News release

Sportfishing Season Opens April 1

Fisheries and Aquaculture

The sportfishing season gets underway Saturday, April 1, in many lakes and rivers across Nova Scotia.

“Sportfishing is a fun activity and a great way to get outside for some solitude or time with family and friends,” said Steve Craig, Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture. “For Nova Scotians with mobility issues or other disabilities, there are barrier-free fishing sites so more people can enjoy this activity.”

There are 21 barrier-free sites across the province. Sites include different supports, such as accessible parking, flat fishing pads, benches or railings where anglers can cast a line.

Anglers at all lakes and rivers must respect bag limits and other regulations. They should also practise catch and release to help maintain healthy fish populations so the sport is available to future generations.

Anglers are encouraged to report invasive species to prevent their spread to other bodies of water. Invasive species such as chain pickerel can harm native species, ecosystems and biodiversity.

Quick Facts:

  • more than 400 lakes are stocked with trout from provincial fish hatcheries each year
  • people can buy a sportfishing licence online or at vendors across the province
  • general fishing licences are valid for all freshwater fish species except Atlantic salmon
  • more than 70,000 people participate in sportfishing each year in Nova Scotia
  • sportfishing contributes about $85 million to Nova Scotia’s economy

Additional Resources:

Sportfishing licence and other information: https://novascotia.ca/fish/sportfishing/

Anglers’ Handbook and 2023 Summary of Regulations: https://beta.novascotia.ca/sites/default/files/documents/1-2412/anglers-handbook-en.pdf

Barrier-free fishing sites: https://novascotia.ca/fish/sportfishing/site-mapping-tool/

Report an invasive species: https://nsinvasives.ca/report-an-invasive-species/