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Fishing in Canada
Nova Scotia Fishing: Where to Go and When
Nova Scotia's freshwater fishing is mostly brook, brown and rainbow trout, smallmouth bass, chain pickerel and perch in lakes and rivers, with about 200 lakes stocked each spring by the provincial hatchery program. Below: the main fishing regions, when each fish is in season, and what a fishing license costs for visitors from the US (C$34.55 a year).
Overview
Fishing in Nova Scotia
Atlantic salmon fishing is fly-only catch and release on a handful of rivers, led by Cape Breton's Margaree. In tidal water no license is needed, and striped bass is the headline target on rivers like the Stewiacke and Shubenacadie and along the Bay of Fundy and Northumberland Strait. From late summer to fall, licensed charters off northern Nova Scotia and Cape Breton run catch-and-release trips for giant Atlantic bluefin tuna.
Where to fish
Fishing regions in Nova Scotia
The main waters and what they hold, from the provincial tourism and fisheries sites.
Margaree River (Cape Breton)
Atlantic salmon, trout
Province's main salmon river: barbless-fly catch and release June 1-Oct 15 (upper main-stem sections to Oct 31); DFO has proposed new seasonal gear/closure rules for trout angling here.
Source: novascotia.ca
Stewiacke and Shubenacadie Rivers
Striped bass
Tidal rivers famous for striped bass; special quota and gear rules May 10-June 10.
Source: novascotia.ca
Bras d'Or Lakes channels (St. Patrick's, St. Andrews, Sydney River)
Brown and rainbow trout
Open all year for brown and rainbow trout, any gear.
Source: novascotia.ca
Cape Breton Highlands rivers (Middle, Baddeck, North, North Aspy)
Brook trout, Atlantic salmon
Special Trout Management Areas; Baddeck/Middle and lower North River also have fall catch-and-release salmon seasons.
Source: novascotia.ca
Northumberland Strait / St. Georges Bay (Ballantyne's Cove)
Atlantic bluefin tuna, striped bass
Licensed catch-and-release giant bluefin charters, roughly July-October; striped bass along the shore.
Source: novascotia.com
Upper Medway and LaHave Rivers (southwestern NS)
Brook trout, smallmouth bass
Special Trout Management Area sections; smallmouth bass mandatory retention in the West Branch LaHave from 2026.
Source: novascotia.ca
Seasons
When to fish in Nova Scotia
| Species | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brook, brown and rainbow trout | ||||||||||||
| Atlantic salmon | ||||||||||||
| Smallmouth bass | ||||||||||||
| Chain pickerel | ||||||||||||
| Striped bass | ||||||||||||
| Atlantic mackerel | ||||||||||||
| Atlantic bluefin tuna | ||||||||||||
| Lake trout |
Shaded months are when each fish is open or in season, from novascotia.ca, dfo-mpo.gc.ca. Seasons change by zone and by year, so check the current regulations for the water you fish.
Season details by species
- Brook, brown and rainbow trout: Inland Apr 1-Sep 30; Sep 1-30 no brook trout retention and no natural bait for trout. Some tidal areas open Apr 15.
- Atlantic salmon: Catch and release, barbless flies only; Margaree June 1-Oct 15/31, other open rivers mainly Sept-Oct.
- Smallmouth bass: Apr 1-Oct 31; some lakes extended to Dec 31; mandatory retention east of Hwy 102 from 2026.
- Chain pickerel: Follows trout season; mandatory retention province-wide (invasive).
- Striped bass: Tidal waters open all year (Maritimes Region), 1 fish 68-150 cm; part of Annapolis River closed Apr 1-June 30; inland follows trout season; Gulf Region rules set separately.
- Atlantic mackerel: Tidal waters Apr 1-Dec 31, no license, 20 per day.
- Atlantic bluefin tuna: Catch and release from DFO-licensed charters only, July 15-Dec 31 (Maritimes Region); main charter activity summer to fall.
