Fish 2015 A part of our heritage Canada’s survey on recreational fishing – Be part of it and WIN! WIN one of two fishing rod packages: Fly Rod Package Spinning Rod & Reel Package or one of fifteen 2016 New Brunswick Fishing Licences Every five years a national survey is carried out to assess angling activity and to report on the economic and social importance of recreational fishing in Canada. New Brunswick anglers who take a few minutes to complete the on-line survey at the end of the 2015 fishing season are eligible to WIN! Go to www.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/stats/rec/canada-rec-eng.htm to participate and to see results from previous surveys. Don’t have on-line access? You can still provide useful catch data by completing and submitting the postage paid card found in the center of this book. A summary of fishing related information is available on DNR’s website: www.gnb.ca/naturalresources A Message from Minister Denis Landry Congratulations on the purchase of your 2015 New Brunswick angling licence. We are sure that you will find fishing in our beautiful province rewarding. New Brunswick boasts 2,500 lakes and 60,000 kilometres of rivers, brooks and streams and offers excellent angling opportunities with a variety of fish species. Angling is one of the best and most affordable ways for families to come together, and is a great way to teach future generations about the importance of our environment and the great outdoors. Through the purchase of licenses, anglers, also support conservation, stocking and management programs in New Brunswick and are integral to the protection of our fish resources. Fish New Brunswick Days (June 6-7). This is a great way for people to discover the fun of fishing in our waters and has resulted in many people becoming life-long anglers. I encourage you to participate in the National Survey of Recreation Fishing in Canada. The survey, conducted every five years, relies on your input to provide important information about the recreational fisheries in Canada’s provinces and territories. Angler surveys also provide valuable data to fisheries managers on fish populations throughout the province and help support decisions associated with our fisheries. The inside cover of this book provides information about the survey and how you can contribute. Please read this summary, follow the regulations, and have a safe, enjoyable and successful fishing season. Tight lines! Again this year, we will provide an opportunity for residents and non-residents to fish without a license or guide through Table of Contents Fish 2015 A part of our heritage Province of New Brunswick PO 6000, Fredericton NB E3B 5H1 10109 | 2015.02 www.gnb.ca ISBN 978-1-4605-0702-5 (print edition) ISBN 978-1-4605-0703-2 (PDF: English) ISBN 978-1-4605-0704-9 (PDF: French) Printed in New Brunswick IMPORTANT: This is not a legal document. This book provides a brief summary of major angling regulations and licence information for the 2015 season. Regulations are subject to change at any time. This book does not cover all the laws contained in federal and provincial acts and regulations. For additional information regarding season dates, bag limits, possession limits, size limits or gear restrictions, contact your local Department of Fisheries and Oceans. Definitions. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 How to Use This Summary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 New for 2015. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Activities Not Allowed While Angling. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 Angling Licences and Fees . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 Sea-Run Atlantic Salmon Information. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 Information for Non-Residents. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 DNR Fish Stocking Program . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 Fish New Brunswick Days. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 Recreational Fishery Areas (RFA). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 Restigouche. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 Chaleur. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 Miramichi. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21 Southeast. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28 Inner Bay of Fundy. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30 Lower Saint John . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33 Southwest. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36 Upper Saint John . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39 Additional Information. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43 Marine Species and Shellfish. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43 CROWN RESERVE WATERS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50 1 Definitions Angling: Fishing with a line to which up to three hooks are attached, held in the hand or attached to a rod. Artificial Fly: A single hook, a double hook or two single hooks dressed with materials likely to attract fish, with no weight, spinning device or natural bait attached. Boundary Waters: Waters forming the boundary between the State of Maine and/or the Province of Quebec and the Province of New Brunswick. Bag Limits: Except for sea-run Atlantic salmon, the possession limit for a particular species is the same as the daily bag limit. Fly Fishing: To cast upon the water and retrieve in the usual and ordinary manner an unbaited, unweighted artificial fly attached to a line to which no weight has been added. Trolling with artificial flies is permitted. Fly Fishing Only Waters (Scheduled): Waters where fly fishing is the only method of angling permitted. Guide Required Waters: Waters deemed to be angled mainly for Atlantic Salmon. Non-Residents require a guide while angling for any species on these waters after the designated date. Hook: A single, double or treble hook, with or without barbs, on one shank or shaft. Jigging: Manipulating a hook(s) to foul-hook a fish in any part of its body instead of its mouth. • Foul-hooked fish are those fish hooked accidentally in any part of the body except the mouth, which must be released unharmed immediately. Length Measurements: • Fork length (FL) is measured from the tip of the nose to the fork of the tail— used when measuring Atlantic salmon or landlocked salmon. • Total length (TL) is measured from the tip of the nose to the end of the tail (tips of the tail squeezed together)— used when measuring all other fish. Live Release: Capture and immediate release of live fish. Main Restigouche River: The main stem of the Restigouche River, from the junction with the Little Restigouche River and Kedgwick River, downstream to the J.C. Van Horne Bridge. Main Southwest Miramichi River: The main stem of the Southwest Miramichi River, from the forks at Juniper, downstream to the junction with the Northwest Miramichi River. Non-Sport Fish Seasons: Legal access to non-sport fish species is governed by the season for sport fish on all waters. If all sport fish seasons on a particular water are closed, then the non-sport fish season is also closed. Resident: a) A person who has resided in the province for a period of six months immediately prior to making an application for a licence. b) A person who has resided in the province for a period of two weeks immediately prior to making an application for a licence, where that person was required to take up residence in the province as a result of being transferred to the province by their employer. c) A person who is taking educational training of a threemonth minimum duration and has been residing in the province for a two-week period immediately prior to making an application for a licence. d) A person who resided in the province for a period of six months immediately prior to taking educational training outside the province. e) A person who has resided in the province for the purpose of employment for an aggregate period of six months within the last 12 months. f) A person who was born in the province and who owns real property in the province. Set Line: A fishing line that is not attached to a rod, held in the hand or closely attended. Sport Fish: Sea-run Atlantic salmon, landlocked salmon, brook trout, brown trout, lake trout, rainbow trout, arctic char, and smallmouth bass. Trolling: Angling with a hook(s) and line that is drawn through the water by a watercraft propelled by mechanical or manual means. 2 How to Use This Summary 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Where: See the map below and turn to the page of the Recreational Fishery Area (RFA) you will be fishing in. Look under Fly Fishing Only Waters: Check if the water you want to fish is fly fishing only. Look under Waters Closed to Angling: Make sure the water where you want to fish is open. What species: Decide which species you want to fish. Look under the species name: For season, bag limit, size limit and exceptions. Recreational Fishery Areas (RFAs) 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Restigouche — page 14 Chaleur — page 18 Miramichi — page 21 Southeast — page 28 Inner Bay of Fundy — page 30 Lower Saint John — page 33 Southwest — page 36 Upper Saint John — page 39 3 New for 2015 • At the time this book was printed, Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) could not confirm changes to Atlantic salmon angling for 2015 (quota reductions and barbless fly requirement). Please consult DFO’s website www.glf.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/ Gulf/FAM/Recreational-Fisheries or the online version of this book at www.gnb.ca/naturalresources for updates. • Barbless artificial flies are now required on all fly-fishing waters of the Northwest Miramichi River system. Live release measures for Atlantic salmon on the Northwest Miramichi River system will be for the entire season in 2015. See pages 24-26. • The South Branch of the Main Southwest Miramichi River – upstream from the footbridge behind the Juniper Lumber Mill to the remnants of the old Flemming Gibson Dam – is no longer closed after April 30. • The river closures at the mouth of Indiantown Brook (Quarryville Bridge) and the mouth of Wilson Brook (Main Southwest Miramichi) and the mouth of Sutherland Brook (Northwest Miramichi) are now in effect starting July 1 (see page 23). • Saint John River – from the highway bridge at Grafton to the railway bridge at Upper Woodstock – is now closed after June 30 (see page 33). • Striped bass seasons, bag limits, and gear restrictions in RFAs 1, 2, 3, and 4 are to be determined. Please consult DFO’s website www.glf.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/Gulf/FAM/Recreational-Fisheries for further details. • The tidal waters upstream of Centennial Bridge on the Miramichi River will be closed to angling activities following the sport fish season on October 31 and will remain closed until the start of the angling season the following year on April 15. • The tidal waters of the following rivers in RFA 2 will be closed to angling activities starting on March 20 until the start of the angling season on April 15 (May 1 on Nepisiguit); Bass River, Bathurst Harbour (Little, Middle and Tetagouche Rivers), Millstream River, Nigadoo River, Elmtree River, Jacket River, Benjamin River, Charlo River and Eel River. Proposed for 2016 Scheduling of the Taxis River to barbless artificial fly from April 15 to April 30. Fish & Wildlife e-Licensing What is it? e-Licensing is an electronic web-based system that enables residents and non-residents to purchase licences and apply for draws online for angling, hunting and trapping. When is it available? e-Licensing is available in Spring 2015 for: • angling licences; and • applications to the resident Moose Draw. To be added in 2016: • all hunting, trapping licences and other draws. Licences and draw applications not available through e-Licensing at this time will be sold as per usual. Where is it offered? • Online Access: Visit www.gnb.ca/naturalresources. You will need access to a computer, internet, and printer as well as a credit or debit card. • Participating vendors • Service New Brunswick (SNB) centres 4 What’s New? One-time Registration Your information such as your name, address and contact information will be collected once when you first access e-Licensing. You can do this in advance or before you purchase a licence. At this time you will be assigned an Outdoors Card number. This number will always be displayed on your licence. New Brunswick Residents New Brunswick residents must have a valid New Brunswick Driver’s Licence number or New Brunswick Photo Identification card number (both issued by SNB) to prove their New Brunswick residency. If you have neither of the above, you can visit any SNB centre to show other proof of residency. Conservation Education Card If you have a Conservation Education Card, this number can be entered in e-Licensing to link your profile with any previous training you have taken in the province, allowing you to buy licences that require specific training. Outdoors Card Your new Outdoors Card number will be printed on a card that will be sent to you after registration. The card can be used anytime when you wish to access e-Licensing or to identify yourself at a vendor or SNB centre. Licence Design All licences bought in e-Licensing will be printed on a standard 8 ½” x 11” sheet of paper. If you purchase multiple licences, they will all appear on the same sheet. This new licence design allows easy and accessible printing. Tag Design A NEW salmon tag will be used in 2015. The tags have two parts consisting of an adhesive label and a metal wire. Tagging instructions are found on the back of the adhesive label. In 2016, once hunting and trapping licences are included in e-Licensing, this tag design will be used for salmon, bear, moose and deer.. It’s necessary to activate tags in e-Licensing when buying a licence which require tag(s). This is done by entering a tag number in e-Licensing. The tag number will be displayed next to the relevant licence. Where can I get the tags? Tags are available at vendor locations, SNB centres and DNR offices free of charge. For more information, please contact the Department of Natural Resources: (506) 453-3826 dnr_mrnweb@gnb.ca | www.gnb.ca/naturalresources Activities Not Allowed While Angling (Applies to the open water season on inland waters) • Sport fish may not be caught by means other than angling. • No person shall angle with more than one fishing line to which more than three hooks are attached. • No person shall use a set-line for fishing in inland waters. • No person shall angle for sport fish during the period beginning two hours after sunset and ending two hours before sunrise (see exception, page 15). • No person shall fish for sea-run Atlantic salmon with an artificial fly that has more than two hooks. • No person shall fish with the aid of an artificial light or light from a fire. • No person shall use or possess live fish (including crayfish) as bait in inland waters. –– Exception: On international boundary waters (between Maine and New Brunswick), live fish may be used as bait provided they are obtained from the water being fished and are not on the prohibited list (see below). –– On international boundary waters (between Maine and New Brunswick), tidal waters and all inland waters, dead fish can be used as bait, as long as they are not on the prohibited list (see below). –– The use of the following fish as live or dead bait is prohibited: bass, bullhead, sunfish, yellow perch, white perch, other spiny fin-rayed fish, pickerel, muskellunge, goldfish or other carp. • Fishing with bait or lures is not permitted on Crown Reserve Waters. Artificial flies must be used while fishing these waters. • Fishing and/or assisting another angler to fish from a bridge is not permitted. • Fishing is not permitted within 22.8 m (25 yards) downstream from the lower entrance to any fish-way, canal, obstacle or leap. • Fishing is not permitted within a 100 m radius of any facility operated by or on behalf of the Department of Fisheries and Oceans or the Province for the purposes of counting, passage or rearing of fish. • Gaffs cannot be used to land sport fish. • Jigging devices or spears are not permitted within 15 metres of inland waters. • Snares or bows and arrows are not permitted in inland waters or within 15 metres of inland waters unless the person is lawfully hunting or trapping. • Fishing by jigging, or assisting in landing fish that have been caught by jigging in inland waters is not permitted. 