NB Fishing Guide 2024: Spots, Species & Deep Sea Adventures

Contents

Ultimate New Brunswick Fishing Guide: Reel In Salmon, Stripers & More

New Brunswick, a maritime province in eastern Canada, is a fishing paradise renowned for its diverse aquatic ecosystems, from the tidal waters of the Bay of Fundy to the legendary salmon rivers like the Miramichi and Restigouche. This comprehensive guide is designed for anglers, planning a fishing adventure in New Brunswick. It covers top fishing locations, target species, effective tactics, and essential logistics to ensure an unforgettable experience. Whether you’re a seasoned angler or a beginner, this guide aims to provide the most detailed resource available, helping you plan a trip that could rank as a top result for fishing enthusiasts searching from Berlin.

I. Saltwater Hotspots: Deep Sea & Bay Action

New Brunswick’s coastline offers thrilling saltwater fishing opportunities, with unique locations catering to different species and experiences.

Shediac: Mackerel and Coastal Adventures

Shediac, known as the “Lobster Capital of the World,” is located on the Northumberland Strait in southeastern New Brunswick. It’s a prime spot for mackerel fishing, especially from wharves like Pointe-du-Chêne. Anglers can cast from shore or book charters to target Atlantic mackerel, which are abundant during summer runs, typically from mid-July to October. Local reports suggest using jigs that mimic small fish schools, as mackerel often strike multiple hooks at once during peak runs. Charters like Seas The Day Charters (seasthedaycharters.ca) offer fishing trips, though they also focus on sightseeing and lobster experiences. For a unique twist, consider joining a lobster fishing tour with Shediac Bay Cruises (shediacbaycruises.ca), where you can learn to haul traps while enjoying the coastal scenery.

Bay of Fundy: Striped Bass and Deep-Sea Excitement

The Bay of Fundy, famous for its extreme tides, is a hotspot for striped bass fishing, particularly around St. Andrews and the Minas Basin. The tides, which can change by up to 50 feet, significantly influence fishing success. Anglers often target the incoming tide for the best striped bass action, using heavy drop-shot rigs with 1-3 pound sinkers and large hooks baited with herring. Charters like St. Andrews Sport Fishing Co. (standrewssportfishing.com) offer guided trips for striped bass, cod, haddock, and pollock, as well as shark catch-and-release excursions in partnership with the Canadian Shark Conservation Society. Shore fishing is also productive from mid-July to October, with local anglers reporting catches of striped bass up to 40 inches or more.

Ocean Gems: Grand Manan and Saint John

Grand Manan Island, located in the Bay of Fundy, offers opportunities to fish for various groundfish, though halibut fishing is less prominent than expected. Regulations indicate no daily limits on mackerel, herring, or squid, but deep-sea fishing tours are currently unavailable (grandmanannb.com). Anglers can still explore coastal waters for cod, pollock, and flounder. In Saint John, the Saint John River is renowned for shortnose sturgeon, with guided trips available through outfitters like East Coast Angler (eastcoastangler.ca). Sturgeon fishing is best from ice-out (March-April) and September until freeze-up, targeting these prehistoric fish in areas like “Sturgeon Alley” on the Kennebecasis River, a tributary of the Saint John.

II. River Legends: Salmon & Striped Bass

New Brunswick’s rivers are legendary for their Atlantic salmon and striped bass fisheries, attracting anglers from around the globe.

Miramichi River: Atlantic Salmon and Striped Bass Haven

The Miramichi River, often called the Atlantic salmon capital of the world, boasts the largest salmon runs in North America, with approximately 100,000 salmon entering annually (ledgesinn.com). Fly fishing is the primary method, with popular patterns like the Blue Charm, Black Bear, and Undertaker proving effective. The fishing season runs from April 15 to October 15, with spring salmon (kelts) active in April-May and bright salmon peaking in June and September. Doaktown is a hub for anglers, with W.W. Doak Fly Fishing Tackle Shop (wwdoak.com) offering a wide range of flies and expert advice. The river also supports a thriving striped bass population, estimated at 1.4 million in the estuary (wilsonscamps.nb.ca). Anglers can use spinning rods with lures like twitchbaits, flukes, or topwater plugs like the Yo-Zuri 3DB Pencil Popper. Curtis Miramichi River Outfitters in Blackville (curtismiramichioutfitters.com) provides gear, flies, and fly fishing courses, making it an ideal stop for visitors.

