NOTICE TO ANGLERS

DFO reminds anglers that the 2024 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 2023/24 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, 2024 (refer to the 2023/24 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 2023-24 Angler's Guide, which is available online at 2023-24 Angler's Guide

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

DFO wishes to advise anglers of the management approach for the 2024 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 2024-2025 Angler’s Guide.

For additional information, refer to the Fisheries Management Decision online at: Fisheries Management Decisions for Atlantic Canada, Quebec and the Arctic - 2024

Details on the regulations pertaining to retention limits, river classification, closed areas and special management areas are contained in the 2024-2025 Angler's Guide which will be available in booklet form or on-line at Anglers' Guide 2023-2024 in the coming months.

DFO advises anglers that the following rivers will re-open to normal angling hours as of one hour before sunrise on September 2, 2023.

Salmon Fishing Area 2:

13. Hawke River

14. Gilbert River

15. Shinney’s River

178. St. Charles River and tributaries

179. St. Lewis River and tributaries

180. Port Marnham Brook and tributaries

181. Alexis River and tributaries

For more information please visit the In Season River Status website at In-Season River Status or call the Angling Line at 709-772-2045.

The Regional Director General, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Newfoundland and Labrador Region gives notice that Variation Order 2023-191 has been revoked and Variation Order 2023-247 comes into effect at 1800 hours on September 1, 2023.

“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 fisheries sent directly to you by email please contact danielle.nichols@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, 2023. Brown and Rainbow trout angling in selected areas on the Avalon Peninsula and East Coast areas will continue until October 7, 2023.

- Zones 2 and 4 closed to Trout angling on September 7, 2023.

- Zones 3, 5 and 6 closed to Trout angling on September 15, 2023.

- These closures include the Churchill River Drainage Basin Watershed which closes on September 7, 2023 and the Eagle Plateau Management Zone which closes on September 15, 2023.

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

Anglers' Guide 2023-2024

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, 2023.

Fall catch and release Salmon angling is permitted on the Lower Humber River, Gander River, and Lower Exploits Rivers from September 8, 2023, to October 7, 2023. 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 2023-2024

Labrador:

Zones 1, 2, and 14B will close to Salmon angling on September 15, 2023.

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.

DFO advises anglers that the following rivers will re-open to normal angling hours as of one hour before sunrise on August 25, 2023.

Salmon Fishing Area 9
#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

*indicates river has closed sections (reference Anglers’ Guide 2023-24)

For more information please visit the In Season River Status website at In-Season River Status or call the Angling Line at 709-772-2045.

The Regional Director General, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Newfoundland and Labrador Region gives notice that Variation Orders 2023-228, 2023-229, 2023-230, 2023-231, and 2023-232 have been revoked and Variation Orders 2023-236, 2023-237, 2023-238, 2023-239, and 2023-240 come into effect at 1800 hours on August 24, 2023.

“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 fisheries sent directly to you by email please contact danielle.nichols@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 August 23, 2023.

Salmon Fishing Area 7

#73 *North River, Conception Bay  

*indicates river has closed sections (reference Anglers’ Guide 2023-24)

For more information please visit the In Season River Status website at In-Season River Status or call the Angling Line at 709-772-2045.

The Regional Director General, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Newfoundland and Labrador Region gives notice that Variation Orders 2023-216, 2023-217, 2023-218, 2023-219, and 2023-220 have been revoked and Variation Orders 2023-228, 2023-229, 2023-230, 2023-231, and 2023-232 come into effect at 1800 hours on August 22, 2023.

“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 fisheries sent directly to you by email please contact danielle.nichols@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 16, 2023.

Salmon Fishing Area 4

#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 & tributary streams

#49 Dog Bay River, including Southwest Brook and all tributary streams

#50 Gander River tributaries

#51 Ragged Harbour River and tributary streams

#52 Anchor Brook

#53 Deadman’s Bay River and tributary streams

#54 Windmill Brook

Salmon Fishing Area 6

#71 Bellevue River, Trinity Bay

Salmon Fishing Area 7

#72 Salmon Cove River, Conception Bay

#75 North Arm River, Holyrood

Salmon Fishing Area 8

#76 Renews River

For more information please visit the In Season River Status website at In-Season River Status or call the Angling Line at 709-772-2045.

The Regional Director General, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Newfoundland and Labrador Region gives notice that Variation Orders 2023-207, 2023-208, 2023-209, 2023-210, and 2023-211 have been revoked and Variation Orders 2023-216, 2023-217, 2023-218, 2023-219, and 2023-220 come into effect at 1800 hours on August 15, 2023.

“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 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 12, 2023.

SFA 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
64. Salmon Brook, Port Blandford, & tributary streams
65. Southwest Brook, Port Blandford, & tributary streams

SFA 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

*indicates river has closed sections (reference Anglers’ Guide 2023-24)

For more information please visit the In Season River Status website at In-Season River Status or call the Angling Line at 709-772-2045.

The Regional Director General, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Newfoundland and Labrador Region gives notice that Variation Orders 2023-200, 2023-201, 2023-202, 2023-203, and 2023-204 have been revoked and Variation Orders 2023-207, 2023-208, 2023-209, 2023-210, and 2023-211 come into effect at 1800 hours on August 11, 2023.

“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 fisheries sent directly to you by email please contact danielle.nichols@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 11, 2023.

SFA 3
26.  Coney Arm River
27. *Sop’s Arm River, including Main, Doucer’s, Natlin’s, Corner Brook and all tributary streams
28.  Hampden River

SFA 4
40.  Northwest Arm Brook 
41.  Western Arm River 
42.  Leamington River 
43.  Charles Brook, Bay of Exploits 
44.  Northern Arm River, Bay of Exploits 
45.  Peter's River, Bay of Exploits
48. *Campbellton River and tributaries, including Neyles Brook and Indian Arm River and tributary streams  

SFA 9
87.  *Branch River, St. Mary's Bay 

SFA 10
88.  Great Barasway 
89.   South East River (Placentia) & tributary streams 
90.  *Northeast River, Placentia 

SFA 13
144. *Little Barachois Brook and tributary streams 

*indicates river has closed sections (reference Anglers’ Guide 2023-24)

For more information please visit the In Season River Status website at In-Season River Status or call the Angling Line at 709-772-2045.

The Regional Director General, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Newfoundland and Labrador Region gives notice that Variation Orders 2023-195, 2023-196, 2023-197, 2023-198, and 2023-199 have been revoked and Variation Orders 2023-200, 2023-201, 2023-202, 2023-203, and 2023-204 come into effect at 1800 hours on August 10, 2023. 

“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 fisheries sent directly to you by email please contact danielle.nichols@dfo-mpo.gc.ca