5 Angling Licences and Fees Licences are available at www.gnb.ca/naturalresources, all Service New Brunswick centres, and from authorized vendors. Contact your local DNR office to find the location nearest you (see page 43). Type Class Period Salmon Tags Total Cost* Retention (with tags): 7 (Under 65 years of age) 8 (10 – 15 years of age / 65 or over) Live Release (salmon only): Season Season 4 4 $40.68 $22.60 16 (Under 65 years of age) 17 (10 – 15 years of age / 65 or over) 9 Season Season Season 0 0 0 $40.68 $22.60 $25.99 10 (65 years of age or over) Season 0 $16.95 Retention (with tags): 1 Season 4 $195.49 Resident: Atlantic Salmon (Includes all other fish) All fish except Atlantic Salmon Non-Resident: Atlantic Salmon (Includes all other fish) 2 7-Day ** 4 $113.00 3 3-Day ** 2 $59.89 Live Release: All fish except Atlantic Salmon 13 Season 0 $195.49 14 15 4 7-Day ** 3-Day ** Season 0 0 0 $113.00 $59.89 $72.32 5 7-Day ** 0 $46.33 6 3-Day ** 0 $33.90 * Total cost includes stocking fee, conservation fee and applicable tax. ** Valid only for consecutive calendar days. For example: June 30, July 1, July 2. One day angling adventures may be available to resident and non-resident anglers from specific operators and outfitters. For more information, see www.tourismnewbrunswick.ca Licence Requirements • Angling licences must be properly signed and carried at all times while fishing. • Angling licences are not required in tidal waters, except if Atlantic salmon are retained. New Brunswick tidal water boundaries are described at www.gnb.ca/naturalresources • Anglers can only purchase one Class 1, 7, or 8 licence per season. • Anglers 16 years of age and older require a provincial licence while angling in inland waters. • An angling licence does not authorize the holder to purchase, sell or barter sport fish. 6 Anglers under the age of 16 • Anglers, who are under 16 and do not have an Atlantic salmon licence, may fish for Atlantic salmon only when accompanied by an angler with a valid salmon licence. The licence holder must include the child’s catch in his/her daily catch limit. • Resident anglers 10 to 15 years old must buy an Atlantic salmon licence if they want their own bag limit. • Anglers under the age of 16 who do not wish to fish for salmon do not require an angling licence. These anglers have their own daily bag limit. • Regular angling licences do not entitle anglers to fish on Crown Reserve Waters. –– For information on youth anglers on Crown Reserve waters, see page 50-51. Sea-Run Atlantic Salmon Information See individual Recreational Fishery Area (RFA) for detailed Atlantic salmon information. Size Restrictions • Only grilse (Atlantic salmon) that are greater than or equal to 35 cm but less than 63 cm (fork length) may be retained. Tagging • No person shall be in possession of an Atlantic salmon (grilse) that is not properly tagged. • Where a grilse is caught by angling and retained, the person who hooked the grilse, whether or not that person landed the grilse, shall tag it. (See Guide I exemption, page 8) Angling Methods • No person shall fish for sea-run Atlantic salmon except by angling with an artificial fly. • Anglers may cast or troll using unweighted artificial flies that have single or double hooks. • Treble hooks are not permitted. Non-Resident Requirement • Non-resident anglers require a licensed guide when fishing for any species on Guide Required Waters after the designated date (see pages 8-9). Daily Limits • Once their bag or daily live release limit is reached, anglers must stop fishing sea-run Atlantic salmon for the day. How to tag a salmon Maximum size limit: less than 63 cm (fork length) 1. Insert wire under gills and through mouth. 2. Peel back liner of tag and place wire on half of sticky side. 3. Fold tag over ends of wire and apply pressure. 7 Information for Non-Residents • Non-resident anglers require a licensed guide when fishing for sea-run Atlantic salmon, or when angling for any species on Guide Required Waters after the designated date. • Non-residents may fish without a guide on Fish New Brunswick Days but require an appropriate licence if sea-run Atlantic salmon, or landlocked salmon (greater than 48 cm and less than 63 cm) are retained. • A professional guide (Guide I) is permitted to angle and hook a salmon on behalf of his or her licensed client. The client is considered to have hooked the salmon and may tag the fish, provided it is of legal length. • Professional guides (Guide I) and their clients cannot fish at the same time. • Non-residents may purchase any number or combination of Class 2 or Class 3 licences as long as the total number of tags does not exceed four per year. Guide Required Waters Non-resident anglers must be accompanied by a licensed New Brunswick guide when fishing these waters after the specified dates. River Guide Required Guide Required Stretch Beginning Restigouche RFA Kedgwick May 15 Little Main Restigouche May 15 Northwest Upsalquitch Patapedia May 15 May 15 Restigouche May 1 Southeast Upsalquitch Upsalquitch Chaleur RFA Big Tracadie Jacquet Nepisiguit Tetagouche Miramichi RFA Bartholomew Bartibog Big Sevogle Cains May 15 May 15 Entire river Entire river (Note: a portion of this river is restricted to residents only – see page 14) Mouth upstream to the closed waters Entire river From line drawn from Copeland Brook (NB) to Ruisseau du Moulin (Quebec) upstream to Little Main Restigouche Entire river Entire river April 15 July 1 April 15 April 15 Murchie Bridge to St. Sauveur road Route 11 bridge to Lower McNair Brook The Consolidated Bathurst Pumping Station Dam to Nepisiguit Falls From and including Minnie’s Pool upstream to Tetagouche Falls June 1 April 15 April 15 April 15 Dungarvon April 15 Mouth upstream to forks of North & South branches Egans Quarry upstream to Green Brook Entire river including North & South branches Mouth upstream to North Cains River Mouth upstream to western limit of timber block 222 (N 46°45.68’, W 066° 34.67’) Upstream of the Oxbow on the north boundary line of the Red Bank Indian Reserve No. 7 Little Southwest Miramichi April 15 Lower North Branch Little Southwest Miramichi 8 April 15 Entire river Guide Required Guide Required Stretch Beginning Miramichi RFA (continued) A line drawn from map grid 87948796 to 87048802 (the Old Squaw Main Southwest Miramichi April 15 Rock above the mouth of the Renous River) upstream to junction of North and South Branches North Branch Renous April 15 Mouth upstream to North Renous Lake North Branch Southwest April 15 Forks upstream to Beadle Brook Miramichi Northwest Miramichi April 15 From and including Scott’s Rapid Pool upstream to the forks Renous April 15 Entire river upstream of the Route 8 bridge South Branch Southwest April 15 Forks upstream to Flemming Gibson Dam at Juniper Miramichi South Branch Renous April 15 Mouth upstream to forks with Little Renous River Tabusintac April 15 Head of Tide Island upstream to Route 8 bridge Taxis July 1 Mouth upstream to Highway 625 crossing Tomogonops June 15 Mouth upstream to South Branch River DNR Fish Stocking Program The Department of Natural Resources’ Fish Stocking Program aims to enhance recreational angling opportunities for brook trout and landlocked salmon by stocking these species annually in a number of lakes throughout the province. Stocking is carried out in the spring or fall. Fall stocked fish (f) generally range in size from 10cm to 15cm (4” to 6”) and spring stocked fish (s) range from 15cm to 25cm (6” to 10”). The table on the next page provides details about the fish stocked in 2014. For more information, or a list of previous years’ stockings, please visit our website: www.gnb.ca/naturalresources 9 NOTE: Stocking amounts were below target in spring 2014 due to unforeseen circumstances at the growers’ facilities during previous years. RFA County 1 Restigouche Gloucester 2 3 5 6 Restigouche Northumberland Saint John Westmorland Carleton Kings York 7 Charlotte 8 Madawaska Restigouche Victoria RFA 2 5 6 7 County Restigouche Saint John Queens York Charlotte Queens York Madawaska 8 Northumberland Restigouche Brook Trout Stocking 2014 Lake/Pond, Amount stocked (Season stocked) Eightmile 3550 (f) Gounamitz 1910 (f) Island 1940 (s) Bass River Lake 6300 (f) Pabineau 3930 (f) Antinouri 6870 (f) Belledune 2820 (s) Indian 2200 (f) Lower Tetagouche 4810 (f) Murray 3760 (f) Popelogan 1170 (f) Upper Tetagouche 2960 (f) Blind 840 (f) Chatham Res. 2000 (s) First Bear 1160 (f) North 650 (f) Arnold 1370 (s) Fisher 2000 (s) Taylor 1200 (s) Theobald 1550 (s) Morice 2990 (s) Nashwaak 2110 (s) Pickett 990 (s) Killarney 2000 (s) Cundy 790 (s) Dwellys 900 (s) Little 500 (s) Long 600 (s) Ormond 8320 (f) Round 170 (s) Sparks 1940 (s) Baker 4480 (s) Thompson 1000 (s) Nictau 2400 (s) Roulston 860 (s) Landlocked Salmon Stocking 2014 Lake/Pond, Amount stocked (Season stocked) Middle Tetagouche 70 (s) Upper Tetagouche 80 (s) Loch Lomond 2000 (s) Grand 31900 (s) Grand 7500* (f) Oromocto 5010 (s) Second Eel 1000 (s) Clear 150 (s) East Long 150 (s) Queens 750 (s) Harvey 1630 (s) Magaguadavic 180** (f) Baker 1400 (s) Baker 14100* (f) Unique 280 (s) Serpentine 1230 (s) Nictau 500 (s) McDougall 2100 (f) Teagues 9050 (f) Head 480 (f) Middle Tetagouche 2410 (f) Tongue 1120 (f) Estey 470 (f) Second Bear 470 (f) Lily 2000 (s) Great 1100 (s) Middle Dam 570 (s) Sandy Cove 250 (s) Unique 14830 (f) Yoho 280 (s) Skiff 1400 (s) Baker 170** (f) * surplus parr ** adult DNR Fish Stocking Program Assessment Before being stocked, a fin is clipped on each fish so it can be distinguished from wild fish. If you catch a brook trout or landlocked salmon with a fin clip please add a note on your angler survey (see insert) indicating which fin was clipped along with the length, date and location (waterbody) of your catch. ADIPOSE FIN (AD) VENTRAL FINS This information is important in helping us evaluate DNR’s fish stocking program. PLEASE REPORT YOUR CATCH! 10 Protect Our Waters ILLEGAL! Unauthorized transfer or stocking of any fish What is the problem? • Introduced species can prey on resident fish species and compete for food and space. • New species disrupt natural ecosystems. • They can introduce diseases and parasites to native fish. What can you do? • Do not stock or move fish. It is illegal to transfer or stock any fish without authorization. • Be aware of bait regulations. It is illegal to use live fish as bait in most New Brunswick waters. Where use of live bait is legal, use bait from the body of water you are fishing. • Never release aquarium or pond fish into natural waters. For more information: www.gnb.ca/naturalresources To report illegal fish stocking activity, please call: Invasive species: What to do New Brunswick waters are being threatened by invasive plants and animals. Once established, invasive species are extremely difficult, if not impossible, to control or eradicate. They disrupt natural ecosystems and are one of the leading causes of native species becoming threatened or endangered. Every time you move from one body of water to another, aquatic invasive species may travel with you. You can help stop them! When enjoying recreational activities like boating and fishing, please remember to do the following: • Inspect and remove all visible aquatic plants, animals and mud from canoes, kayaks, jet skis, boats, motors, trailers and equipment • Drain all the water from your boat, including the live well, bilge, and motor • Wash watercraft with high-pressure or hot water or dry for 5 days • Check, clean, and dry all personal gear, including waders, fishing lines and lures. • Dispose of unused bait responsibly • Never release plants, fish or other animals into a body of water unless they came out of that water! 11 Alert! Largemouth bass have recently been caught in Grand Falls Flowage (St. Croix River) and the Meduxnekeag River at Woodstock (Saint John River). Their presence is believed to be due to illegal introductions. The New Brunswick Department of Natural Resources encourages all anglers that catch a largemouth bass of any size to keep it and deliver it to the nearest DNR Office. The continued presence of largemouth bass may have a negative impact on existing fish species and their fisheries. Identification Tips Largemouth bass: 1 Mouth terminates behind the eye 2 Separation between spiny and soft rays on dorsal fin 3 Dark horizontal bar Smallmouth bass: 1 Mouth terminates inline with or slightly ahead of the eye 2 No separation between spiny and soft rays on dorsal fin 3 Dark vertical patches LARGEMOUTH BASS 1 2 3 SMALLMOUTH BASS Tips on Releasing Fish • Consider using artificial lures and barbless hooks. • Treble hooks and flies will reduce hooking mortality in young fish. • Retrieve your catch quickly. Use appropriate size tackle to quickly land the fish or break off large fish. • Release the fish immediately by gently placing it in calm water. • Keep your fingers out of the gills and eyes. 12 • Avoid squeezing the fish. Use both hands to evenly support the fish’s weight. • Keep the fish in the water as much as possible. • Cut the line and leave deeply embedded or swallowed hooks in the fish. • A fish that can be legally kept should not be released if it is bleeding heavily. Its chance of surviving is very low. Fish New Brunswick Days June 6 & 7 2015 Anglers may fish for all species without purchasing a licence. However, anglers wishing to retain Atlantic salmon require a licence. Non-Residents may fish without a guide on these days. Individuals whose angling privileges have been revoked cannot fish anywhere in the province, including on Fish New Brunswick Days. All current bag limits, closures and other restrictions are still in effect on Fish New Brunswick Days. Access to private waters, Crown Reserve waters and Crown Leases is still restricted. 