Restigouche River: Exclusive Salmon Fishing

The Restigouche River is famous for its large Atlantic salmon, with fish over 40 pounds landed annually (restigouchelodge.com). Much of the river is private or under Crown reserve, requiring special permits for access. Crown reserve stretches like Craven Gulch, Crooked Rapids, and Devil’s Half Acre offer 48-hour angling opportunities for residents, restricted to fly fishing with barbless flies (courtsnb-coursnb.ca). Public access is limited, but areas near Tidehead provide opportunities for fishing with a regular license. Lodges like Restigouche River Lodge and Larry’s Gulch offer guided trips and accommodations, with canoes used to access prime pools.

III. Lakes & Ice Fishing Havens

New Brunswick’s lakes offer excellent freshwater fishing, including unique ice fishing experiences during winter.

Grand Lake: Ice Fishing Destination

Grand Lake, located north of Gagetown, is a popular spot for ice fishing, particularly for chain pickerel, yellow perch, and occasionally landlocked salmon. Local derbies and tournaments attract anglers, with access points like Sand Point Road being well-known (newbrunswickfishing.com). Outfitters like Off The Charts Outfitters (tourismnewbrunswick.ca) provide heated ice fishing shelters and all necessary gear, making it accessible for beginners.

Trout Secrets: Harvey and Chamcook Lakes

Harvey Lake, in York County near Harvey Station, is noted for brook trout fishing, though smallmouth bass and yellow perch are also prevalent (fishbrain.com). Chamcook Lake, near St. Andrews, is known for brown trout, landlocked salmon, and lake trout, with trolling in deeper waters (up to 40 meters) being effective (newbrunswickfishing.com). Both lakes offer scenic settings and good fishing opportunities.

Hidden Gems: Crooked Creek and Eel Lake

Crooked Creek, near Riverside-Albert, is a scenic stream ideal for fly fishing rainbow and brook trout, with flies like the Royal Coachman being popular (newbrunswickfishing.com). Chain pickerel may also be present. Eel Lake, potentially in Charlotte County, is mentioned for muskie fishing, though specific data is limited. Muskellunge are more commonly targeted in the Saint John River system (newtofishingnb.ca).

IV. Target Species Tactics

Effective fishing in New Brunswick requires tailored tactics for each species, leveraging local conditions and regulations.

Striped Bass

Bay of Fundy: Fish during tide changes, particularly the incoming tide, using heavy drop-shot rigs with 1-3 pound sinkers and herring on 10/0 hooks. Shore fishing is productive from mid-July to October with jigs or spoons (fishncanada.com).
Miramichi River: Use spinning gear with twitchbaits, flukes, or topwater lures like the Yo-Zuri 3DB Pencil Popper. Jetty rigs or casting from boats near the Centennial Bridge are effective (fishncanada.com).

Atlantic Salmon

Fly fishing is mandatory for sea-run Atlantic salmon, with patterns like Blue Charm, Black Bear, and Undertaker effective in the Miramichi and Restigouche. In spring, fish from boats with wet flies; in summer and fall, wade with dry flies (ledgesinn.com).

Trout

Brook Trout: Fly fish in rivers and streams with dry flies (e.g., Adams, Elk Hair Caddis) or nymphs (e.g., Pheasant Tail) for brook trout in places like Crooked Creek.
Lake Trout: Troll in deeper lakes like Chamcook with spoons or plugs, targeting depths of 20-40 meters (newbrunswickfishing.com).

