 will come into effect at 1800 hours on July 8, 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 that in 2025, the recreational groundfish fishery will be open for a total of 39 days, and there is no requirement for a licence or tags for the general public. To inform future management decisions the Department will launch consultations this fall on the recreational groundfish fishery and the varying health of the province’s three cod stocks.

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, June 28, 2025 to Monday, June 30, 2025
Saturday, July 05, 2025 to Monday, July 07, 2025
Saturday, July 12, 2025 to Monday, July 14, 2025
Saturday, July 19, 2025 to Monday, July 21, 2025
Saturday, July 26, 2025 to Monday, July 28, 2025
Saturday, August 02, 2025 to Monday, August 04, 2025
Saturday, August 09, 2025 to Monday, August 11, 2025
Saturday, August 16, 2025 to Monday, August 18, 2025
Saturday, August 23, 2025 to Monday, August 25, 2025
Saturday, August 30, 2025 to Monday, September 01, 2025

Fall Season:
Saturday, September 20, 2025 to Sunday, September 28, 2025

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.

For 2025, a new voluntary pilot program is available for Transport Canada certified tour boat operators introducing a tagging system that will allow retention of two fish per passenger per day, seven days a week. This licence includes mandatory harvest reporting requirements. To apply for this licence, please contact DFO.ExperimentalLicensing-Experimental.MPO@dfo-mpo.gc.ca    

Provisions will continue that allow a person with a disability to designate a person to catch their daily limit of groundfish. The disability designation form and details on all applicable Management Measures will be available online.

DFO Science conducts ongoing tagging programs for various groundfish species to support research on fish movement, growth, and natural mortality. If you capture a tagged groundfish, please return the tag to claim your monetary reward by mailing it to DFO’s Science Branch.

Further details on the management measure 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 Regional Director General, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Newfoundland and Labrador Region gives notice that Variation Orders 2024-314 and 2024-315 have been revoked and Variation Orders 2025-086 and 2025-087 come into effect on June 19, 2025.

"Notice 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 all Notices to Anglers sent to you directly by email, please contact: miranda.pryor@dfo-mpo.gc.ca.
 

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

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 2025-055, 2025-056, 2025-057, 2025-058, and 2025-059 have been revoked and Variation Orders 2025-067, 2025-068, 2025-069, 2025-070, and 2025-071 come into effect on May 31, 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

DFO advises anglers that the season dates for the 2025 Atlantic Salmon recreational fishery are:

Insular Newfoundland - June 1 to September 7, 2025

Labrador - June 15 to September 15, 2025

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 is available in booklet form or on-line at:  Anglers' Guide 2025-2026

Check out our short video on best practices for catch and release angling: Best practices for catch and release of Atlantic salmon

The Regional Director General, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Newfoundland and Labrador Region gives notice that Variation Orders 2024-140, 2024-255, 2024-257, 2024-259, 2024-263 and 2024-264 have been revoked and Variation Orders 2025-055, 2025-056, 2025-057, 2025-058, 2025-059 and 2025-060 will come into force on May 24, 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.

DFO advises that the 2025 summer Trout season for Zone 1 (insular Newfoundland) opens on May 15, 2025, and will remain open until September 7, 2025.

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.

Details on the regulations pertaining to bag limits, river classification, closed areas, and special management areas are contained in the 2025 - 2026 Angler’s Guide which is available online at Anglers' Guide 2025-2026.

"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 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.