13 Restigouche Recreational Fishery Area Boundary Description: All lakes, rivers and streams of the Restigouche River and tributaries upstream of the J.C. Van Horne Bridge at Campbellton. Attention anglers: • The Restigouche River main stem is primarily private or leased waters. Permission from the owner/lessee is required to angle on these waters. • Little Main Restigouche River from the junction of the Kedgwick River upstream to, but not including, the pool at the mouth of Jardine Brook is restricted to Resident anglers only. Fly Fishing Only Waters Excludes all tributaries unless otherwise noted River Gounamitz Jardine Brook, Restigouche County Beginning July 1 July 1 Jardine Brook, Victoria County August 1 Kedgwick Little Main Restigouche May 1 May 15 Northwest Upsalquitch May 1 Patapedia Restigouche June 1 May 15 Restigouche April 15 Restigouche May 15 Southeast Upsalquitch May 1 Upsalquitch May 1 14 Stretch Gounamitz river upstream to the junction of the North and West Branches Jardine Brook, Restigouche County, from its junction with the Little Main Restigouche River upstream to the Restigouche-Victoria County boundary line (Grid Reference 609175 5264053) Jardine Brook, Victoria County, from the Restigouche-Victoria County boundary line (Grid Reference 609175 5264053) upstream to the CN railway bridge Kedgwick River including North and South Branches Little Main Restigouche River from a line drawn from Grid Reference 613248 5279890 to Grid Reference 613337 5279856 (its mouth at the junction with the Main Restigouche River and the Kedgwick River) upstream to Cedar Brook at Grid Reference 590964 5252358 Northwest Upsalquitch River upstream to Nine Mile Brook (Grid Reference 664850 5275150) Patapedia River, that portion lying within the province of New Brunswick Restigouche River, from the junction with the Kedgwick River downstream to the junction with the Patapedia River Restigouche River, from the junction with the Patapedia River downstream to the Matapedia CN Railway Bridge Restigouche River from the Matapedia CN Railway Bridge to a line drawn from Copeland Brook (NB) to Ruisseau du Moulin (Québec) Southeast Upsalquitch upstream to the first unnamed pool (Grid Reference 680703 5279878) above Boar’s Head Pool Upsalquitch River Waters Closed to Angling Water Northwest Upsalquitch River Southeast Upsalquitch River Stretch Closed Northwest Upsalquitch River above Nine Mile Brook (grid Reference Year round 664850 5275150), not including tributaries. Southeast Upsalquitch River from and including the unnamed pool Year round (Grid Reference 680703 5279878) above Boars Head Pool, upstream to Simpson’s Field Falls, not including tributaries. Angling rules for boundary waters with Quebec Patapedia River and the Main Restigouche River downstream from the Patapedia River to the J.C. Van Horne bridge at Campbellton. Angling Licences • Angling licences issued by Quebec or New Brunswick are legally recognized on all common boundary waters of the Restigouche drainage upstream of the J.C. Van Horne Bridge at Campbellton. • The tidal water boundary recognized by New Brunswick on the Restigouche River is a line between Copeland Brook (NB) to Ruisseau du Moulin (Quebec). However, all anglers fishing the Quebec portion of the waters upstream of the J.C. VanHorne Bridge at Campbellton to this line must have a valid NB or Quebec Angling licence. • Legal Fishing Hours on the Restigouche and Patapedia Rivers boundary waters are from one hour before sunrise to one hour after sunset. Atlantic Salmon At the time this book was printed, Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) could not confirm changes to Atlantic salmon angling for 2015 (quota reductions and barbless fly requirement). Please consult DFO’s website www.glf.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/Gulf/FAM/ Recreational-Fisheries or the online version of this book at www.gnb.ca/naturalresources for updates. Open season Spring Summer Fall Limits Spring Summer Fall Minimum size (FL) Maximum size (FL) Possession Non-boundary waters Boundary waters between NB and Quebec May 1 – 31 April 15 – May 31 (Restigouche River only) June 1 – August 31 June 1 – August 31 September 1 – 30 Live release September 1 – 30 Live release Daily Bag Limit Live Release Limit Daily Bag Limit Live Release Limit 0 10 0 10 1 4 2 4 0 4 0 4 35 cm 35 cm Less than 63 cm Less than 63 cm 4 4 15 Atlantic Salmon Seasons – Restigouche Drainage Includes all tributaries unless otherwise noted River Gounamitz Kedgwick Little Main Restigouche* Main Restigouche boundary waters Main Restigouche non-boundary waters North Kedgwick Northwest Upsalquitch Patapedia Southeast Upsalquitch Upsalquitch Spring Kelt N/A N/A May 1 – 31 April 15 – May 31 May 1 – 31 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A Bright retention June 1 – August 31 Live release only September 1 – 30 * upstream to Cedar Brook Trout Open season Rivers, brooks and streams Lakes, ponds and reservoirs Daily Bag and Possession Limits Daily bag and possession (Total of: arctic char, brook trout, brown trout, lake trout, or rainbow trout*) Minimum Size Limits (TL) Brook trout Lake trout Arctic char, brown trout, rainbow trout Non-Boundary waters May 1 – September 15 Boundary waters between N.B. and Quebec Patapedia River. . . . . . . . . . . . . June 3 – September 15 Restigouche River from: –– Patapedia River downstream to Matapedia CN Railway Bridge. . April 15 – Sept. 30 –– Matapedia CN Railway Bridge to the J.C. Van Horne Bridge. . . . . . . April 15 – Oct. 31 May 15 – September 15 N/A 5* 5* 10 cm 45 cm 15 cm 10 cm 45 cm 15 cm * No more than two lake trout and/or two brown trout Exceptions to open season and/or size and bag limits Season: Restigouche drainage upstream from the junction of the Main Restigouche River and the Kedgwick River, including all tributaries . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . May 1 – September 30 Daily bag limit: Restigouche drainage upstream from the junction of the Main Restigouche River and the Kedgwick River, including all tributaries (September 1 – 30). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0 Minimum size limit: Brook trout, Gounamitz River, and South Branch Kedgwick River, not including tributaries . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25 cm (TL) 16 Non-Sport Fish Non-boundary waters Open season: In non-tidal waters, these species may be angled only if a sport fish season is also open on the waters being fished (unless an exception is noted below). Please check the sport fish seasons in this RFA to determine if a season is open. Exception: The season for whitefish ends on September 15 Daily bag and possession, length limits Species Daily Quota Minimum Length Maximum Length Burbot 10 10 cm TL 100 cm TL Eel 10 20 cm N/A Gaspereau 20 N/A N/A Shad 5 N/A N/A Smelt 60 N/A N/A Striped bass Seasons and bag limits to be determined. For further details see DFO website: www.glf.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/Gulf/FAM/Recreational-Fisheries White perch 25 10 cm TL 50 cm TL Whitefish 8 10 cm TL 70 cm TL Yellow perch 100 10 cm TL 50 cm TL Smelt SMELT Angling or dip netting Open Season Non-boundary waters April 15 – May 31 Daily bag/possession limit 60 Boundary waters between N.B. and Quebec April 15 – May 31 60 Exceptions to open season and/or size and bag limits Restigouche River, upstream of a reference point at a straight line from Copeland Brook (NB) to Ruisseau du Moulin (Quebec) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Smelt season closed No bag or length restrictions exist for any other non-sport fish found in this RFA. 17 Chaleur Recreational Fishery Area Boundary description: All lakes, rivers, and streams draining into the Bay of Chaleur seaward of the J.C. Van Horne Bridge at Campbellton and all waters draining into the Gulf of St. Lawrence north of Tabusintac Bay. Fly Fishing Only Waters Excludes all tributaries unless otherwise noted River Big Tracadie Beginning Stretch April 15 – 30 Big Tracadie River, upstream of a line drawn from 47°27’46.2”N After September 15 64°56’01.9”W to 47°27’25.5”N 64°55’23.7”W Comeau April 15 – 30 Comeau River, upstream of a line drawn from 47°28’30.2”N 64°55’42.2”W After September 15 to 47°28’26.5”N 64°55’50.5”W Jacquet July 1 Jacquet River, from Route 134 (old Route 11) bridge upstream to the head of Kettle Hole Pool Leech Nepisiguit April 15 – 30 After September 15 April 15 – 30 After September 15 June 1 Nigadoo July 15 Leech River, upstream of a line drawn from 47°27’46.2”N 64°56’01.9”W to 47°27’25.5”N 64°55’23.7”W Little Tracadie River, upstream of the Route 11 Bridge (47°31’41.3”N 64°56’02.7”W to 47°31’52.5”N 64°56’00.3”W Nepisiguit River, from the Route 11 bridge at Bathurst upstream to Nepisiguit Falls Nigadoo River, upstream from Route 134 bridge to a line drawn from 47°44’38.59”N 65°53’24.22”W to 47°44’38.55”N 65°53’23.16”W (including Haché Pool) Pokemouche River, upstream of Route 113 Bridge Little Tracadie Pokemouche April 15 – 30 After September 15 Portage April 15 – 30 Portage River, upstream of a line drawn from 47°27’46.2”N 64°56’01.9”W After September 15 to 47°27’25.5”N 64°55’23.7”W Southwest Caraquet July 15 Southwest Caraquet River, from the Route 11 bridge upstream to Innishannon Brook Waters Closed to Angling Water Stretch Tributaries to All brooks flowing into Nepisiguit Lake, Northumberland County Nepisiguit Lakes Nepisiguit River Nepisiguit River from the head of Pabineau Falls Pool downstream 45 metres Nepisiguit River Nepisiguit River within 100 metres of the Nepisiguit counting fence Nepisiguit River Nepisiguit River from its junction with the Big South Nepisiguit downstream to, but not including, White Birch Pool Nepisiguit River Nepisiguit River from and including White Birch Pool downstream to and including Elbow Pool Nepisiguit River Nepisiguit River from but not including Elbow Pool downstream to Indian Falls Brook 18 Closed Year round Year round Year round Year round April 15 – July 14 August 16 – Sept. 15 Year round Atlantic Salmon At the time this book was printed, Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) could not confirm changes to Atlantic salmon angling for 2015 (quota reductions and barbless fly requirement). Please consult DFO’s website www.glf.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/Gulf/FAM/ Recreational-Fisheries or the online version of this book at www.gnb.ca/naturalresources for updates. Open season . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . April 15 – October 29 Season bag limit. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Daily bag limit. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 Possession limit. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Maximum size limit, grilse retention only. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Less than 63 cm (FL) Daily live release limit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Spring salmon (kelt) angling Season:. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . April 15 – May 15 Daily live release limit (unless daily bag limit is reached). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 Exceptions to open season and/or size and bag limits Daily bag limit: Nepisiguit River daily grilse retention . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 Atlantic Salmon Seasons – Chaleur Drainage Includes all tributaries unless otherwise noted River Bass Benjamin Caraquet Charlo Eel Jacquet – upstream of Halfway Pool Jacquet – from and including Halfway Pool downstream to mouth Little Little Tracadie Middle Millstream Nepisiguit – from Nepisiguit Falls downstream to mouth Nigadoo Spring kelt April 15 – May 15 April 15 – May 15 April 15 – May 15 April 15 – May 15 April 15 – May 15 N/A April 15 – May 15 Bright retention May 16 – October 22 May 16 – October 22 May 16 – October 15 May 16 – October 22 May 16 – October 22 June 1 – October 15 May 16 – October 22 Live release only N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A April 15 – May 15 April 15 – May 15 April 15 – May 15 April 15 – May 15 N/A May 16 – October 15 May 16 – October 15 May 16 – October 22 May 16 – October 15 June 1 – September 30 N/A N/A N/A October 16 – 22 October 1 – 22 April 15 – May 15 May 16 – October 22 N/A Pokemouche South Caraquet Tetagouche Tracadie – below Lord & Foy Tracadie – upstream of Lord & Foy April 15 – May 15 April 15 – May 15 April 15 – May 15 April 15 – May 15 N/A May 16 – October 15 May 16 – October 29 May 16 – October 22 May 16 – October 29 June 1 – October 15 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A 19 Landlocked Salmon Open season . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . May 15 – September 30 Daily bag and possession limit. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 Minimum size limit. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35 cm (FL) Maximum size limit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Less than 63 cm (FL) Any landlocked salmon equal to or greater than 48 centimetres and less than 63 centimetres fork length requires an Atlantic salmon tag if it is retained. Trout Open season Rivers, brooks and streams Lakes, ponds and reservoirs Daily bag and possession limit Total of: arctic char, brook trout, brown trout or rainbow trout Minimum Size Limits (TL) Brook trout Arctic char, brown trout, rainbow trout May 1 – September 15 May 15 – September 15 5* 10 cm 15 cm * No more than two brown trout. Exceptions to open season and/or size and bag limits Nepisiguit (Bathurst) Lake. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Live release only Nepisiguit Lakes thoroughfares connecting the chain of four lakes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Open May 15 Non-Sport Fish Open season: In non-tidal waters, these species may be angled only if a sport fish season is also open on the waters being fished (unless an exception is noted below). Please check the sport fish seasons in this RFA to determine if a season is open. Exceptions: • The season for smelt ends on May 31. • The season for whitefish ends on September 15. Daily bag and possession, length limits Species Daily Quota Minimum Length Maximum Length Burbot 10 10 cm TL 100 cm TL Eel 10 20 cm N/A Gaspereau 20 N/A N/A Shad 5 N/A N/A Smelt 60 N/A N/A Striped bass Seasons and bag limits to be determined – for further details see DFO website: www.glf.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/Gulf/FAM/Recreational-Fisheries White perch 25 10 cm TL 50 cm TL Whitefish 8 10 cm TL 70 cm TL Yellow perch 100 10 cm TL 50 cm TL No bag or length restrictions exist for any other non-sport fish found in this RFA. 20 Miramichi Recreational Fishery Area Boundary description: All lakes, rivers and streams draining into Tabusintac Bay and all waters draining into Miramichi Bay north of Point Escuminac. Attention anglers: Some stretches on the Miramichi River are private or leased waters. Permission from the owner/lessee is required to angle on these waters. Fly Fishing Only Waters Excludes all tributaries unless otherwise noted River Bartholomew Beginning April 15 Bartholomew April 15 – May 15, June 1 April 15 – 30, After September 15 April 15 Bartibog Beadle Brook Big Sevogle Burnthill Brook April 15 – May 15, June 1 April 15 Cains April 15 Clearwater Brook Dungarvon April 15 April 15 – May 15, June 1 April 15 Fifteen Mile Brook Little Southwest April 15 Miramichi Main Southwest April 15 Miramichi McKeil Brook April 15 North Branch Renous April 15 – May 15, June 1 Stretch Bartholomew River from its confluence with the Main Southwest Miramichi River upstream to the Route 8 bridge Bartholomew River, from the Route 8 bridge upstream to Leadbetter Brook Bartibog River from the Route 11 bridge upstream to the junction with the South Branch and Middle Branch, Bartibog Rivers Beadle Brook from its junction with North Branch Southwest Miramichi River upstream to the junction of the North and South Branches Big Sevogle River from its junction with the Northwest Miramichi River upstream to its source, including the North Branch and the South Branch Burnthill Brook, from its confluence with the Southwest Miramichi River upstream to its source Cains River from its junction with the Southwest Miramichi River upstream to Beaver Brook Clearwater Brook, from its confluence with the Southwest Miramichi River upstream to its source Dungarvon River from its junction with the Renous River upstream to the Salmon protection barrier (0.8 km downstream of Stone Brook) Fifteen Mile Brook, from its confluence with the North Branch Southwest Miramichi River upstream to its source Little Southwest Miramichi River, from its junction with the Northwest Miramichi River upstream to its source, including the North Pole Stream and the Lower North Branch Little Southwest Miramichi River. Main Southwest Miramichi River upstream from a line drawn at the mouth of Doyles Brook from grid reference 751539 5194066 to grid reference 751553 5193718, Northumberland County, to the junction of the North Branch Southwest Miramichi River and South Branch Southwest Miramichi River, Carleton County McKeil Brook, from its confluence with the Southwest Miramichi River upstream to its source North Branch Renous River from its junction with the Renous River upstream to North Renous Lake 21 River North Branch Southwest Miramichi Northwest Miramichi Renous Renous Rocky Brook South Branch Southwest Miramichi South Branch Renous Tabusintac Tabusintac Tabusintac West Brook Beginning April 15 Stretch North Branch Southwest Miramichi River from its junction with the Southwest Miramichi River upstream to its source, including all tributaries April 15 Northwest Miramichi River from the Red Bank/Sunny Corner Bridge upstream to a point 200 