Regulations - Fisheries and Coastal Resources

This consolidation is unofficial and is for reference only. For the official version of the regulations, consult the original documents on file with the Registry of Regulations, or refer to the Royal Gazette Part II.

Regulations are amended frequently. Please check the list of Regulations by Act to see if there are any recent amendments to these regulations filed with the Registry that are not yet included in this consolidation.

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Recreational Fishing Regulations

made under Section 81 of the
Fisheries and Coastal Resources Act
S.N.S. 1996, c. 25
O.I.C. 2001-194 (April 19, 2001, effective April 1, 2001), N.S. Reg. 44/2001
1 These regulations may be cited as the Recreational Fishing Regulations.
2 From September 1 to September 30 in each year, no person shall angle for brook trout, brown trout, lake trout or rainbow trout using any lures other than unbaited lures or lures baited with artificial flies.
3 No person shall angle from April 1 to April 15 in each year on main river sections listed in Schedule “A” for all fish species.
4 The regulations set out in Schedule “B” apply when angling in the Special Trout Management Areas.
5 During the period beginning on the 3rd Saturday in April and ending on the 2nd Sunday in June, no person shall angle for smallmouth bass using any lures other than unbaited lures or lures baited with artificial flies except when angling in High Harvest Fishery lakes within the Special Bass Management Areas as set out in Schedule "C".

Schedule “A”

Recreational Fishing Area 1
Margaree River, Inverness County, downstream from the bridges at Big Intervale on the Northeast Margaree and downstream from the Scotsville bridge on the Southwest Margaree, not including tributaries to those rivers.
Grand River, Richmond County, downstream from the highway bridge at the head of Loch Lomond, not including tributaries.
Marie Joseph Brook, Richmond County, downstream from the outlet of Upper Marie Joseph Lake.
Framboise River, Richmond County, including Middle River Framboise, Northeast Framboise River and Bagnells River, not including tributaries to those rivers.
River Tillard, Richmond County, downstream from the bridge at Sporting Mountain.
River Inhabitants, Richmond County, downstream from the Highway 105 bridge at Kingsville, not including tributaries.
Catalone River, Cape Breton County, downstream from the outlet of Belle Lake.
Gerratt Brook, Cape Breton County, downstream from the outlet of Kelly Lake.
Lorraine Brook, Cape Breton County, downstream from the outlet of Mac Vickers Lake.
Mira River, Cape Breton County, downstream from the highway bridge at Victoria Bridge.
Salmon River, Cape Breton County, downstream from the still water at Silver Mine.
Gaspereau River, Cape Breton County, downstream from the outlet of Gaspereau Lake.
Recreational Fishing Area 2
South River, Antigonish County, downstream from the bridge that marks the outlet of Loch Katrine (South River Lake) to a point 400 m downstream from the railway trestle.
Brierly Brook, Antigonish County, downstream from the bridge on the Schoolhouse Road.
Pomquet River, Antigonish County, downstream from the Highway 104 bridge.
Barneys River, Pictou County, downstream from the Highway 104 bridge at Barneys River Station and downstream from the bridge at Avondale Station on the West Branch Barneys River.
French River, Pictou County, downstream from the confluence of the East and West branches.
Sutherlands River, Pictou County, downstream from Park Falls.
West River, Pictou County, downstream from the Highway 104 bridge.
River John, Pictou County, downstream from the confluence of the East and West branches, including the Salmon Hole.
St. Mary's River, Guysborough County, downstream from a point 100 m upstream from Silver's Bridge, and downstream from the highway bridge at Glenelg.
Liscomb River, Guysborough County, downstream from the outlet of Big Stillwater Lake.
Ecum Secum River, Guysborough County, downstream from Judd's Pool near New Chester.
Recreational Fishing Area 3
East River Sheet Harbour, Halifax County, from the Department of Fisheries and Oceans barrier dam upstream to Malay Falls.
Musquodoboit River, Halifax County, from a point 300 m downstream from the Highway 7 bridge upstream to a point 100 m upstream from the first Highway 357 bridge (Crawford's Bridge).
Recreational Fishing Area 6
Waugh's River, Colchester County, downstream from the bridge on Highway 256 at The Falls, not including tributaries.
French River, Colchester County, downstream from the bridge on Highway 246 at Oliver, not including tributaries.
River Phillip, Cumberland County, downstream from the Mountain Road bridge in the community of River Phillip, not including tributaries.
Shinimicas River, Cumberland County, downstream from the Highway 6 bridge.