Oddballs

Squid Jigging: Use specialized squid jigs in coastal waters like the Bay of Fundy or Northumberland Strait, casting and retrieving to mimic prey movement (thejighead.com).
Smelt Dipping: Use dip nets in rivers during spring spawning runs or through the ice in winter, with a daily limit of 60 smelts (gnb.ca).
Crab Traps: Set traps in coastal waters for rock or snow crab, checking DFO regulations for seasons and limits (dfo-mpo.gc.ca).

V. Local Intel & Logistics

Planning a fishing trip to New Brunswick requires understanding local resources and regulations.

Bait & Gear

Cap-Pelé: This coastal town has bait shops catering to saltwater anglers, offering bait like herring and mackerel for striped bass and other species.
Doaktown: W.W. Doak Fly Fishing Tackle Shop (wwdoak.com) is a must-visit for fly fishing gear, with a focus on Atlantic salmon flies and expert advice.

Lodges

Country Haven (Miramichi): Offers 4-star cottages and guided fishing packages for salmon and striped bass (countryhavenmiramichi.com).
Larry’s Gulch (Restigouche): A historic lodge providing access to reserved salmon fishing waters (tourismnewbrunswick.ca).

Regulations Simplified

Anglers aged 16 and older need a recreational angling license for most waters, except tidal waters where no license is required for species like striped bass. Key regulations include:

Striped Bass: In the Miramichi River, a daily limit of 4 fish, 50-65 cm total length, using barbless hooks (glf.dfo-mpo.gc.ca).
Atlantic Salmon: Fly fishing only with barbless flies; no retention except for landlocked salmon (2 fish, 35 cm fork length).
Fish NB Days: June 7-8, 2025, and February 14-16, 2026, allow fishing without a license, but all other regulations apply (gnb.ca).

When to Go

Salmon Runs: Peak in June and September for bright salmon in the Miramichi and Restigouche.
Striped Bass Blitz: May and October are prime months for striped bass in the Bay of Fundy and Miramichi.

VI. Pro Tips for Newbies

Striped Bass in St. Andrews: Fish during tide changes with heavy jigs to target striped bass in the Bay of Fundy’s strong currents.
Miramichi Salmon: Hire a guide for pool rotations to maximize your chances of landing an Atlantic salmon, especially in private or Crown reserve waters.

VII. Planning Your Trip from Berlin

For anglers traveling from Berlin, Germany, New Brunswick is accessible via flights to Moncton or Fredericton, with connections through major hubs like Toronto or Montreal. From Berlin, expect a total travel time of 12-16 hours. Renting a car is recommended for accessing remote fishing spots. Outfitters like Restigouche River Lodge and Wilson’s Sporting Camps can arrange all-inclusive packages, including permits and guides. Check with Fisheries and Oceans Canada (dfo-mpo.gc.ca) for the latest regulations before your trip.

VIII. Species and Stocking Information

The following table summarizes key sport fish species and their regulations in New Brunswick for 2024:

Fish Species	Daily Bag Limit	Minimum Size	Season (2024)	Notes
Brook Trout	5	15 cm	April 15 – Sept 15	Stocked in various lakes
Brown Trout	2	35 cm	April 15 – Sept 15	Found in Chamcook Lake
Striped Bass	4 (Miramichi)	50-65 cm	April 15 – Oct 15	Barbless hooks required
Atlantic Salmon	0 (sea-run)	N/A	Closed (except landlocked)	Fly fishing only, live release
Chain Pickerel	10	10 cm	April 15 – Sept 15	Common in Grand Lake
Smelt	60	N/A	Year-round (tidal)	Popular for dipping in winter

Source: gnb.ca

IX. Conclusion

New Brunswick offers a world-class fishing experience, from the tidal waters of the Bay of Fundy to the salmon-rich rivers and serene lakes. This guide provides the detailed information needed to plan a successful trip, whether you’re targeting trophy salmon, battling striped bass, or exploring hidden gems. Always verify current regulations and conditions before your trip to ensure compliance and safety. With its natural beauty and abundant fish, New Brunswick is a must-visit destination for anglers.