Canadian Sport Fishing Laws & Regulations for Atlantic Salmon

Single & Double Salmon flies only - If you want to keep a fish make sure you have the correct sort of license & remember that if you do you will not be allowed to fish for the rest of the day

Good to know:

Eastern Canada-Home Page

General Info about Atlantic Salmon Fishing to Eastern Canada

Download PDF copy of Canadian, New Brunswick, Miramichi Fishing License Rules & Regulations

Salmon Flies

There are a myriad of for the most part sensible fishing regulations in place to protect the Atlantic Salmon running the rivers of Eastern Canada. There are however a few restrictions which will seem at odds with a great many other salmon fishing countries. Some of the laws such as those regarding the number of salmon you can kill are strictly enforced whist on some others not much more than ‘lip service’ is applied.

A summary of some of the key regulations is listed below however for accurate and up to date advice you should always seek advice from your local guide.

1. All non-Residents must be accompanied by a licensed guide.
2. All Anglers must be in possession of a license that they should carry with them at all times whilst fishing. There are a number of different types however two important categories are of note:
   1. Standard weeklong non-residents license which comes complete with 8 numbered lock seal tags. These must be attached to any salmon retained with a limit of one per day after which time you MUST stop fishing.
   2. Live Release License – Whilst we strongly encourage catch and release the cost of the license is currently the same as a standard license. In the event that you are not able to return your fish alive it will never the less have to be discarded.
3. No angler is allowed to catch ore than 4 salmon in a day. (Please note that if your fish were to ‘fall off at the net’ then technically it would not count as part of your quota! There is no restriction on the number of fish that you can ‘hook’ but the regulations say that you are only allowed to ‘land’ 4 fish (even if they are released) after which time you must hang up your rod for the day.
4. Any angler that chooses to keep/kill a salmon (if his license allows) then he is not allowed to continue fishing during that day.
5. You can only fish with single or double hooks. Treble hooks are not allowed. (In Newfoundland and Labrador you can only use single hooks).
6. Weighted bodied flies are not allowed. Plastic Conehead flies are fine although metal coneheads are something of a grey area.
7. Sinking lines are legal. (Newfoundland & Labrador are an exception where any form of sinking line is illegal)
8. Fishing hours are from sunrise to sunset