Schedule "B" - Special Trout Management Areas
Recreational Fishing Area 1

Baddeck River, Victoria County:

Description: Upstream from the 105 Highway bridge including the North Branch Baddeck River and Canes Pond, not including tributaries to those rivers.

Closed: April 1 to May 14

Open: May 15 to September 30

Conditions: Single hook lure or artificial fly only and the use of natural bait is prohibited.

October 1 to October 31

Conditions: Rainbow trout only, artificial fly only. Bag limit of 5 fish.

Middle River, Victoria County:

Description: Upstream from the 105 Highway bridge to the Cabot Trail highway bridge near Findlayson.

Closed: April 1 to May 14

Open: May 15 to September 30

Conditions: Single hook lure or artificial fly only and the use of natural bait is prohibited.

October 1 to October 31

Conditions: Rainbow trout only, artificial fly only. Bag limit of 5 fish.

Cape Breton Highlands Management Area:

Description: That area enclosed by the following boundaries: (1) the 105 Highway from the St. Ann's exit to the Cabot Trail to the Hunters Mountain exit to the Cabot Trail, (2) the Cabot Trail Highway, (3) the Victoria County line, and (4) the Cape Breton Highlands National Park boundary.

Closed:

Open: April 1 to September 30

Conditions: Bag limit of 10 speckled trout, only 1 of which may be over 23 cm
(9 in.) total length.

Additional conditions apply to the following areas:
Middle River and tributaries including Gold Brook, Leonard MacLeod Brook and Coldbrook.
Baddeck River, North Branch Baddeck River and Canes Pond, not including tributaries to those rivers.
North River downstream from a point at the benches marked by a fishery officer, not including tributaries.
Barachois River, not including tributaries.
Indian Brook downstream from the confluence of the east and west branches, not including tributaries.
Ingonish River, not including tributaries.

Conditions: Bag limit will remain at 5 fish.
From September 1 to September 30 no speckled trout may be retained, and the use of natural bait is prohibited.

Recreational Fishing Area 2
West River, Antigonish County

Description: Downstream from the bridge at the outlet of St. Joseph Lake on the Ohio River and downstream from the outlet of MacEacherns Lake, including the Cameron Lakes, on the Beaver River to a line drawn from Williams Point to a line drawn true North from grid reference 8350 5420 at Williams Point to the opposite shore (Antigonish reference map 11F-12).

Closed: April 1 to May 14

Open: May 15 to September 30

Conditions: Single hook lure or artificial fly only and the use of natural bait is prohibited.
Bag limit is reduced to 1 fish (either brown or speckled trout) which must be 35 cm (14 in.) total length or larger.
From September 1 to September 30 no speckled trout may be retained.

October 1 to October 31

Conditions: Rainbow trout only, artificial fly only.
Bag limit of 5 fish.

Special Provisions for Rainbow Trout:

Area Open Conditions

South River,
Antigonish County April 15 to October 31 Artificial fly only from
October 1 to October 31

West River,
Antigonish County May 15 to October 31 Artificial fly only from
October 1 to October 31

St. Francis Harbour River,
Guysborough County April 1 to October 31 Artificial fly only from
October 1 to October 31

Recreational Fishing Area 3
Blueberry Lake, Halifax County:

Description: Blueberry Lake and tributaries including Blueberry Run to its confluence with but not including Big Indian Lake.

Conditions: Catch and release, single hook lure or artificial fly only and the use of natural bait is prohibited.

East Taylor Bay Lake, Halifax County:

Description: East Taylor Bay Lake, including all lakes and tributaries flowing onto East Taylor Bay Lake.

Conditions: Open to angling with single hook lure or artificial fly only, and the use of natural bait is prohibited.
Bag limit is reduced to 2 speckled trout, which must be 25 cm (10 in.) total length or larger.

Jacket Lake, Halifax County:

Conditions: Catch and release, single hook lure or artificial fly only and the use of natural bait is prohibited.

Woodens River, Halifax County:

Description: Downstream from the outflow of Hubley Big Lake, including all lakes and tributaries.

Conditions: Catch and release, single hook lure or artificial fly only and the use of natural bait is prohibited.

Birch Hill Lake, East Duck Lake, Five Island Lake, Five Island Lake Run, Frederick Lake, Holland Marsh Lake, Hubley Big Lake, Lizard Lake and Sheldrake Lake:

Conditions: Catch and release only, single hook lure or artificial fly only and the use of natural bait is prohibited.