metres upstream of the junction of the Northwest Miramichi River and the South Branch Northwest Miramichi River April 15 Renous River from its junction with the Main Southwest Miramichi River upstream to the Route 8 bridge April 15 – May 15, Renous River from the Route 8 bridge upstream to its source, the junction of June 1 the North and South Branches in Northumberland County April 15 Rocky Brook, from its confluence with the Southwest Miramichi River upstream to its source April 15 South Branch Southwest Miramichi River upstream to the Route 107 bridge at Foreston, Carleton County. April 15 – May 15, June 1 April 15 – May 15, After September 15 South Branch Renous River from its junction with the Renous River upstream to Route 108 Tabusintac River from Route 11 Bridge upstream to a line drawn directly across the river at Stilson Brook (Grid Reference 793147 5249677 to 793133 5249812, Old Boom Landing Road) April 15 – May 15, Tabusintac River from a line drawn directly across the river at Stilson Brook After September 15 (Grid Reference 793147 5249677 to 793133 5249812, Old Boom Landing Road) upstream to a line drawn directly across the river at Becks Brook (Grid Reference 789260 5250163) April 15 – May 15, Tabusintac River from a line drawn directly across the river at Becks Brook June 1 (Grid Reference 789260 5250163 to 789257 5250072) to its source April 15 West Brook, from its confluence with the North Branch Southwest Miramichi River upstream to the CN railway crossing Waters Closed to Angling Water Stretch Cains River Cains River from the river ford located approximately three-quarters of a kilometer above the Hopewell Lodge upstream to the mouth of Lower Otter Brook Dungarvon River First and Second Lakes Little Bartibog River 22 Dungarvon River from 100 meters below the DNR Salmon Protection Barrier upstream to its source, including all tributaries First and Second Lakes, North Esk Parish, Northumberland County All waters of Little Bartibog River, Northumberland County, from 25 metres downstream to 25 metres upstream of the Russellville bridge Closed Closed prior to Live Release Crown Reserve period (June 1 – September 15) Year round Year round Year round Water Lower North Branch Little Southwest Miramichi Main Southwest Miramichi River Stretch Lower North Branch Little Southwest Miramichi from and including Rocky Rapids Pool upstream to its source, including all tributaries Closed Closed outside Live Release Crown Reserve period (June 1 – September 15) Closed after June 30 Main Southwest Miramichi River from a point 300 metres upstream from the Quarryville bridge, to a point 300 metres downstream from said bridge, including Indiantown Brook from its junction upstream to Route 108 Closed after June 30 Main Southwest The north side of the Main Southwest Miramichi River to a point 100 Miramichi River metres off shore, from a point 100 metres upstream to a point 100 metres downstream of the mouth of Wilson Brook, and the waters of Wilson Brook upstream 100 metres from its junction with the Main Southwest Miramichi River, an area known locally as the Bear Den North Branch North Branch Main Southwest Miramichi River upstream from the Bridge Closed after Main Southwest Pool to its source, not including tributaries June 30 Miramichi North Pole North Pole Stream from the junction of Lizard Brook upstream to its Year round Stream sources in Northumberland County, not including tributaries North Pole North Pole Stream from its junction with the Little Southwest Miramichi Closed outside Live Stream River upstream to the junction with Lizard Brook, not including Release Crown Reserve tributaries period (July 1 – September 15) Northwest Headwaters of the Northwest Miramichi River from a point 200 meters Year round Miramichi River upstream of its junction with the South Branch Northwest Miramichi River, including all tributaries Closed after June 30 Northwest Waters of Northwest Miramichi River 100 metres upstream to 100 Miramichi River metres downstream from the mouth of Sutherland Brook and Sutherland Brook from its junction with the Northwest Miramichi River upstream to the Route 420 bridge Northwest Within 100 metres of the Route 430 bridge(locally known as Miner’s Year round Miramichi River Bridge) Stewart Brook- From its junction with the Northwest Miramichi River upstream to a Year round Northwest point 90 metres above the Miramichi Salmonid Enhancement Centre Miramichi River water supply dam In-season pool closures in the Miramichi River system There is an overall concern for the status of Atlantic salmon under stressful conditions associated with exceptional climatic events. To reduce the impact of fishing on Atlantic salmon, a protocol to close certain salmon holding pools in the Miramichi River during stressful warm water conditions has been developed using science-based advice. For more information on these conservation measures, please refer to DFO Gulf Region’s Recreational Fisheries webpage: www.glf.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/Gulf/FAM/Recreational-Fisheries 23 Restricted Gear Waters 1. All angling for all species in the following waters is restricted to: a) a single barbless hook or; e) a baited or unbaited non-offset barbless circle hook or; b) an unbaited lure with a single barbless hook or; f) a baited or unbaited lure with a non-offset barbless c) an unbaited spinner with a single barbless hook or; circle hook or: d) an artificial fly with single barbless hook or; g) a baited or unbaited spinner with a non-offset barbless circle hook Water Stretch Main Southwest Miramichi River Confluence with Northwest Miramichi River upstream to Doyle’s Brook Miramichi River Centennial Bridge upstream to the confluence of the Main Southwest Miramichi River and Northwest Miramichi River Northwest Miramichi River From the junction with the Main Southwest Miramichi River upstream to Red Bank / Sunny Corner highway bridge Date Year round Year round Year round 2. During the period from April 15 to May 15, barbless flies must now be used for angling all species (including Atlantic Salmon and brook trout) in the Fly Fishing Only sections on the following rivers (see pages 21 – 22). Tributaries are not included, unless otherwise noted. Main Southwest Miramichi Dungarvon Bartholomew Little Southwest Renous South Branch Southwest Miramichi Cains Big Sevogle Tabusintac North Branch Southwest Miramichi (including tributaries) 3. Bartibog River: During the period from April 15 to April 30, barbless flies must now be used for angling all species (including Atlantic salmon and brook trout) in the Fly-Fishing Only section (see page 21). 4. Northwest Miramichi River: During the period from April 15 to October 15, barbless flies must now be used for angling all species (including Atlantic salmon and brook trout) in the Fly-Fishing Only sections (see pages 21-22). ATLANTIC SALMON 24 Atlantic Salmon At the time this book was printed, Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) could not confirm changes to Atlantic salmon angling for 2015 (quota reductions and barbless fly requirement). Please consult DFO’s website www.glf.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/Gulf/FAM/ Recreational-Fisheries or the online version of this book at www.gnb.ca/naturalresources for updates. Open season . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . April 15 – October 29 Season bag limit. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Daily bag limit. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 Possession limit. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Maximum size limit, grilse retention only. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Less than 63 cm (FL) Daily live release limit (May 16 – October 15). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Spring salmon (kelt) angling Open season . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . April 15 – May 15 Daily live release limit (unless the daily bag limit is reached). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 Fly fishing only with barbless hooks. Atlantic Salmon Seasons – Miramichi Drainage Includes all tributaries unless otherwise noted Water Bartholomew River Bartibog River Bay du Vin River Big Sevogle River – downstream from and including Square Forks to its confluence with the Northwest Miramichi River Black River Burnt Church River Cains River Clearwater Brook Dungarvon River – downstream from the Furlong Bridge Dungarvon River – upstream from the Furlong Bridge Little Southwest Miramichi River and its tributaries upstream of Cleland’s Pool Little Southwest Miramichi River – downstream from and including Cleland’s Pool to its confluence with the Northwest Miramichi River Main Southwest Miramichi River – junction of Burnt Land Brook downstream to its mouth Main Southwest Miramichi River – junction of Burnt Land Brook upstream to forks at Juniper Main Southwest Miramichi River – tributaries downstream of Cains River not described in this table Main Southwest Miramichi River – tributaries upstream of Cains River not described in this table Spring kelt April 15 – May 15 April 15 – May 15 April 15 – May 15 Bright Retention May 16 – Oct. 15 May 16 – Oct. 29 May 16 – Oct. 15 April 15 – May 15 N/A Live release only N/A N/A N/A April 15 – October 15 April 15 – May 15 May 16 – Oct. 15 April 15 – May 15 May 16 – Oct. 29 April 15 – May 15 May 16 – Oct. 15 N/A N/A N/A Sept. 16 – 30 (Mouth April 15 – May 15 May 16 – Sept. 15 to Northeast Branch) April 15 – May 15 May 16 – Oct. 15 N/A April 15 – May 15 May 16 – Sept. 15 N/A April 15 – May 15 N/A April 15 – Sept. 15 April 15 – May 15 N/A April 15 – Oct. 15 April 15 – May 15 May 16 – Oct. 15 N/A April 15 – May 15 May 16 – Sept. 30 October 1 – 15 April 15 – May 15 May 16 – Oct. 15 N/A April 15 – May 15 May 16 – Sept. 15 N/A 25 Water Napan River North Branch Big Sevogle River – upstream of Square Forks North Branch Main Southwest Miramichi River upstream to the Bridge Pool Northwest Miramichi River – from and including Little River downstream to the Red Bank bridge on Route 425 Northwest Miramichi River – upstream of Little River Renous River – downstream from forks of the North and South Branches Renous River – upstream from the forks of North and South Branches Rocky Brook South Branch Big Sevogle River – upstream of Square Forks South Branch of the Northwest Miramichi River South Branch Main Southwest Miramichi River from the forks upstream to the footbridge behind the Juniper Lumber mill, grid reference 36805650 Tabusintac River Spring kelt Bright Retention Live release only April 15 – May 15 May 16 – Oct. 15 N/A April 15 – May 15 N/A April 15 – Sept. 15 April 15 – May 15 May 16 – Sept. 15 N/A April 15 – May 15 N/A April 15 – Oct. 15 N/A June 10 – Sept. 15 N/A April 15 – May 15 May 16 – Oct. 15 N/A April 15 – May 15 May 16 – Sept. 15 N/A April 15 – May 15 May 16 – Aug. 31 N/A April 15 – May 15 N/A April 15 – Sept. 15 N/A June 10 – Aug 31 N/A April 15 – May 15 May 16 – Sept. 15 N/A April 15 – May 15 May 16 – Oct. 29 N/A Trout Open season Rivers, brooks and streams May 1 – September 15 Lakes, ponds and reservoirs May 15 – September 15 Daily bag and possession limit Total of arctic char, brook trout, brown trout or rainbow trout 5* of which only 2 may be greater than 30 cm (TL) Minimum Size Limits (TL) Brook trout Arctic char, brown trout, rainbow trout 10 cm 15 cm * No more than two brown trout Exceptions to open season and/or size and bag limits: Little Southwest Miramichi River from Big Rock Pool upstream, including East and West branches, not including lakes or tributaries. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Live release only, beginning July 1 Lower North Branch, Little Southwest Miramichi, including tributaries but excluding lakes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Live release only, beginning May 1 Cains River above Route 123 bridge, including the North Branch, upstream to the junction of Beaver Brook. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Live release only, beginning May 1 Bartholomew River. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Live release only, beginning July 1 26 Non-Sport Fish Open Season: In non-tidal waters, these species may be angled only if a sport fish season is also open on the waters being fished (unless an exception is noted below). Please check the sport fish seasons in this RFA to determine if a season is open. Exceptions: • The season for smelt ends on May 31. • The season for whitefish ends on September 15. Daily bag and possession, length limits Species Daily Quota Minimum Length Maximum Length Burbot 10 10 cm TL 100 cm TL Eel 10 20 cm N/A Gaspereau 20 N/A N/A Shad 5 N/A N/A Smelt 60 N/A N/A Striped bass Seasons and bag limits to be determined – for further details see DFO website: www.glf.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/Gulf/FAM/Recreational-Fisheries White perch 25 10 cm TL 50 cm TL Whitefish 8 10 cm TL 70 cm TL Yellow perch 100 10 cm TL 50 cm TL No bag or length restrictions exist for any other non-sport fish found in this RFA. 27 Southeast Recreational Fishery Area Boundary description: All lakes, rivers, and streams draining into the Gulf of St. Lawrence and Northumberland Strait south of Point Escuminac to the New Brunswick/ Nova Scotia border. n PLEASE NOTE CLOSED SEASON No open angling season exists for the following species: Atlantic salmon Fly Fishing Only Waters River Beginning Fly Fishing Stretch Bouctouche July 15 Bouctouche River, from the highway bridge at Coates Mills upstream to the St. Paul Crossroads bridge Trout Open season Rivers, brooks and streams Lakes, ponds and reservoirs Daily bag and possession limit Total of brook trout, brown trout or rainbow trout Minimum size (TL) Brook trout Brown trout, Rainbow trout April 15 – September 15 May 1 – September 15 5* 10 cm 15 cm * No more than two brown trout Exceptions to open season and/or size and bag limits Starting June 15 to September 15, the following waters are live release only: • Northwest Branch, Cocagne River from the junction with the main stem of the Cocagne River upstream to its source, including all tributaries. • South Branch, St. Nicholas River from the lower most road bridge (grid reference 53505525) upstream to its source, including all tributaries. • Hudson Brook from the junction with the Richibucto River upstream to its source, including all tributaries. • Trout Brook from the junction with the Kouchibouguacis River upstream to its source, including all tributaries. • South Branch, Bouctouche River from the junction with the Bouctouche River upstream to its source, including all tributaries. • Weisner Brook from the junction with the Shediac River upstream to its source, including all tributaries. BROOK TROUT 28 Non-Sport Fish Open season: In non-tidal waters, these species may be angled only if a sport fish season is also open on the waters being fished (unless an exception is noted below). Please check the sport fish seasons in this RFA to determine if a season is open. Exceptions: • The season for smelt ends on May 31. • The season for whitefish ends on September 15. Daily bag and possession, length limits Species Daily Quota Minimum Length Maximum Length Burbot 10 10 cm TL 100 cm TL Eel 10 20 cm N/A Gaspereau 20 N/A N/A Shad 5 N/A N/A Smelt 60 N/A N/A Striped bass Seasons and bag limits to be determined – for further details see DFO website: www.glf.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/Gulf/FAM/Recreational-Fisheries White perch 25 10 cm TL 50 cm TL Whitefish 8 10 cm TL 70 cm TL Yellow perch 100 10 cm TL 50 cm TL No bag or length restrictions exist for any other non-sport fish found in this RFA. CHAIN PICKEREL BULLHEAD BURBOT 29 Inner Bay of Fundy Recreational Fishery Area Boundary description: All lakes, rivers, and streams draining into the Bay of Fundy eastward of the Saint John harbour bridge to the provincial border between New Brunswick and Nova Scotia. n PLEASE NOTE CLOSED SEASON No open angling season exists for the following species: Atlantic salmon Fly Fishing Only Waters Excludes all tributaries unless otherwise noted River Big Salmon Black Beginning Stretch June 15 Big Salmon River from Cranberry Brook upstream to Crow Brook July 15 Black River, Saint John County, from a point 100 metres upstream from the public wharf in the estuary upstream to Ritchie River Upper Salmon July 15 Upper Salmon River (Alma) upstream from the abutment above the mill dam in Alma Landlocked Salmon Open season: Rivers, brooks, streams. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . April 15 – September 30 Lakes, ponds, reservoirs. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . May 1 – September 30 Daily bag and possession limit. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 Minimum size limit. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35 cm (FL) Maximum size limit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Less than 63 cm (FL) Any landlocked salmon equal to or greater than 48 centimetres and less than 63 centimetres fork length requires an Atlantic salmon tag if it is retained. Exceptions to open season and/or bag limits Daily bag limit: Loch Lomond Reservoir and Second Lake Any combination of landlocked salmon or brown trout . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 Smallmouth Bass Open season . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . May 1 – October 15 Daily bag and possession limit May 1 – June 30. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0 July 1 – September 15. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 September 16 – October 15 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0 Minimum size limit. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30 cm (TL) 30 Trout Open season Rivers, brooks and streams Lakes, ponds and reservoirs Daily bag and possession limit Total of arctic char, brook trout, brown trout or rainbow trout Minimum size (TL) Brook Trout Arctic char, brown trout, rainbow trout April 15 – September 15 May 1 – September 15 5* 10 cm 15 cm * No more than two brown trout Exceptions to open season and/or size and bag limits Shepody River and its tributaries upstream from the flood gate at Harvey Bank, except McFadden Lake, Fenton and Alcorn ponds. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . May 15 – September 15 Bag Limit: Shepody River and its tributaries Trout. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 per day, only one of which can be greater than 30 cm (TL) Bag limit: Loch Lomond Reservoir and Second Lake Any combination of landlocked salmon or brown trout . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 Minimum size limit: Loch Lomond Reservoir and Second Lake Brown trout. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35 cm (TL) Non-Sport Fish Open Season: In non-tidal waters, these species may be angled only if a sport fish season is also open on the waters being fished (unless an exception is noted below). Please check the sport fish seasons in this RFA to determine if a season is open. Exceptions: • The season for smelt ends on May 31. • The season for whitefish ends on September 15 • In tidal waters the season for striped bass is open year round. Daily bag and possession, length limits Species Daily Quota Minimum Length Maximum Length Burbot 10 10 cm TL 100 cm TL Eel 10 20 cm N/A Gaspereau 20 N/A N/A Pickerel 10 10 cm TL 100 cm TL Shad 5 N/A N/A Smelt 60 N/A N/A Striped bass 1 68 cm TL 150 cm TL White perch 25 10 cm TL 50 cm TL Whitefish 8 10 cm TL 70 cm TL Yellow perch 100 10 cm TL 50 cm TL 31 Sturgeon Open season . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . January 1 – May 31, July 1 – December 31 Daily bag and possession limit. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No limit Minimum size limit. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 120 cm (TL) No bag or length restrictions exist for any other non-sport fish found in this RFA. WHITE PERCH SUNFISH YELLOW PERCH 32 Lower Saint John Recreational Fishery Area Boundary description: All lakes, rivers, and streams of the Saint John River drainage and tributaries downstream from the Covered Bridge at Hartland to the Saint John harbour bridge. n PLEASE NOTE CLOSED SEASON No open angling season exists for the following species: Atlantic salmon Fly Fishing Only Waters Excludes all tributaries unless otherwise noted River Beginning Stretch Hammond July 15 Hammond River from the covered bridge in French Village upstream to McGonagle Brook Kennebecasis July 1 Kennebecasis River upstream from the bridge on the Bloomfield Station Road to the bridge at Goshen Keswick July 1 Keswick River from the Route 105 bridge upstream to the CN Railway Bridge at Barton Nashwaak July 1 Nashwaak River upstream from the highway bridge at Penniac to the East Branch, Nashwaak River Waters Closed to Angling Water Stretch Hammond River From CN Railway bridge in Nauwigewauk upstream to the covered bridge in French Village Nashwaak River Nashwaak River, from a point 150 metres downstream from Porters Brook upstream to a point 30 metres above Porters Brook Nashwaak River Nashwaak River, Big Basin Pool (grid reference 4962899) Nashwaak River Nashwaak River, within 15 metres of the junction of (Youngs Brook /McKenzie Brook) at the Route 107 bridge at Nashwaak Bridge Palmer Brook Palmer Brook, from the Hammond River upstream 200 metres Saint John River Saint John River, from the highway bridge at Grafton to the railway bridge at Upper Woodstock Saint John River Saint John River, downstream from the Mactaquac Dam to a line drawn across the river from the mouth of Springhill Brook (Hartt Island Campground) to the western Fredericton city limit just past the junction of Clements Drive and Carlisle Road on the north side of the river Closed Prior to May 1 After June 15 After June 15 After June 15 After June 30 After June 30 Year round Landlocked Salmon Open season: Rivers, brooks and streams . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . April 15 – September 30 Lakes, ponds and reservoirs. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . May 1 – September 30 Daily bag and possession limit. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 Minimum size limit. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35 cm (FL) Maximum size limit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Less than 63 cm (FL) Any landlocked salmon equal to or greater than 48 centimetres and less than 63 centimetres fork length requires an Atlantic salmon tag if it is retained. 33 Smallmouth Bass Open season . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . May 1 – October 15 Daily bag and possession limit May 1 – June 30. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0 July 1 – September 15. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 September 16 – October 15 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0 Minimum size limit. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30 cm (TL) Exceptions to open season and/or size and bag limits: • The Meduxnekeag River and all tributaries (including the North Branch, Meduxnekeag River) from the railway bridge (grid reference 064127, Woodstock Map 21 J/4) located approximately one kilometer above the confluence with Marven Brook, upstream to the international border with the State of Maine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Closes to bass angling September 15 • Tidal portion of the Saint John River, including tidal portion of all tributaries, from Crock’s Point downstream to the Saint John Harbour Bridge, excluding the closed section from the Mactaquac Dam to a line drawn across the river from the mouth of Springhill Brook (Hartt Island Campground) to the western Fredericton city limit just past the junction of Clements Drive and Carlisle Road on the north side of the river. . . . . . . . Closes to bass angling November 30 Daily bag and possession limit, September 16 – November 30. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0 • Saint John River (Mactaquac Headpond) from the dam upstream to the highway bridge at Grafton excluding the Meduxnekeag River. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Closes to bass angling November 30 Daily bag and possession limit, September 16 – November 30. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0 Trout Open season Rivers, brooks and streams Lakes, ponds and reservoirs Daily bag and possession limit Total of brook trout, brown trout, lake trout or rainbow trout Minimum size (TL) Brook trout Lake trout Brown trout, rainbow trout April 15 – September 15 May 1 – September 15 5* 10 cm 45 cm 15 cm * No more than two lake trout and/or two brown trout Exceptions to open season and/or size and bag limits: Live release only waters: Kennebecasis River from the road bridge at McCully Station (grid reference 11737051) upstream to the junction of Ketchums Brook, Albert County. Artificial lures and flies only . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . April 15 – June 30 Fly fishing only . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . July 1 – September 15 Palmer Brook from the Hammond River upstream to the Stock Farm Road (excluding the closed section beginning July 1). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . April 15 – September 15 34 Meduxnekeag River Retention Exceptions Mouth to the junction of North and South Branches: Brook trout bag limit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-minimum length 25 cm (TL) Brown trout bag Limit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-minimum length 35 cm (TL) North and South Branches . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . live release only Meduxnekeag River Gear Restrictions From the old bridge abutments located 160 meters upstream of the bridge crossing in Belleville to the junction of the North and South Branches. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Artificial lures and flies only North and South Branches. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Fly fishing only Non-Sport Fish Open Season: In non-tidal waters, these species may be angled only if a sport fish season is also open on the waters being fished (unless an exception is noted below). Please check the sport fish seasons in this RFA to determine if a season is open. Exceptions: • • • • The season for smelt ends on May 31. The season for whitefish ends on September 15. The season for striped bass ends on October 15 in inland waters. The season for striped bass is open year-round in tidal waters. Daily bag and possession, length limits Species Daily Quota Minimum Length Maximum Length Burbot 10 10 cm TL 100 cm TL Eel 10 20 cm N/A Gaspereau 20 N/A N/A Muskellunge 10 10 cm TL 170 cm TL Pickerel 10 10 cm TL 100 cm TL Shad 5 N/A N/A Smelt 60 N/A N/A Striped bass 1 68 cm TL 150 cm TL White perch 25 10 cm TL 50 cm TL Whitefish 8 10 cm TL 70 cm TL Yellow perch 100 10 cm TL 50 cm TL Sturgeon Open season . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . January 1 – May 31, July 1 – December 31 Daily bag and possession limit. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No limit Minimum size limit. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 120 cm (TL) No bag or length restrictions exist for any other non-sport fish found in this RFA. 35 Southwest Recreational Fishery Area Boundary description: All lakes, rivers, and streams draining into the Bay of Fundy westward from the Saint John harbour bridge to the international border between the Province of New Brunswick and the State of Maine. n PLEASE NOTE CLOSED SEASON No open angling season exists for the following species: Atlantic salmon Fly Fishing Only Waters Excludes all tributaries unless otherwise noted River St. Croix Beginning Stretch April 15 St. Croix River from the old Union Mills Bridge remnants upstream to the power house dam at Milltown. Waters Closed to Angling Water Stretch Closed St. Croix River From the N.B. Electric Power Corp. generating station (power dam) at Milltown, New Year round Brunswick, upstream to the first train trestle crossing the St. Croix River between Canada and the United States, a distance of approximately 500 metres Landlocked Salmon Open Season Daily bag and possession limit Minimum size limit (FL) Maximum size limit (FL) Non-boundary waters Rivers: April 15 – September 30 Lakes: May 1 – September 30 2 35 cm Less than 63 cm Boundary waters between N.B. and Maine April 15 – September 30 2 35 cm Less than 63 cm Any landlocked salmon equal to or greater than 48 centimetres and less than 63 centimetres fork length requires an Atlantic salmon tag if it is retained. Exceptions to open season and/or size and bag limits Grand Manan Island, all waters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . April 15 – September 15 SMALLMOUTH BASS 36 Smallmouth Bass Open Season Daily bag and possession limit Minimum size limit (TL) Non-boundary waters Boundary waters between N.B. and Maine May 1 – October 15 April 15 – September 30 May 1 – June 30 . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0 April 15 – June 30. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 July 1 – September 15 . . . . . . . . 2 July 1 – September 30. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 September 16 – October 15. . . . 0 30 cm 25 cm Exceptions to open season and/or size and bag limits • St. Croix River, from Grand Falls, downstream to the Milltown Bridge. . . . . . . . . . . . Live release October 1 – October 31 Unbaited lures or flies only . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . October 1 – October 31 • Diggity Stream, First Lake, Palfrey Lake and Spednic Lake. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Live release only • Grand Manan Island open season. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . April 15 – October 15 Bag and possession limit April 15 – 30. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0 • Grand Falls Flowage, daily bag and possession limit. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0 Trout Non-boundary waters Open season Rivers, brooks and streams Lakes, ponds and reservoirs Daily bag and possession limit Total of: brook trout, brown trout, lake trout or rainbow trout Minimum size limit (TL) Brook trout Lake trout Brown trout, rainbow trout Boundary waters between N.B. and Maine April 15 – September 15 April 15 – September 30 May 1 – September 15 April 15 – September 30 5* 5* 10 cm 45 cm 15 cm 15 cm 45 cm 15 cm * No more than 2 lake trout and/or 2 brown trout. Exceptions to open season and/or size and bag limits: Grand Manan Island, all waters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . April 15 – September 15 East Musquash Reservoir – minimum size limit, brown trout. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35 cm (TL) East Grand Lake – daily bag limit for lake trout. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 LAKE TROUT 37 Non-Sport Fish Non-Boundary Waters Open Season: In non-tidal waters, these species may be angled only if a sport fish season is also open on the waters being fished (unless an exception is noted below). Please check the sport fish seasons in this RFA to determine if a season is open. Exceptions: • The season for smelt ends on May 31. • The season for whitefish ends on September 15 in non-boundary waters. • Skiff Lake, including tributaries: closed to smelt fishing. • East Grand Lake, including tributaries: closed to dip netting for smelt. • Lake Utopia, including tributaries: closed to smelt fishing. Daily bag and possession, length limits Species Daily Quota Burbot 10 Eel 10 Gaspereau 20 Pickerel 10 Shad 5 Smelt 60 Striped bass 1 White perch 25 Whitefish 8 Yellow perch 100 Minimum Length 10 cm TL 20 cm N/A 10 cm TL N/A N/A 68 cm TL 10 cm TL 10 cm TL 10 cm TL Maximum Length 100 cm TL N/A N/A 100 cm TL N/A N/A 150 cm TL 50 cm TL 70 cm TL 50 cm TL Sturgeon Open season . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . January 1 – May 31 and July 1 – December 31 Daily bag and possession limit. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No limit Minimum size limit. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 120 cm (TL) Boundary Waters with Maine Open Season: The season for all non-sport fish ends on September 30 on boundary waters. Daily bag and possession, length limits Species Daily Quota Smelt 200 White Perch 25 Whitefish 8 Minimum Length N/A 10 cm (TL) N/A No bag or length restrictions exist for any other non-sport fish found in this RFA. 38 Maximum Length N/A N/A N/A Upper Saint John Recreational Fishery Area Boundary description: All lakes, rivers, and streams of the Saint John River drainage, upstream from the Covered Bridge at Hartland. n PLEASE NOTE CLOSED SEASON No open angling season exists for the following species: Atlantic salmon and Striped bass Fly Fishing Only Waters Excludes all tributaries unless otherwise noted River Beginning Stretch Aroostook July 1 Aroostook River from the railway bridge upstream to the Maine-N.B. border Little Tobique July 1 Little Tobique River (entire river) upstream to Nictau Lake Mamozekel July 1 Mamozekel River (entire river) Right Hand July 1 Right Hand Branch Tobique River [Campbell River] (entire river) Branch Tobique Saint John July 1 Saint John River from the Hartland covered bridge upstream to a point 0.8 kilometres downstream from the Beechwood dam, including the following tributaries: • Stickney Brook from its junction with the Saint John River upstream to the highway bridge on Route 105 Saint John Salmon July 1 July 1 Serpentine July 1 • Whitemarsh Creek, from its junction with the Saint John River upstream to the Route 130 bridge Saint John River from the Brooks Bridge at Limestone to the dam at Grand Falls. Salmon River, Victoria County, from the junction of the Saint John River upstream to the junction with Sutherland Brook Serpentine River from its junction with the Right Hand Branch, Tobique River upstream to the mouth of Salmon Hole Brook Waters Closed to Angling Water Stretch Becaguimec Becaguimec Stream, upstream to Route 105 bridge Stream Big Presque Isle Big Presque Isle, upstream to Route 103 bridge Little Tobique Little Tobique, from its junction with the Tobique River upstream to the mouth of Sisson Branch Monquart Stream Monquart Stream, upstream to Route 105 bridge Muniac Stream Muniac Stream, from its confluence with the Saint John River upstream to a line drawn across the river: 46°37’16.15”N 67°41’58.22”W to 46°37’15.22”N 67°41’56.50”W Right Hand Branch Right Hand Branch Tobique River from Mamozekel River upstream to the mouth Tobique River of Tom Pole Brook Saint John River Saint John River, from Beechwood Dam downstream 0.8 kilometres Saint John River Saint John River, from 50 metres downstream of the Upper Guisiguit Brook to 50 metres upstream of the Upper Guisiguit Brook Closed After June 30 After June 30 After June 30 After June 30 After June 30 After May 31 Year round After June 30 39 Water Saint John River Saint John River Saint John River Saint John River Saint John River Shikatehawk Stream Tobique River Tobique River Tributaries to Nictau Lake Stretch Saint John River, from a straight line drawn across the river 800 meters below the mouth of Monquart Stream to a line drawn straight across the river 50 meters above the mouth of Monquart Stream (Community of Bath: N 46° 30. 811 , W 067° 36.101). Saint John River, from a straight line drawn across the river 500 meters below the mouth of Shikatehawk Stream to a line drawn straight across the river 50 meters above the mouth of Shikatehawk Stream (Community of Bristol: N 46° 28. 823 , W 067° 34). Saint John River, from a straight line drawn across the river 500 meters below the mouth of Big Presque Isle Stream to a line drawn straight across the river 50 meters above the mouth of Big Presque Isle Stream (N 46° 23. 961 , W 067° 36.405). Saint John River, from a straight line across the river 100m downstream of the mouth of Muniac Stream to a straight line drawn across the river 100m upstream of the mouth of Muniac Stream (Muniac Stream: 46° 37’14.03”N 67° 42’12.10”W) Saint John River, from the Covered Bridge at Hartland to a line drawn straight across the river 50 meters above the mouth of Becaguimac Stream (Community of Hartland N 46° 18.139 , W 067° 31. 753) Shikatehawk Stream, upstream to Route 105 bridge Closed After June 30 After June 30 After June 30 After June 30 After June 30 After June 30 Tobique River, from a line drawn across the river 200 m downstream of Trout After June 30 Brook to a line drawn across the Right Hand Branch of the Tobique River at the confluence of the Mamozekel River. After June 30 Tobique River, from a line drawn across the river 1.5 km downstream of the Tobique River Power Dam to a line drawn across the river 0.5 km upstream of the Tobique River Power Dam. (N 46° 46.08 , W 67° 42.26 to N 46° 46.03 , W 67° 41.99 upstream to N 46° 47.09 , W 67° 41.55 to N 46° 47.06 , W 67° 41.43) All brooks flowing into Nictau Lake Year round Boundary Waters with Quebec Anglers fishing Quebec portions of boundary waters require a Quebec licence and need to follow Quebec’s regulations. Landlocked Salmon Open season Daily bag and possession limit Minimum size limit (FL) Maximum size limit (FL) Non-boundary waters May 15 – September 30 2 35 cm Less than 63 cm Boundary waters between N.B. and Maine April 15 – September 30 2 35 cm Less than 63 cm Any landlocked salmon equal to or greater than 48 centimetres and less than 63 centimetres fork length requires an Atlantic salmon tag if it is retained. Exceptions to open season and/or size and bag limits: Nictau Lake: Bag limit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 Baker Lake: Open season. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . May 15 – September 15 Green River, Madawaska County: Minimum size limit. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50 cm (FL) Maximum size limit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Less than 63 cm (FL) 40 Smallmouth Bass Open season Daily bag and possession limit Minimum size limit (TL) Non-boundary waters May 15 – October 15 May 15 – June 30. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0 July 1 – September 15. . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 September 16 – October 15 . . . . . . . . 0 30 cm Boundary waters between N.B. and Maine April 15 – September 30 April 15 – June 30. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 July 1 – September 30. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 25 cm Exceptions to open season: Tobique Headpond. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . May 1 – October 15 Beechwood Headpond. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . May 1 – October 15 Trout Open Season Non-boundary waters Boundary waters between N.B. and Maine Rivers, brooks and streams May 1 – September 15 April 15 – September 30 Lakes, ponds and reservoirs May 15 – September 15 April 15 – September 30 Daily Bag and Possession Limit Rivers, brooks, Lakes, ponds and streams and reservoirs Total of: brook trout, brown 10* trout, lake trout or rainbow trout 5* 5* Minimum size limit (TL) Brook trout 10 cm 10 cm 15 cm Lake trout 45 cm 45 cm 45 cm Brown trout, rainbow trout 15 cm 15 cm 15 cm * No more than 2 lake trout and/or 2 brown trout. Exceptions to open season or size and bag limits All Rivers and Streams (not lakes) upstream from the falls at Grand Falls, excluding Boundary Waters: Open Season . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . May 1 – September 30 First Green Lake; Unique Lake: Open Season . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . May 15 – August 31 Roulston Lake: Open Season. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . June 15 – August 31 Brook trout daily bag and possession limit. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 Nictau Lake, Restigouche County: Brook trout minimum length limit. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25 cm (TL) Brook trout daily bag limit. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 41 Non-Sport Fish Non-Boundary Waters Open Season: In non-tidal waters, these species may be angled only if a sport fish season is also open on the waters being fished (unless an exception is noted below). Please check the sport fish seasons in this RFA to determine if a season is open. Exception:• The season for whitefish ends on September 15 in non-boundary waters. • The season for smelt ends on May 31 Daily bag and possession, length limits Species Daily Quota Burbot 10 Eel 10 Gaspereau 20 Muskellunge 10 Pickerel 10 Shad 5 Smelt 60 White perch 25 Whitefish 8 Yellow perch 100 Minimum Length 10 cm TL 20 cm N/A 10 cm TL 10 cm TL N/A N/A 10 cm TL 10 cm TL 10 cm TL Maximum Length 100 cm TL N/A N/A 170 cm TL 100 cm TL N/A N/A 50 cm TL 70 cm TL 50 cm TL Boundary Waters with Maine Open Season: The season for all non-sport fish ends on September 30 on boundary waters. Daily bag and possession, length limits Species Daily Quota Smelt 200 White Perch 25 Whitefish 8 Minimum Length N/A 10 cm (TL) N/A No bag or length restrictions exist for any other non-sport fish found in this RFA. 42 Maximum Length N/A N/A N/A Additional Information Questions about regulations? Contact the Department of Natural Resources at 506-453-3826 or your nearest district office: Bathurst506-547-2080 Campbellton506-789-2336 Canterbury506-279-6005 Chipman506-339-7019 Dieppe506-856-2344 Doaktown506-365-2001 Edmundston506-735-2040 Florenceville506-392-5105 Fredericton506-453-2345 Hampton506-832-6055 Miramichi506-627-4050 Plaster Rock 506-356-6030 Richibucto506-523-7600 St. George 506-755-4040 Saint-Quentin506-235-6040 Sussex506-432-2008 Tracadie-Sheila506-394-3636 Welsford506-486-6000 Marine Species and Shellfish Questions? Angling for marine species and recreational harvesting of shellfish are regulated by the federal Department of Fisheries and Oceans. For information on seasons, zones, bag limits, closures and other regulations, contact DFO at: • Maritimes Region (RFAs 5, 6, 7, 8) Chief, Regulations: 902-426-2473 • Gulf Region (RFAs 1, 2, 3, 4) Regulations office: 506-851-7797 or 506-851-7798 Mercury Contamination of Freshwater Fish Eating fish caught in New Brunswick’s lakes or rivers could increase the level of mercury in your body. The following guidelines apply to the consumption of brook trout, lake trout, landlocked salmon, smallmouth bass, perch, fresh water cusk (burbot), pickerel, striped bass and catfish, but exclude Atlantic salmon: 1. Women of child-bearing age and children under eight years of age should limit consumption of brook trout measuring less than 29 centimetres (12 inches) to one meal per month. Avoid consumption of all other species, including brook trout measuring 29 centimetres or more. Pregnant women should avoid consumption of all freshwater fish noted in this advisory. 2. For children eight years of age and older, male adults and women past childbearing age, there is no restriction on consuming brook trout under 29 centimetres. Consumption of brook trout measuring 29 centimetres and more should be limited to one meal per week. Consumption of all other New Brunswick freshwater fish listed above should be limited to one meal every two weeks. An occasional meal which exceeds the guidelines should have no adverse health effects. This advisory applies only to wild fish caught in the province’s lakes and rivers. Fish from commercial trout ponds and aquaculture operations are considered safe to eat. For information on freshwater species: Public Health Services – New Brunswick Department of Health, 506-453-2323 For information on commercial fish: Canadian Food Inspection Agency (New Brunswick), 506-452-4963 43 Angling Ethics and Courtesy Ethical anglers are those who appreciate New Brunswick’s natural culture and its history. They protect our natural resources. They fish in a responsible manner. They respect the rights of others and they handle their catch in a humane manner. Respect our fish as a valuable resource: • Do not kill fish that you do not intend to use • Learn proper handling techniques to ensure released fish survive • If you have decided to keep a fish, kill it quickly. • Treat fish in a humane manner, whether they are retained, released or used as bait. • Ensure quality angling for future generations. Limit your catch, rather than catching your limit. Respect the environment and our aquatic habitat: • Do not litter. If you brought it in, take it out. Leave the area cleaner than you found it. Respect other users and their property: • Fishing should be an enjoyable experience for all. Don’t spoil it for others. • Cooperate with all resource users, including other anglers, swimmers and boaters. • Respect private property and private water. Salmon Angling Courtesy • Start upstream of others: Begin fishing upstream of anglers that are already fishing a pool or run. • Don’t crowd other anglers: Leave some space between you and the angler downstream so you don’t affect their ability to cast and fish through the pool. • Fish through the pool: Anglers should move downstream at a reasonable pace while fishing a pool or run to allow upstream or waiting anglers an opportunity to fish the water (applies for shore and boat anglers alike). • Slow your boat: Reduce the wake from your boat by slowing down and taking a wide berth when passing anglers fishing from shore or in another boat. • Don’t anchor too close to wading anglers: Allow anglers that are fishing a pool from shore enough casting distance when arriving to fish a pool from a boat. • Always yield to an angler who has a fish on the line: The angler below and above should reel in line and be prepared to give the angler fighting the fish room to play and land his/her catch. • Give others a chance after you have landed a fish: An angler who lands a salmon or grilse should rotate to the beginning if they wish to continue fishing a pool or run. An angler who loses a fish may return to his/her place in line. 44 Set young salmon free It’s the law! If you catch a salmon parr or smolt, gently remove the hook and release it back in the water. Study these pictures and note the differences between young Atlantic salmon and brook trout: Salmon Parr • Black spots on back and sides • Forked tail • No markings on fins or tail Salmon Smolt • Silvery fish • Only a shadow of vertical side bars • Black spots on upper sides and cheeks • Dark forked tail Brook Trout • Light coloured spots on its sides • Red spots with light coloured edge • Marbled pattern (dark irregular lines) on upper body and back • Dorsal fin has dark bars and patches • Lower fins have a white edge • Tail is square or very slightly concave DFO Atlantic Salmon and Striped Bass Tagging Programs Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) with many partners regularly tag fish in experiments to determine fish behaviour, movements, growth and fishing catch rates. The recovery of tagged fish and the success of these tagging campaigns rely on the collaboration of recreational anglers and the fishing industry. Atlantic Salmon If you catch an Atlantic salmon with a DFO tag, please remove the tag and send it, along with the date and location of capture, to the address on the back of the tag: Science Branch, Department of Fisheries and Oceans, PO 5030, Moncton NB E1C 9B6. You can also send the information and a photo of the tag by email to Fishtag@dfo-mpo.gc.ca. Be sure to include your name, address and phone number/email for contact purposes and to receive information on your fish. Anglers who return tags will have their names entered in the North Atlantic Salmon Conservation Organization (NASCO) tag return incentive draw. Each year, a Grand Prize of US$2,500 is awarded as well as a US$1,500 prize for the North American area. Striped Bass If you catch a Striped Bass with a DFO tag, please remove the tag and send it, along with the date and location of capture, to the address on the back of the tag: Science Branch, Department of Fisheries and Oceans, PO 5030, Moncton NB E1C 9B6. You can also send the information and a photo of the tag by email to Fishtag@dfo-mpo.gc.ca. Be sure to include your name, address and phone number/email for contact purposes. 