The
fishing regulations are strictly enforced in
Newfoundland and Labrador with virtually every
river being stealthfully patrolled. Typical
fines average $1000 for each illegally caught
fish AND forfeit of vehicles and gear used to
transport you to the location and catch the
fish. The Department of Fisheries and Oceans
coupled with the Inland Fish and Wildlife Division
of the Department of Forest Resources and Agrifoods
develop and enforce recreational fishing regulations
in Newfoundland and Labrador. Below is a summary
of the most pertinent and enforced regulations.
All
non-residents are required to obtain a salmon
license to fish on scheduled salmon waters.
Non-residents who retain brook trout while fishing
on a scheduled salmon river/stream are required
to be in possession of a valid non-resident
trout license. In addition, non-residents who
fish for brook trout, on both scheduled and
unscheduled waters (lakes, ponds or trout streams)
are required to hold a non-resident license.
Time
Anglers
may start fishing 1 hours prior to civil sunrise
and must finish fishing 1 hour after sunset.
Legal
and Illegal Gear
A
salmon may only be angled by hook and line.
The hook has to be a non-weighted artificial
fly with a single hook. Bait, metal lures, and
double and triple pronged hooks are prohibited.
The hook may not be fished more than 10 inches
below the surface (ie no sinking tip fly lines)
so as to prevent snagging, jigging, or accidental
foul hooking of salmon. Beginning in 1999, only
barbless hooks may be used for angling on all
scheduled salmon waters in Newfoundland and
Labrador. You may bend down the barb of a hook
to make it legal or "effectively barbless".
There
are virtually no restrictions on trout fishing
other than bag limits. Trout may be fished with
bait and/or artificial lures on non-scheduled
lakes, streams, and ponds.
Non-Resident
Guide Requirements
(1)
On the Island of Newfoundland Non-residents
shall not fish on any scheduled waters (salmon
waters) unless accompanied by a licensed guide
or a direct relative who is a resident of the
province. Unscheduled waters (non-salmon producing
lakes, ponds, and streams): Within 800 meters
of a provincial highway, non-residents may fish
unaccompanied on unscheduled water. Beyond 800
meters of a provincial highway, non-residents
may not fish unless accompanied by a licensed
guide or a direct relative who is a resident
of the province.
Bag
Limits and Catch and Release Limits
NOTE: ALL SALMON OVER 63cm (23.75 inches) MUST
BE RELEASED
Daily - Bag Limit
Two
fish on Class I, II and III rivers.
No fish on Class IV rivers.
Daily
- Catch -and -Release Limit
Four fish on Class I, II and III rivers.
Two fish on Class IV rivers. Four fish in the
fall catch-and release fisheries on the Gander
River and the Humber River.
Field Possession Limit
Twice the daily bag limit.
Season
- Retained
Class I Rivers: Six fish. Tags numbered 1 -
6 (red, white and brown) may be used.
Class II Rivers: Four fish. Only tags numbered
1 - 4 (red and white) may be used.
Class III Rivers: Two fish. Only tags 1 - 2
(red) may be used.
Class IV Rivers: No fish may be retained on
Class IV rivers; catch-and-release angling only
is permitted. (Tags numbered 1 to 7 are valid
for catch-and-release angling.)
Rivers
are classified by the Federal Department of
Fisheries and Oceans based on the strength of
the salmon run.
Class
I - The Gander River, Humber River
and the Lower Exploits River. On these three
rivers only, the season retention limit will
be 6 fish. The daily catch and release limit
is 4. Class 1 rivers will not be closed to angling
as a result of environmental conditions such
as low water levels and high water temperatures.
The Lower Humber and Gander River will have
a fall fishery for trophy salmon which closes
in October.
Class
II - Approximately 130 rivers with
healthy numbers where the season retention limit
will be 4 fish. The daily catch and release
limit is 4. Class II rivers will be closed to
angling if water levels are low and water temperatures
exceed 220C
Class
III - Rivers where there are conservation
concerns where the season retention limit will
be 2 fish. The daily catch and release limit
is 4. Class III rivers will be closed to angling
if water levels are low and water temperatures
exceed 220C.
Class
IV- Rivers which are either closed
to angling entirely, or where the only fishing
effort allowed will be catch and release. Where
catch and release fishing is allowed, the daily
catch and release bag limit will be 2 fish.
Class IV rivers will be closed to all angling
when water temperatures exceed 180C.
How
Big Was That Salmon / Trout? (length x girth2
/ 800 = weight in pounds)
