Fishing in New Brunswick

Anglers fish the Miramichi River for Atlantic salmon.

The largest of the three Maritime Provinces of eastern Canada, New Brunswick is best known for its Atlantic salmon fishing. The province contains several rivers that are among the more renowned and important Atlantic salmon fisheries in North America. In recent years, however, nonresident anglers are also traveling in increasing numbers to this coastal province for smallmouth bass fishing, as New Brunswick has excellent fishing for this species in rivers and lakes.

New Brunswick’s inland fishery resource includes 46 freshwater, anadromous, and catadromous fish species. Approximately 90 percent of sportfishing efforts are directed at brook trout, Atlantic salmon, smallmouth bass, landlocked salmon, white perch, yellow perch, and chain pickerel. Only 5 percent of angling effort is directed at coastal species. This is spread among striped bass, American shad, mackerel, cod, flounder, and pollock, and these species are greatly underutilized.

New Brunswick attracts many American anglers because of its proximity to the eastern United States; these anglers are primarily interested in salmon and bass. It attracts other Canadian visitors because of its Atlantic salmon. The catch and effort overall for Atlantic salmon have increased in recent years, despite a decline in the total Canadian salmon abundance and catch since 1970. The Miramichi watershed supports 60 to 70 percent of the provincial angler effort for Atlantic salmon. Angling restrictions have been placed on many New Brunswick salmon rivers with insufficient juvenile and adult populations.

Brook trout are the most popular species among resident anglers and are widely available in the province. Effort and catch per day for this species, however, have decreased in recent years, primarily due to overfishing, habitat degradation, and introduction of competitive fish species.

Smallmouth bass angling continues to increase in popularity in southwestern New Brunswick waters. The overall catch of these fish doubled between 1990 and 1995. According to creel surveys, more than 95 percent of bass are released. Other warmwater fish—particularly white perch, yellow perch and chain pickerel—are significantly less popular than the aforementioned species. Ice fishing, which is legal from January 1 through March 31, is permissible in selected waters for all species; this method is not especially popular, although ice fishing in frozen estuaries for smelt has a good following.

Catch and effort for coastal species such as flounder, mackerel, and pollock have remained relatively constant for several decades. Recreational fisheries for striped bass have declined, and highly restrictive harvest limits have been imposed.

Nonresidents are required by law to be accompanied by a licensed guide when angling in New Brunswick’s designated Atlantic salmon waters. A licensed guide is not required when angling in other waters for landlocked salmon, brook trout, or smallmouth bass; however, there is no substitute for local knowledge, and the services of a licensed guide are recommended for visitors, at least in the short term.