45 The Atlantic Salmon Conservation Foundation CONSERVATION HIGHLIGHTS New Brunswick The ASCF is a non-profit organization established through a one-time grant of $30 million from the Government of Canada. Income generated by this trust fund supports projects and activities contributing to conservation of wild Atlantic salmon and salmon habitat. Funds raised in partnership with Alcool NB Liquor (ANBL) through the Protect our Rivers program also provide significant support for New Brunswick projects. The Foundation helps achieve healthy and sustainable wild Atlantic salmon stocks in Atlantic Canada and Quebec through active working partnerships among volunteer conservation groups, Aboriginal organizations, governments, and others. Visit our website: www.salmonconservation.ca Photo: Petitcodiac Watershed Alliance. New Brunswick projects funded by the ASCF and ANBL in 2014 were led by: Association of Grande and Petite Rivière Tracadie Watersheds: Atlantic Salmon Federation: Groupe des Bassins Versants de la Baie des Chaleurs: Restigouche River Watershed Management Council: Eastern Charlotte Waterways Inc: Eel River Bar First Nation: Fort Folly First Nation: Friends of the Kouchibouguacis: $11,300 $15,000 $17,500 $30,500 $5,000 $15,000 $20,000 $15,000 Kennebecasis Watershed Restoration Committee: $12,500 Meduxnekeag River Association Inc: $10,000 Miramichi River Environmental Assessment Committee: $15,000 Miramichi Salmon Association Inc: $10,000 Nepisiguit Salmon Association: $12,000 Partnership for the Integrated Management of Caraquet Bay Watershed: $10,000 Petitcodiac Watershed Alliance: $20,000 Southeastern Anglers Association: $7,500 ASCF • Conservation Highlights • New Brunswick 46 New Brunswick Salmon Council Inc. (a regional council of the Atlantic Salmon Federation) and its local affiliates encourage everyone to practise conservation in all your 2015 angling activities. Here are a few suggestions on how you can individually contribute to the health and vitality of New Brunswick’s prized wild Atlantic salmon stocks: • Carefully read and be aware of all regulations that apply to the waters you will be angling. • Remember to pinch your barbs— the hook is much easier to remove, causing less injury to the fish and allowing quicker live release. • Land your fish swiftly. (A good rule of thumb is 1-minute per pound for Atlantic salmon.) • Gently handle your catch. If necessary, for a short time period before releasing it, keep the fish in the water facing upstream so that a flow of water passes over its gills. • Report signs of poaching activities (1-800-222-TIPS) or environmental concerns such as pollution including bank erosion, unnaturally silty water and sedimentation in streams or excessive stream bank vegetation removal. For environmental concerns call 506-453-2690 or 1-800-565-1633 (after hours or emergencies) • Finally, to help NB rivers meet conservation targets, and to help with international negotiations aimed at conserving and increasing the stocks returning to our rivers, we encourage the live release of all salmon and grilse. Get involved… Be part of the solution! Join one of our many affiliates shown below or start your own group on “your” river. We can help! www.nbsalmoncouncil.com NBSC Executive President Vice President Secretary Treasurer Past President Affiliate Organizations Atlantic Salmon for Northern Maine Big Salmon River Angling Association Canaan River Fish & Game Association Club de chasse et pêche de Saint-Leonard Club loisir de la rivière Caraquet Inc Dieppe Fly-Tying Club Fort Folly Habitat Recovery Fredericton Fish and Game Association Hammond River Angling Association Maliseet Nation Conservation Council Management of Salmon on the Restigouche and Tributaries (MSRT/GSRT) Meduxnekeag River Association Miramichi Headwaters Salmon Federation Miramichi Salmon Association Moncton Fish and Game Association Nashwaak Watershed Association NB Professional Guides and Outfitters Association Nepisiguit Salmon Association New Brunswick Wildlife Federation Northumberland Salmon Protection Assoc Oromocto Watershed Association Petitcodiac Sportsman’s Club Restigouche River Watershed Management Council Sackville Rod and Gun Club Salmon River Association Southeastern Anglers Association St. John River Basin Salmon Recovery Inc. Sussex Fish and Game Association Tobique Salmon Protective Association Contact Debbie Norton Peter Cronin James Marriner Paul Elson John Bagnall Telephone 506-622-8834 506-444-9012 506-387-7733 506-634-1679 506-457-1042 Email adventures@upperoxbow.com pjcronin18@gmail.com jmmarriner@rogers.com pelson@nbnet.nb.ca john.bagnall@amec.com James Barresi Paul P. Elson Reace Black Ed Sherrard Yvon Cormier Jacques Heroux Tim Robinson Dave Sawler Sean Doyle Patricia Saulis 207-768-0699 506-634-1679 506-534-2565 506-382-7430 506-764-3067 506-855-7298 506-379-3401 506-260-0488 506-832-1230 506-472-8803 jabarresi@gwi.net pelson@nbnet.nb.ca rblack77@nb.sympatico.ca michaudr@nbnet.nb.ca ycormier@hotmail.com jacques@salmosalar.info timr@nb.sympatico.ca dsawler@exitadvantage.ca sean.doyle@hraa.ca or info@hraa.ca psaulis2@yahoo.ca Donald Sullivan 506-284-4554 kedgwicksalmonclub@hotmail.com Stephen Wilson Judy Lutes Mark Hambrook Ron Cybulski Bill Gammon Dale Clark Robert Legere Charlie Leblanc Debbie Norton Robin Hanson Gerald Tingley David LeBlanc Sean Gormley Jason Soucy Don Alexander John Bagnall Don Moffett Robert O’Donnell 506-325-1100 506-246-1805 506-622-4000 506-854-9804 506-459-8560 506-276-3274 506-548-8067 506-386-3144 506-622-8834 506-357-8888 506-756-8253 506-759-7300 506-871-0081 506-475-1092 506-576-8247 506-457-1042 506-433-2147 506-356-7251 stepwil@nbnet.nb.ca heyjude@nbnet.nb.ca mark@miramichisalmon.ca rcyed@aol.com or monctonfishgame@gmail.com bgammon@graybarcanada.com daleclar@xplornet.ca rlegere@nbnet.nb.ca cleblan618@rogers.com adventures@upperoxbow.com pplaza@nbnet.nb.ca gmtingley@yahoo.com restigouche@globetrotter.net info@sackvillerodandgun.ca jason.soucy@inspection.gc.ca dkalex@xplornet.ca john.bagnall@amec.com moffetts@nb.aibn.com mer_od@msn.com 47 IF ATLANTIC SALMON ARE TO BE SAVED, THE TIME IS NOW • In New Brunswick, not a single assessed salmon river met minimum conservation limits this past year. • 2014 returns to North America were among the lowest on record. • Anglers need to play their own important role in saving salmon. Practice Live Release VIDEO: Brush up your live release skills by watching ASF’s video of techniques on the website asf.ca WATCH FOR ASF’S LIVE RELEASE PHOTO CONTEST IN 2015 Photos above were first prize (left), and 1st runner-up (right) in ASF’s Autumn 2014 contest. LEARN MORE ABOUT WILD ATLANTIC SALMON The quarterly Atlantic Salmon Journal is a great way to do this. Check out the issues at www.asf.ca ATLANTIC SALMON FEDERATION 48 New Brunswick Wildlife Trust Fund List of projects approved in 2014 Restigouche River Watershed Management Council Inc. Atlantic Salmon Survey 2014 – Restigouche River System ...............................................................$10,000. Partenariat pour la gestion intégrée du bassin versant de la baie de Caraquet Serbys Brook Ecological Restoration........................$5,000. Comité de Gestion Environnementale de la Rivière Pokemouche Fish Habitat Restoration of Fidèle’s Brook ................$7,000. Association des Bassins Versants de la Grande et Petite Rivière Tracadie Ecological Improvement of the Fish Habitat in the Thomas Brook – Phase I ....................................................$9,000. Comité Sauvons Nos Rivières Neguac Inc. Salmonid Habitat Restoration in the Burnt Church North River (Phase II)...........................................................$10,000. Miramichi Watershed Management Committee Inc. Miramichi Salmon and Trout Restoration – Stocking 2014 .................................................................$14,000. Miramichi Watershed Management Committee Miramichi Lake Smallmouth Bass Containment and Eradication 2014 ................................................$12,000. Miramichi Salmon Association Inc. Juvenile Salmon Assessment on the Miramichi River 2014 .................................................................$14,000. Miramichi Salmon Association Inc. Create Cold-Water Refuge Pool at Doak Brook..........$4,000. Miramichi Salmon Association Inc. Smolt Assessments on the Miramichi Watershed 2014 ...................................................................$9,500. Northumberland Salmon Protection Association Atlantic Salmon Smolt Production from the Miramichi River – Sevogle River Rotary Screw Trap .............................$9,000. White Rapid Brook & Other Stream Enhancement Association Stream Preservation.............................................$12,000. Southeastern Anglers Association Connect and Improve Fish Habitat Restored Sites that were Established in the Mill Creek and Black River 15 Years Ago......................................................................$7,000. Southeastern Anglers Association Increasing Knowledge on Striped Bass Population in the Bouctouche and Cocagne Rivers ............................$7,500. Shediac Bay Watershed Association Salmonid Enhancement and Public Engagement Program ...............................................................$8,500. Vision H20 (Groupe du bassin versant de la région de Cap-Pelé) Assessment of the Quality of Habitats and Aquatic Species of the Kouchibouguac River .......................................$9,000. ACAP Saint John Marsh Creek Fish Passage 2014 ............................$7,000. Oromocto Watershed Association Inc. Oromocto Watershed Electrofishing Assessment .......$6,000. Fort Folly First Nation Preserving Endangered Inner Bay of Fundy Atlantic Salmon on the Big Salmon River ......................................$18,000. Hammond River Angling Association Hammond River Atlantic Salmon Smolt Assessment ..........................................................$7,000. NB Wildlife Trust Fund PO Box 30030 Fredericton, NB Canada E3B 0H8 Hammond River Angling Association Salmon Population Assessment ..............................$5,000. Kennebecasis Watershed Restoration Committee Improving Habitat Connectivity on Ward’s Creek .....$20,000. Canaan River Fish & Game Association Canaan River Fish & Game Association Electrofishing Study ...................................................................$4,000. Huntsman Marine Science Centre Rockweed Habitat Utilization by Juvenile Lobsters in Charlotte County, NB and their Vulnerability to Rockweed Harvesting ............................................................$4,000. Atlantic Salmon Federation Outer Bay of Fundy Atlantic Salmon Monitoring Program ...............................................................$2,000. Atlantic Salmon Federation Assessing Critical Gaspereau Restoration to the St. Croix Watershed ............................................................$9,000. Miramichi Headwaters Salmon Federation Inc. Satellite Rearing Facility Operation & Renovation Upgrade .............................................................$15,000. Société d’aménagement de la rivière Madawaska et du lac Témiscouata Prevention and Monitoring of Invasive Species in the Madawaska Region ...............................................$8,500. Société d’aménagement de la rivière Madawaska et du lac Témiscouata Improving Brook Trout Habitat in the Madawaska River Watershed ............................................................$7,000. Comité Sauvons nos Rivières Neguac Inc. Ecological Restoration of Salmonid Habitat of Indian Brook (Phase II).............................................................$5,000. The Southeastern Anglers Association Inc. Connect and Improve Fish Habitat Restored Sites that were Established in Murray Brook and the Northwest Branch of the Cocagne River more than 14 Years ago...................$7,000. Dr. Alyre Chiasson, Université de Moncton Hayward and Holmes Brook 20 Years later, a Mid-term Evaluation of the Effectiveness of Riparian Zones in Protecting Fish and Water Quality...........................................$5,000. Kennebecasis Watershed Restoration Committee Living Fences: Riparian Habitat and Protection .........$7,500. Canaan River Fish & Game Association Canaan River Watershed Electrofishing Study and Salmonid Habitat Assessment ...............................................$5,000. Oromocto Watershed Association Inc. Oromocto River Watershed Electrofhising Study and Salmonid Habitat Assessment ...............................................$3,500. Oromocto Watershed Association Restoration of Atlantic Salmon Habitat in Pete Brook, NB .......................................................................$7,500. Allen Curry, NB Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit, CRI, UNB Distribution and Abundance of the Redbreast Sunfish, (Lepomis auritus), in NB .....................................$4,000. Tobique Salmon Protective Association Inc. Tobique and Saint John River Wild Salmon Stabilization and Recovery ..............................................................$6,000. TOTAL FOR THE FISHERIES RELATED PROJECTS:..........................................$310,500 Tel: 506.453.6655 Fax: 506.462.5054 e-mail: wildcoun@nbnet.nb.ca Web Site: www.nbwtf.ca 49 CROWN R ESE RVE WATE R S General Information • The following persons may apply for or obtain a Crown Reserve angling licence: –– persons who reside in the province year round, and –– current members of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police or Canadian Forces who were born in New Brunswick but who are stationed outside of the province. • Crown Reserve anglers require a DNR Outdoors Card number (or previously issued DNR client number) to apply for or book Crown Reserve angling opportunities. If you do not already have your DNR Outdoors Card number or a DNR client number, you can obtain one by registering online at www.gnb.ca/naturalresources, a participating vendor, or SNB centre. • There are three types of Crown Reserve Waters: Regular, Daily and Live Release. • Crown Reserve Waters are not open to fishing before or after the Crown Reserve season dates. (See Restigouche RFA for exceptions.) • Crown Reserve Licences do not guarantee exclusive stretch use. • Fishing is live release only for all species on Regular Crown Reserve Waters from September 1 – 15. • On Crown Reserve waters a “fishing day” is the 24-hour period extending from 2:00 p.m. on the first day until 2:00 p.m. on the second day. (Exception: Patapedia and Lower Patapedia stretches are based on a full calendar day. See pages 54-55 for details.) • Licence fees are per angler per day, taxes included. • All Crown Reserve Waters are fly fishing only. Barbless flies are required on Live Release Crown Reserves. Trolling with artificial flies is permitted on all Crown Reserves. Youth on Crown Reserve Waters Youth under the age of 16 may participate in Crown Reserve angling without being required to hold a licence or be a Crown Reserve party member. If a youth is angling on Crown Reserve Waters and is not a party member: • He/she must be accompanied* by a licensed Crown Reserve angler. • The licensed Crown Reserve angler and the youth may not angle at the same time. • The young person’s catch must be included in the bag limit or live release limit of the licensed Crown Reserve angler. • The adult licensed Crown Reserve Angler is legally responsible to ensure that the youth complies with all regulations. If a youth under the age of 16 is a party member: • The youth must possess the appropriate Crown Reserve Licence for the stretch being angled. • On Atlantic Salmon Crown Reserve stretches: –– For a Regular or Daily Crown Reserve stretch, if he/she is 10-15 years of age and possesses a Class 8 or 17 Salmon Angling licence, they may angle alone and they have their own bag limit and/or live release limit or; –– For a Live Release Crown Reserve stretch, if he/she is 10-15 years of age and possesses a Class 8 or 17 Salmon Angling licence, they may angle