Fishing

Fishing season at Kejimkujik is April 1 to August 31. A National Park Fishing Permit is required to fish in Kejimkujik.

Fishing has played a significant role historically in Kejimkujik, from the traditional food gathering of the Mi’kmaq to the guided fishing trips of the resort era. Fishing continues to be an important activity in this area. Kejimkujik’s rivers offer excellent fishing opportunities.

Fishing permit

A National Park Fishing Permit is required to fish in Kejimkujik. This is completely independent of a provincial fishing license. You can purchase either a daily permit or a seasonal permit. This permit extends to accompanying youth under 16 years old.

Cost: See prices

Where to get a fishing permit

Kejimkujik fishing permits will be available at the Visitor Centre as of Victoria Day Weekend.

Permits will be available at the following locations until then (and throughout the season):

• Home Hardware (Caledonia)
• Lequille Country Store (Lequille, near Annapolis Royal)
• Woods Wise Outfitters (Oakhill, near Bridgewater)

Your responsibilities

Review the Sportfish Management and Protection information

Familiarize yourself with the Sportfish Management and Protection information included with your fishing license. This brochure will provide you with information on the regulations governing fishing. Copies are available online, at the Visitor Centre and at Jakes Landing.

Observe all applicable fishing regulations

Kejimkujik Fishing Regulations

Keep an eye out for invasive species and tagged Brook trout

Information about species identification and how to spot a tagged trout 

Return your Angler Diary

Record and report your findings in your Angler Diary. Each returned diary receives a commemorative Kejimkujik Fish Management Volunteer Researcher crest, with a unique design each year.

Report angling violations

Call 1-877-852-3100 or 1-780-852-3100 to report angling violations (or other natural resource-related offences).

Research and management

Parks Canada strives to provide high quality angling experiences focusing on fish conservation, education and enjoyment of the park environment. The fish management program at Kejimkujik supports the protection and conduct of research in aquatic biodiversity, habitats and natural processes.

Climate change, pollutants, intensive fishing and the introduction of exotic or invasive species threaten Kejimkujik’s freshwater fish populations. Brook trout are particularly susceptible to these threats and are an ideal indicator of the ecological integrity of the whole freshwater ecosystem. Parks Canada’s research and management strategies at Kejimkujik focus on maintaining a healthy and viable brook trout population throughout Kejimkujik’s watersheds.

In 2018, Parks Canada confirmed the presence of the invasive chain pickerel in the park’s aquatic ecosystem. Chain pickerel are a predatory fish that can have significant negative effects on freshwater ecosystems. In additional to preying directly on brook trout, they also out-compete trout for food resources. For this reason, new Kejimkujik sport fishing rules were introduced in 2019.