Entries

DFO advises anglers that the season dates for the 2025 Atlantic Salmon recreational fishery are:

Insular Newfoundland - June 1 to September 7, 2025

Labrador - June 15 to September 15, 2025

Management Measures:

Anglers will be permitted to retain a total of two salmon, with a maximum of one salmon on Class 2 rivers.

A catch and release limit of three fish per day for all scheduled rivers in Newfoundland and Labrador with the exception of Class 0 rivers. On Class 0 rivers, anglers are permitted to catch and release a maximum of two fish per day.

The retention of salmon on non-scheduled waters is not permitted.

The continuation of a multi-faceted Environmental Protocol. Details will be outlined in the 2025-2026 Angler’s Guide.

For additional information, refer to the Fisheries Management Decision online at: Decisions for Atlantic Canada, Quebec and the Arctic - 2025

Details on the regulations pertaining to retention limits, river classification, closed areas and special management areas are contained in the 2025-2026 Angler's Guide which is available in booklet form or on-line at:  Anglers' Guide 2025-2026

Check out our short video on best practices for catch and release angling: Best practices for catch and release of Atlantic salmon

The Regional Director General, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Newfoundland and Labrador Region gives notice that Variation Orders 2024-140, 2024-255, 2024-257, 2024-259, 2024-263 and 2024-264 have been revoked and Variation Orders 2025-055, 2025-056, 2025-057, 2025-058, 2025-059 and 2025-060 will come into force on May 24, 2025.

"Notices to Anglers" are now available online under the Fishery Notices link on the DFO NL Region webpage at Newfoundland and Labrador Region.

If you would like to have all "Notices to Anglers" for recreational fisheries sent directly to you by email, please contact: miranda.pryor@dfo-mpo.gc.ca.

DFO advises that the Atlantic Halibut fishery in NAFO sub-Division 3Pn, for vessels less than 65 feet using hook and line gear, will reopen at 0600 hours on May 24, 2025.

DFO will monitor fishing activity and will close the fishery if the incidental catch of Cod exceeds the established protocols.

"Notices to Fish Harvesters" for all commercial fisheries are now available online under the Fishery Notices link on the DFO NL Region webpage at Newfoundland and Labrador Region

If you would like to have all "Notices to Fish Harvesters" for commercial fisheries sent directly to you by email, please contact: miranda.pryor@dfo-mpo.gc.ca 

DFO advises that the 3NOP portion of the Industry-DFO Longline Survey Program for 3NOPs4VWX5Zc Atlantic halibut will open to NL-based participants (Vessel Class A282) on Thursday, May 22, 2025 at 0600 hours.

The Regional Director General, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Newfoundland and Labrador Region gives notice that Variation Order 2025-062 has been revoked and Variation Order 2025-065 will come into force on May 21, 2025.

"Notices to Fish Harvesters" for all commercial fisheries are now available online under the Fishery Notices link on the DFO NL Region webpage at Newfoundland and Labrador Region

If you would like to have all "Notices to Fish Harvesters" for commercial fisheries sent directly to you by email please contact: miranda.pryor@dfo-mpo.gc.ca

DFO advises that the fishery for Atlantic Halibut in NAFO Division 3NO, for vessel class A1183 (Maritimes) using longline will open on Thursday, May 22, 2025 at 0600 hours.

The Regional Director General, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Newfoundland and Labrador Region gives notice that Variation Order 2025-062 has been revoked and Variation Order 2025-065 will come into force on May 21, 2025.

"Notices to Fish Harvesters" for all commercial fisheries are now available online under the Fishery Notices link on the DFO NL Region webpage at Newfoundland and Labrador Region

If you would like to have all "Notices to Fish Harvesters" for commercial fisheries sent directly to you by email please contact: miranda.pryor@dfo-mpo.gc.ca

DFO wishes to advise harvesters that the Lumpfish fishery will open in the following NAFO Division 3K Lumpfish fishing areas:

Note all opening times are 0600 hours and all closing times are 2000 hours.

Cape Bauld to Granite Point: May 20, 2025 to July 8, 2025

Granite Point to Little Harbour Deep Head: May 20, 2025 to July 8, 2025

Little Harbour Deep Head to Cape St. John: May 20, 2025 to July 8, 2025

Cape St. John to North Head: May 20, 2025 to July 8, 2025

North Head to Cape Freels: May 27, 2025 to July 15, 2025

Fishing for Lumpfish is authorized in water depths less than 25 fathoms.

Licence fees and licence conditions are available on the National Online Licencing System (NOLS).

The Regional Director General, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Newfoundland and Labrador Regions gives notice that Variation Order 2024-319 has been revoked and Variation Order 2025-064 will come into force on May 17, 2025.

"Notices to Fish Harvesters" for all commercial fisheries are now available online under the Fishery Notices link on the DFO NL Region webpage at Newfoundland and Labrador Region

If you would like to have all "Notices to Fish Harvesters" for commercial fisheries sent directly to you by email please contact: miranda.pryor@dfo-mpo.gc.ca

DFO advises that the Lumpfish fishery will open at 0600 hours on May 17, 2025 and close at 2000 hours on July 4, 2025 in a portion of NAFO Division 4R from Ferolle Point to Cape Bauld.