alone and they have their own live release limit or; 50 CROWN RESERVE WATERS –– If he/she does not possess the appropriate Salmon Angling licence required on the stretch being angled, they must be accompanied* by a licensed Crown Reserve angler and their catch must be included with that other party member’s bag limit and/or live release limit. This also includes all youth under the age of 10 who are not eligible to purchase a Salmon Angling Licence. • On Brook Trout Crown Reserve Stretches: –– Youth under 16 years of age do not require a Class 7, 8, 9, 10, 16, or 17 angling licence, but do require a Crown Reserve Licence. * “Accompanied” is defined as within visual and / or auditory contact of each other without the aid of artificial devices except medically-prescribed eyeglasses or hearing aids. Regular Crown Reserve Twenty of these special salmon angling waters are located in the Miramichi and Restigouche river systems (see pages 54-55). Fishing rights are awarded annually by computer draw. The season extends from June 10-September 15. These waters are closed before and after the Regular Crown Reserve season with the exception of three Restigouche River stretches (Red Bank, Three Sisters, and Devil’s Half Acre) which are open from April 15 -June 1 for all angling. All stretches except Patapedia are valid for a 48-hour period, beginning at 2:00 p.m. on the first day and ending at 2:00 p.m. on the third day. Patapedia stretch is valid for three consecutive calendar days. Application and Payment Procedures Applicants may apply online at www.gnb.ca/naturalresources, at the Fish and Wildlife Branch in Fredericton, or at any DNR District office. An application fee of $7.91 per angler must be paid at the time of the application. • Applicants are restricted to one application to the Regular Crown Reserve draw per year. • Once the draw is held, the successful applicants will be notified in writing or by e-mail of the payment deadline. • Payment must be made online at www.gnb.ca/naturalresources or at the Fish and Wildlife Branch in Fredericton. No payments will be accepted at DNR District offices or after the deadline. Total cost per angler is $51.98 per day for angling dates from June 10 to August 31 and $35.03 per day per angler for angling dates from September 1 to 15. • In addition to a Regular Crown Reserve Angling Licence, each angler must have a Class 7, 8, 16 or 17 Salmon Angling Licence. For exception, see "Youth on Crown Reserve", pages 50-51. • Further information, including bag limits, will be provided in successful applicants’ licence packages. Unclaimed stretches • Angling opportunities that are unclaimed during the Regular Crown Reserve draw will be reoffered to anglers on a first-come first-served booking basis. • Unclaimed stretch listings are available online at www.gnb.ca/naturalresources or by contacting any DNR District office. • Crown Reserve anglers are encouraged to book stretches unclaimed in the Regular Crown Reserve draw online at www. gnb.ca/naturalresources. Persons without Internet access will be able to book unclaimed stretches by contacting one of the following designated DNR District offices: 1) Miramichi River stretches – DNR Miramichi 506-627-4050 2) Restigouche River stretches – DNR Campbellton 506-789-2336 3) Dates for the North Branch Kedgwick stretch – DNR Saint-Quentin 506-235-6040 • There is no fee to book unclaimed Regular Crown Reserve stretches. • Booking periods for unclaimed Regular Crown Reserve stretch dates include: 1) Unsuccessful applicant booking period: –– Begins the second Monday of May and lasts two consecutive weeks. In 2015, bookings by unsuccessful draw applicants will be accepted online and at designated DNR offices beginning 8:30 am, Monday, May 11. 51 CROWN RESERVE WATERS –– Only anglers who were unsuccessful in the Regular Crown Reserve draw may book a stretch date during this period. –– Ineligible persons include successful Regular Crown Reserve applicants regardless of whether they actually paid for their stretch or not, unsuccessful applicants who substituted into an angling party that was successful in the draw, and any person who did not apply to the draw. –– A limit of one stretch date per angler applies. –– Bookings do not have to be based on the original party membership. A four person party, for example could reform to book a stretch date during this period as two separate two-person parties. –– Party size must correspond to the size limit for that stretch. –– Immediate licence payment at the time of booking is required. 2) Open booking period: –– Begins the first Monday of June and lasts until the end of the Regular Crown Reserve angling season. In 2015, bookings for this period will be accepted online and at designated DNR district offices beginning 8:30 am, Monday, June 1. –– Any angler whose principal place of residence is New Brunswick may book stretch dates during this period regardless of whether they participated in the Regular Crown Reserve draw or not. –– There are no limits as to the number of available stretches that may be booked. –– Party size must correspond to the size limit for that stretch. –– Immediate licence payment at the time of booking is required. 3) Bookings within 48 hours of an angling date: –– Any stretch that has not been booked within 48 hours of its angling date can be booked by individuals or parties. The number of persons who book the stretch may be less than the stretch limit(s). –– Angling dates that occur on a weekend or Monday will be available for booking beginning two business days prior to the angling date. For example, bookings within 48 hours of angling dates that occur on a Saturday, Sunday, or Monday will begin at 8:30 am on the previous Thursday. Daily Crown Reserve These fifteen salmon and trout fishing waters provide excellent angling on a day-by-day basis (see pages 55-56). The season extends from June 1-Sept. 15. These waters are closed before and after the Daily Crown Reserve season. Exception: Restigouche River Daily Crown Reserve (Grog Island) is open from April 15-June 1 for all angling. Application and Payment Procedures Step A: Random draw • Apply online at www.gnb.ca/naturalresources or by calling the appropriate District office between 8:30 and 11:00 am on the draw date. • Draws are held on weekdays 7 days in advance of the angling date. If the angling date is a Saturday or Sunday, the draw is held on the Monday of the week immediately preceding the angling date, or on Tuesday in the event that Monday is a holiday. • An application fee of $7.91 per angler must be paid at the time of the application unless the angler has previously applied to a Crown Reserve draw during the current year. • Successful applicants will be contacted by phone or e-mail after the draw is conducted at 11:00 am. Immediate payment is required. 52 CROWN RESERVE WATERS Step B: Party booking • If no applications are received by 11 a.m. on the draw date, unclaimed stretches may be booked on a first-come firstserved basis by proper party size, up to 48 hours before the angling date. • To book, visit www.gnb.ca/naturalresources or call the appropriate designated office beginning at 1:30 pm on the stretch draw date. • There is no fee to book unclaimed stretches under Step B. Step C: Individual or party booking • Within 48 hours of the fishing date bookings are accepted from individuals or parties. The total number of anglers is not permitted to exceed the stretch limit and licence fees apply only to the number of persons who actually take the stretch. • There is no application fee to book unclaimed stretches under Step C. • To book, visit www.gnb.ca/naturalresources or call the appropriate DNR office after 8:30 am beginning two business days immediately prior to the angling date. General information on Daily Crown Reserves • In addition to a Daily Crown Reserve licence, anglers on Daily Crown Reserves must have a valid Class 7, 8, 16 or 17 salmon angling licence for salmon stretches, or a valid Class 9 or 10 licence for trout stretches. For exception, see "Youth on Crown Reserve", pages 50-51. • Licences are not transferable. • Anglers are limited to two days per month for any specific stretch of Daily Crown Reserve Water obtained through Step A Random Draw. Vacant water booked under Steps B and C does not count towards this limit. • Anglers must purchase the full period of vacant water. Partial purchase is not allowed. • When the successful party is notified, payment must be made immediately by credit card, Interac, cash, cheque or money order (by phone or in person). There are no exceptions. • The cost per angler per day on Daily Crown Reserve salmon stretches is $51.98 for angling dates from June 1 to August 31 and $35.03 per day per angler for angling dates between September 1 and 15. (Exception: the Lower Patapedia stretch is $22.60 for angling dates from June 3 to August 31.) • The cost per angler per day on Daily Crown Reserve brook trout stretches is $22.60 for angling dates from June 3 to August 31 and $14.69 for angling dates from September 1 to 15. • At the time of payment, all party members’ DNR client number or their information must be provided for the issuance of the licences (name, address, date of birth, telephone number and identification). 53 CROWN RESERVE WATERS Live Release Crown Reserve Only fly fishing with barbless or pinched hooks is permitted. There are five of these reserves in the Miramichi drainage (see page 56). The season extends from June 1-Sept. 15. Waters are closed before and after the Live Release Crown Reserve season. Application and Payment Procedures: • Same procedures as Steps A, B and C for Daily Crown Reserve. • An application fee of $7.91 per angler must be paid at the time of the application unless the angler has previously applied to a Crown Reserve draw during the current year. • Anglers are limited to two days per month for any specific stretch of Live Release Crown Reserve Water obtained through Step A Random Draw. Stretches booked under Steps B and C do not count towards this limit. • The cost per angler per day on Live Release Crown Reserve stretches is $37.29 for angling dates from June 1 to August 31 and $24.86 for angling dates from September 1 to 15. (Exception: the Upper and Lower Cains stretches are $22.60 for angling dates from June 1 to August 31 and $14.69 for angling dates from September 1 to 15.) • In addition to a Live Release Crown Reserve Licence, each angler must have a valid Class 7, 8, 16 or 17 salmon angling licence. For exception, see "Youth on Crown Reserve", pages 50-51. • If angling on the Cains River, each angler must have a valid Class 7, 8, 9, 10, 16 or 17 licence in addition to a Live Release Crown Reserve Licence. For exception, see "Youth on Crown Reserve", pages 50-51. • Palisades and Sinclair stretch licences are issued for two consecutive fishing days. Regular Crown Reserve Waters Cost per angler per day is $51.98 (HST incl.) for angling dates from June 10 to August 31 and $35.03 per day per angler for angling dates from September 1 to 15. Restigouche Drainage River Stretch Kedgwick North Branch Kedgwick Patapedia Patapediaa Restigouche Devil’s Half Acre Restigouche Restigouche Upsalquitch Upsalquitch NW Upsalquitch NW Upsalquitch SE Upsalquitch Red Bank Three Sisters Crooked Rapids Upsalquitch Forks Pool Craven Gulch Northwest Upsalquitch Southeast Upsalquitch Party Size 2 2 4 Camps Yes Yesb Yes Access Canoe or wading Canoe Canoe 4 4 2 or 4 2 2 2 or 4 2 Yes Yes No Yes No No Yes Canoe Canoe Canoe Canoe Canoe Canoe Canoe or wading a Patapedia licences are valid for three consecutive calendar days. The last available stretch start date is August 29. b Accommodations for Patapedia stretch available from Quebec Parks and Reserve Service, Matapedia, Quebec Bag Limit: The bag limit for grilse on the Restigouche Regular Crown Reserve Licence (except Patapedia stretch*) is three (3) grilse for the entire Crown Reserve three day trip (48 hour period). Anglers may retain the Federal limit of one grilse on any day during the Crown Reserve trip, providing that their total kill for the trip is a maximum of three grilse. *Patapedia Regular Crown Reserve stretch: Bag limit is 2 grilse per day; retention and possession limit for the trip is 4 grilse provided the angler has the appropriate number of tags. 54 CROWN RESERVE WATERS Miramichi Drainage NOTE: the Miramichi Crown Reserves are live release only for Atlantic salmon in 2015. River LSW Miramichi Lr North Branch, LSW Miramichi NW Miramichi NW Miramichi NW Miramichi NW Miramichi NW Miramichi North Sevogle North Sevogle North Sevogle Stretch Charlies Rock Adams Poola Party Size 4 4 Camps Yes Yes Access Wading Wading Crawford Depot Elbow Stoney Brook Sullivan Groundhog Landing Squirrel Falls Narrows 4 4 4 4 2 4 4 4 Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Wading Wading Wading Wading Wading Wading Wading Wading a Anglers must release all brook trout caught on the Adams Pool stretch on the Lower North Branch Little Southwest Miramichi River. Daily Crown Reserve Waters Atlantic Salmon Cost per angler per day is $51.98 for angling dates from June 1 and August 31 and $35.03 per day per angler for angling dates from September 1 to 15. (Exception: the Lower Patapedia stretch is $22.60 for angling dates from June 3 to August 31.) Stretch Water Season Party Size Trip Bag Limit per person Berry Brook Upsalquitch June 1-Sept. 15 2 or 4 2 Cruickshank North Branch Sevogle June 10-Sept. 15 2 0 Grog Island Restigouche June 1-Sept. 15 2 2 Jardine Brook Little Main Restigouche June 1-Sept. 15 2 or 4 2 Kedgwick Forks Kedgwick June 1-Sept. 15 2 2 Lower Kedgwick Kedgwick June 1-Sept. 15 2, 4 or 6a 2 4c Lower Patapedia Patapedia June 3-Aug. 31b 2 DNR Office Telephone Campbellton Miramichi Campbellton Saint-Quentin Saint-Quentin Saint-Quentin Campbellton 506-789-2336 506-627-4050 506-789-2336 506-235-6040 506-235-6040 506-235-6040 506-789-2336 a Lower Kedgwick stretch accommodates six anglers until July 10 inclusive; four anglers beginning on July 11. b Lower Patapedia licences valid for two consecutive calendar days. Start dates are June 3, 7, 11, 15, 19, 23, 27; July 1, 5, 9, 13, 17, 21, 25, 29; August 2, 6, 10, 14, 18, 22, 26, 30. c Lower Patapedia stretch bag limit: 2 per day/4 per trip. 55 CROWN RESERVE WATERS Brook Trout Cost per angler per day is $22.60 for angling dates from June 3 to August 31 and $14.69 for angling dates from September 1 to 15. Stretch Season Party Size California Lakea Caribou Lake Goodwin Lakeb Island Lake Kenny Lake Nepisiguit River Peaked Mountain Lakesc Valentine Lake June 1-August 31 June 1-Sept. 15 June 1-Sept. 15 June 1-Sept. 15 June 1-Sept. 15 July 15-August 15 June 1-Sept. 15 June 1-Sept. 15 2 or 4 2 2 2 2 2 2 or 4 2 Trip Bag Limit per person 5 5 2 2 2 2 2 2 DNR Office Telephone Bathurst Bathurst Miramichi Doaktown Miramichi Bathurst Doaktown Doaktown 506-547-2080 506-547-2080 506-627-4050 506-365-2001 506-627-4050 506-547-2080 506-365-2001 506-365-2001 a Artificial lures and bait prohibited to be in an anglers possession while angling on California Lake. b Access to Goodwin Lake requires a canoe portage. c Access to the Peaked Mountain Lakes requires 4X4 truck and a canoe portage. Live Release Crown Reserve Waters Cost per angler per day: Upper and Lower Cains $22.60 for angling dates from June 1 to August 31 and $14.69 for angling dates from September 1 to 15. All other stretches $37.29 for angling dates from June 1 to August 31 and $24.86 for angling dates from September 1 to 15. Stretch Cains Lower Cains Upper Lr. North Branch Palisades Sinclair River Cains Cains LSW Miramichi North Pole Stream North Pole Stream Season June 1-Sept. 15 June 1-Sept. 15 June 1-Sept. 15 July 1-Sept. 15 July 1-Sept. 15 Party Size 2 or 4 2 or 4 4 4 4 Live Release limit: 4 Atlantic Salmon per angler per calendar day. Bag Limit: The bag limit on all Live Release Crown Reserve stretches is 0 for all species. 56 DNR Office Doaktown Doaktown Miramichi Doaktown Doaktown Telephone 506-365-2001 506-365-2001 506-627-4050 506-365-2001 506-365-2001