Recreational Fishing Area 5
Cornwallis River, Kings County:

Open: April 1 to September 30

Conditions: From South Bishop Road bridge downstream to the 101 Highway bridge:
- closed to angling except with a single hook lure or artificial fly, the use of natural bait is prohibited.
- bag limit reduced to 1 fish (either brown or speckled trout), which must be 35 cm (14 in.) total length or larger.

Recreational Fishing Area 6
Harrison Lake, Cumberland County:

Open: April 1 to September 30

Conditions: Single hook lure or artificial fly only, and the use of natural bait is prohibited.
Bag limit reduced to 1 fish (either brown or speckled trout), which must be 35 cm (14 in.) total length or larger.
From September 1 to September 30 no speckled trout may be retained.

Stewiacke River, Colchester County:

Description: Downstream from the CN Railway bridge near McKay Siding to the Highway 102 bridge.

Closed: April 1 to May 10

Open: May 11 to September 30

Conditions: Single hook lure or artificial fly only, and the use of natural bait is prohibited.
Bag limit reduced to 1 fish (either brown or speckled trout), which must be 35 cm (14 in.) total length or larger.
From September 1 to September 30 no speckled trout may be retained.

Schedule "C" - Special Bass Management Areas
Recreational Fishing Area 3
Trophy Fishery:

Open: April 1 to December 31

Conditions: Bag limit reduced to 3 bass, only 1 of which may be over 40 cm (16 in.), all fish 30-40 cm (12-16 in.) must be released, no bass may be retained from April 21 to June 10, and the use of natural bait is prohibited for this species.

Areas: Grand Lake, Halifax County

High Harvest Fishery:

Open: April 1 to December 31

Conditions: Bag limit increased to 10 bass, only 2 of which may be over 25 cm (10 in.).

Areas: MicMac Lake, Halifax County
Banook Lake, Halifax County
Loon Lake, Halifax County
Rocky Lake, Halifax County

Recreational Fishing Area 4
Trophy Fishery:

Open: April 1 to December 31

Conditions: Bag limit reduced to 3 bass, only 1 of which may be over 40 cm (16 in.), all fish 30-40 cm (12-16 in.) must be released, no bass may be retained from April 21 to June 10, and the use of natural bait is prohibited for this species.

Areas: Salmon River Lake, Digby County
Ten Mile Lake, Queens County

Recreational Fishing Area 5
Trophy Fishery:

Open: April 1 to December 31

Conditions: Bag limit reduced to 3 bass, only 1 of which may be over 40 cm (16 in.), all fish 30-40 cm (12-16 in.) must be released, no bass may be retained from April 21 to June 10, and the use of natural bait is prohibited for this species.

Areas: Panuke Lake, Hants County
Black River Lake, Kings County
Methals Lake, Kings County
Little River Lake, Kings County

High Harvest Fishery:

Open: April 1 to December 31

Conditions: Bag limit increased to 10 bass, only 2 of which may be over 25 cm (10 in.).

Areas: Elliot Lake, Annapolis County
Lake George, Kings County
Gaspereau Lake, Kings County

Baddeck River, Victoria County:
Description:	Upstream from the 105 Highway bridge including the North Branch Baddeck River and Canes Pond, not including tributaries to those rivers.
Closed:	April 1 to May 14
Open:	May 15 to September 30
	Conditions:	Single hook lure or artificial fly only and the use of natural bait is prohibited.
	October 1 to October 31
	Conditions:	Rainbow trout only, artificial fly only. Bag limit of 5 fish.
Middle River, Victoria County:
Description:	Upstream from the 105 Highway bridge to the Cabot Trail highway bridge near Findlayson.
Closed:	April 1 to May 14
Open:	May 15 to September 30
	Conditions:	Single hook lure or artificial fly only and the use of natural bait is prohibited.
	October 1 to October 31
	Conditions:	Rainbow trout only, artificial fly only. Bag limit of 5 fish.
Cape Breton Highlands Management Area:
Description:	That area enclosed by the following boundaries: (1) the 105 Highway from the St. Ann's exit to the Cabot Trail to the Hunters Mountain exit to the Cabot Trail, (2) the Cabot Trail Highway, (3) the Victoria County line, and (4) the Cape Breton Highlands National Park boundary.
Closed:
Open:	April 1 to September 30
	Conditions:	Bag limit of 10 speckled trout, only 1 of which may be over 23 cm (9 in.) total length.
	Additional conditions apply to the following areas: Middle River and tributaries including Gold Brook, Leonard MacLeod Brook and Coldbrook. Baddeck River, North Branch Baddeck River and Canes Pond, not including tributaries to those rivers. North River downstream from a point at the benches marked by a fishery officer, not including tributaries. Barachois River, not including tributaries. Indian Brook downstream from the confluence of the east and west branches, not including tributaries. Ingonish River, not including tributaries.
	Conditions:	Bag limit will remain at 5 fish. From September 1 to September 30 no speckled trout may be retained, and the use of natural bait is prohibited.

