Bulletins

Parks Canada will open the Northwest River in Terra Nova National Park to anglers on June 22 for a salmon quota of 100 fish (total). Parks Canada will continue to monitor the number of salmon returning to the Northwest River using the river’s counting fence, however the fishery will open concurrent with these efforts.

Please note that the Northwest River fishery will now follow Department of Fisheries and Oceans Environmental Protocol for fishery closures.

Parks Canada requires anglers to have both a provincial Newfoundland and Labrador Inland Salmon Licence and a National Park Salmon Licence to participate in the Northwest River recreational salmon fishery. The Newfoundland and Labrador Inland Salmon Licence must be purchased prior to picking up a National Park Salmon Licence. The National Park Salmon Licence is free of charge and will be available at the seasonal Northwest River Kiosk in the park. A full list of regulations will be provided to each angler. 

In 2001, salmon numbers observed in the Northwest River were alarmingly low with just 153 salmon passing through the counting fence. To deal with the declining salmon numbers and to increase the overall health of the Northwest River, a coalition of stakeholders, including Parks Canada, the Department of Fisheries and Oceans and local citizens formed the Northwest River Conservation Group. The combined efforts of this group have helped increase salmon numbers on the river and consequently allowed for a limited recreational salmon fishery to be held annually since 2003. Data from Parks Canada’s 2022 and 2023 monitoring programs illustrate the positive impact of this group’s efforts, with counts returning 624 and 630 salmon, respectively. However, the ongoing cooperation of recreational fishers is an essential factor in the continued success of the fishery.

Parks Canada is a leader in conservation. Canada’s network of protected areas has an important role to play by protecting and restoring healthy, resilient ecosystems and contributing to the recovery of species at risk. In managing the Northwest River within Terra Nova National Park, Parks Canada’s primary concern is to ensure the protection of the river’s ecological integrity and the health and long-term sustainability of its salmon population.

For information and updates, please contact Terra Nova National Park at 709-533-2801 or the Northwest River Kiosk at 709-235-0703.  Information is also provided on the Terra Nova National Park Facebook page as well as the Northwest River Conservation Group – Facebook page.

Information:
Ray Kenny
Public Relations Officer
Terra Nova National Park
Newfoundland East Field Unit
Parks Canada
709-764-4158
ray.kenny@pc.gc.ca
twitter.com/ParksCanadaNL
facebook.com/TerraNovaNP