Fishing for Lumpfish is authorized in water depths less than 25 fathoms.

The Regional Director General, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Newfoundland and Labrador Region gives notice that Variation Order 2024-319 has been revoked and Variation Order 2025-064 will come into force on May 17, 2025.

"Notices to Fish Harvesters" for all commercial fisheries are now available online under the Fishery Notices link on the DFO NL Region webpage at Newfoundland and Labrador Region

If you would like to have all "Notices to Fish Harvesters" for commercial fisheries sent directly to you by email please contact: miranda.pryor@dfo-mpo.gc.ca

DFO wishes to advise harvesters that the Lumpfish fishery will open at 0600 hours on May 17, 2025 and close at 2000 hours on July 5, 2025 in the following NAFO Division 3L Lumpfish fishing area:

Bonavista Bay North

Fishing for Lumpfish is authorized in water depths less than 25 fathoms.

Licence fees and licence conditions are available on the National Online Licencing System (NOLS).

The Regional Director General, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Newfoundland and Labrador Regions gives notice that Variation Order 2024-319 has been revoked and Variation Order 2025-064 will come into force on May 17, 2025.

"Notices to Fish Harvesters" for all commercial fisheries are now available online under the Fishery Notices link on the DFO NL Region webpage at Newfoundland and Labrador Region

If you would like to have all "Notices to Fish Harvesters" for commercial fisheries sent directly to you by email please contact: miranda.pryor@dfo-mpo.gc.ca

DFO advises harvesters that the less than 65 ft. fixed gear Greenland Halibut (Turbot) fishery in NAFO Divisions 3LMNO will open on Tuesday, May 20, 2025 at 0600 hours.

Fish Harvesters are required to hail-out to an At Sea Observer Company 24 hours prior to leaving port.

License conditions will be available on the National Online Licensing System (NOLS) for those harvesters who submitted an Expression of Interest and are eligible to participate in the NAFO Divisions 3LMNO fixed gear Greenland halibut (Turbot) fishery.

The Regional Director General, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Newfoundland and Labrador Regions gives notice that Variation Order 2025-061 has been revoked and Variation Order 2025-063 will come into force on May 17, 2025.

"Notices to Fish Harvesters" for all commercial fisheries are now available online under the Fishery Notices link on the DFO NL Region webpage at Newfoundland and Labrador Region

If you would like to have all "Notices to Fish Harvesters" for commercial fisheries sent directly to you by email please contact: miranda.pryor@dfo-mpo.gc.ca

DFO reminds harvesters in Mackerel Fishing Areas 1 -14 the personal use mackerel bait fishery will open at 0600 hours on Thursday, May 15, 2025, for the initial 220 t allocation.

Harvesters participating in this personal use bait fishery are reminded:

• they will be restricted to a daily limit of 454 kg (1,000 lbs) to be fished by either gillnet or handline,

• a mandatory hail-in will be required for all harvesters participating in the personal use mackerel bait fishery,

• an accurate catch estimate must be provided prior to offloading your catch and harvesters must hail a trip summary to the Fish Harvesters’ Resource Centre at 1-877-884-7359 / 1-888-562-4511,

• harvesters will be alerted of closures through a Notice to Fish Harvesters,

• bait licences will be available through the National Online Licensing System.

"Notices to Fish Harvesters" for all commercial fisheries are now available online under the Fishery Notices link on the DFO NL Region webpage at Newfoundland and Labrador Region

If you would like to have all "Notices to Fish Harvesters" for commercial fisheries sent directly to you by email please contact: miranda.pryor@dfo-mpo.gc.ca 

DFO reminds harvesters involved in groundfish fisheries throughout NAFO Division 4R, that various fisheries will begin to open in the next few weeks. Harvesters are reminded that a portion of NAFO sub-Division 4Rd and 4Rc (Bay St. George and Port au Port Bay), is closed to ALL groundfish fishing until midnight, June 23, 2025.

The purpose of this closure is to protect the Cod spawning activity occurring in this area.

The specific area of the closure is near the entrance to Bay St. George and Port au Port Bay, defined by straight lines drawn from the following coordinates:

- 48 degrees 15" North, 59 degrees 20" west, to
- 49 degrees 10" North, 59 degrees 20" west, to
- 49 degrees 10" North, 60 degrees 00" west, to
- 48 degrees 15" North, 60 degrees 00" west, to
- 48 degrees 15" North, 59 degrees 20" west.

"Notices to Fish Harvesters" for all commercial fisheries are now available online under the Fishery Notices link on the DFO NL Region webpage at Newfoundland and Labrador Region

If you would like to have all "Notices to Fish Harvesters" for commercial fisheries sent directly to you by email, please contact: miranda.pryor@dfo-mpo.gc.ca