West River, Antigonish County
Description:	Downstream from the bridge at the outlet of St. Joseph Lake on the Ohio River and downstream from the outlet of MacEacherns Lake, including the Cameron Lakes, on the Beaver River to a line drawn from Williams Point to a line drawn true North from grid reference 8350 5420 at Williams Point to the opposite shore (Antigonish reference map 11F-12).
Closed:	April 1 to May 14
Open:	May 15 to September 30
	Conditions:	Single hook lure or artificial fly only and the use of natural bait is prohibited. Bag limit is reduced to 1 fish (either brown or speckled trout) which must be 35 cm (14 in.) total length or larger. From September 1 to September 30 no speckled trout may be retained.
	October 1 to October 31
	Conditions:	Rainbow trout only, artificial fly only. Bag limit of 5 fish.

Special Provisions for Rainbow Trout:
Area	Open	Conditions
South River, Antigonish County	April 15 to October 31	Artificial fly only from October 1 to October 31
West River, Antigonish County	May 15 to October 31	Artificial fly only from October 1 to October 31
St. Francis Harbour River, Guysborough County	April 1 to October 31	Artificial fly only from October 1 to October 31

Blueberry Lake, Halifax County:
Description:	Blueberry Lake and tributaries including Blueberry Run to its confluence with but not including Big Indian Lake.
Conditions:	Catch and release, single hook lure or artificial fly only and the use of natural bait is prohibited.
East Taylor Bay Lake, Halifax County:
Description:	East Taylor Bay Lake, including all lakes and tributaries flowing onto East Taylor Bay Lake.
Conditions:	Open to angling with single hook lure or artificial fly only, and the use of natural bait is prohibited. Bag limit is reduced to 2 speckled trout, which must be 25 cm (10 in.) total length or larger.
Jacket Lake, Halifax County:
Conditions:	Catch and release, single hook lure or artificial fly only and the use of natural bait is prohibited.
Woodens River, Halifax County:
Description:	Downstream from the outflow of Hubley Big Lake, including all lakes and tributaries.
Conditions:	Catch and release, single hook lure or artificial fly only and the use of natural bait is prohibited.
Birch Hill Lake, East Duck Lake, Five Island Lake, Five Island Lake Run, Frederick Lake, Holland Marsh Lake, Hubley Big Lake, Lizard Lake and Sheldrake Lake:
Conditions:	Catch and release only, single hook lure or artificial fly only and the use of natural bait is prohibited.

Cornwallis River, Kings County:
Open:	April 1 to September 30
Conditions:	From South Bishop Road bridge downstream to the 101 Highway bridge: - closed to angling except with a single hook lure or artificial fly, the use of natural bait is prohibited. - bag limit reduced to 1 fish (either brown or speckled trout), which must be 35 cm (14 in.) total length or larger.

Harrison Lake, Cumberland County:
Open:	April 1 to September 30
Conditions:	Single hook lure or artificial fly only, and the use of natural bait is prohibited. Bag limit reduced to 1 fish (either brown or speckled trout), which must be 35 cm (14 in.) total length or larger. From September 1 to September 30 no speckled trout may be retained.
Stewiacke River, Colchester County:
Description:	Downstream from the CN Railway bridge near McKay Siding to the Highway 102 bridge.
Closed:	April 1 to May 10
Open:	May 11 to September 30
Conditions:	Single hook lure or artificial fly only, and the use of natural bait is prohibited. Bag limit reduced to 1 fish (either brown or speckled trout), which must be 35 cm (14 in.) total length or larger. From September 1 to September 30 no speckled trout may be retained.

Trophy Fishery:
Open:	April 1 to December 31
Conditions:	Bag limit reduced to 3 bass, only 1 of which may be over 40 cm (16 in.), all fish 30-40 cm (12-16 in.) must be released, no bass may be retained from April 21 to June 10, and the use of natural bait is prohibited for this species.
Areas:	Grand Lake, Halifax County
High Harvest Fishery:
Open:	April 1 to December 31
Conditions:	Bag limit increased to 10 bass, only 2 of which may be over 25 cm (10 in.).
Areas:	MicMac Lake, Halifax County Banook Lake, Halifax County Loon Lake, Halifax County Rocky Lake, Halifax County