- Lake trout: Apr 1-Sep 30, catch and release only.
Fishing license
Fishing license in Nova Scotia
Prices in Canadian dollars, from Nova Scotia Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture (Inland Fisheries Division).
| Province | Visitor annual | Visitor short-term | Other Canadians, annual | Resident annual | Tax |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nova Scotia | C$34.55 | C$13.04 (1-day) | same as visitor | C$27.41 | tax not stated |
- Who needs one: Everyone 16 and older, resident or non-resident, needs a General Fishing License to fish fresh water (plus a separate Salmon Fishing License for Atlantic salmon); anglers under 16 need no license, and 16-17 year olds get one free.
- Also required: Atlantic salmon in fresh water needs a separate Salmon Fishing License (non-resident: $156.08 season, $63.15 7-day, $29.79 1-day; resident: $41.68 season, $29.79 1-day). The General license is not valid for salmon. Both licenses require a report card within 7 days after the season ends.
- Guides and outfitters: Non-residents do not need a guide to fish in Nova Scotia, including for Atlantic salmon (guides recommended but optional).
- Salt water: No provincial license is needed to angle in tidal/salt water, but provincial and federal (DFO) seasons and bag limits still apply. Atlantic mackerel: no license, Apr 1-Dec 31, 20 per person per day (DFO Maritimes). Recreational shark fishing needs a DFO license. Atlantic bluefin tuna: individuals cannot get a recreational license; anglers fish only aboard a DFO-licensed charter (license held by a commercial bluefin license holder, covers everyone aboard), catch and release only, July 15-Dec 31 in NAFO areas 4VsWX and 5Z (DFO Maritimes). Waters on the Gulf side (Northumberland Strait, western Cape Breton) are managed by DFO Gulf Region.
- Salmon: All salmon fishing is catch and release (retention limit zero), barbless artificial flies only. 2026 open waters: Margaree River system June 1-Oct 15 (upper main-stem sections to Oct 31); Gulf Shore rivers (e.g., East and West Rivers Pictou, River Philip, Wallace, West and South Rivers Antigonish) Sept 1-Oct 31; Baddeck and Middle Rivers Oct 1-31; North River below 'The Benches' June 1-July 14 and Sept 1-Oct 31. Closed all year: Eastern Shore (SFA 20), Southwestern NS (SFA 21), Upper Bay of Fundy (SFA 22) and the rest of Cape Breton East. Daily release limit 4 in SFA 18, 2 in SFA 19. No tags; non-residents do not need a guide.
Every Nova Scotia license type and price · Compare all provinces
Charters and lodges
Fishing charters and lodges in Nova Scotia
We are adding charter captains, fishing guides and lodges in Nova Scotia next, listed A to Z the same way as our US towns, with direct phone numbers and no commission. Until then, the regions above are a good place to start your search.
Run a charter, guide service or lodge in Nova Scotia? Get listed free.
Crossing the border
Before you drive or fly up
The basics from the Canadian and US border agencies. All border notes.
Entering Canada: documents
Canada's border agency recommends US citizens travel with a valid passport; otherwise you need documents that together show your full name, date of birth and citizenship (such as a birth certificate or a US enhanced driver's license). A NEXUS card can also be used to enter Canada.
Source: cbsa-asfc.gc.ca
Returning to the US by land or water
US citizens 16 and older driving or boating back into the US need a valid passport, passport card, trusted traveler card (NEXUS, SENTRI or FAST) or an enhanced driver's license. Children under 16 can use a birth certificate or other proof of citizenship.
Source: cbp.gov
Flying home from Canada
For flights into the US from Canada, US citizens need a passport book or another approved document; the passport card is not valid for flights.
Source: travel.state.gov
Bait and Asian carps
Bait brought into Canada must be declared, and if the needed import permit isn't shown it will be seized and you may get a warning or penalty; provinces can also ban imported bait. Live Asian carps, or dead ones that have not been gutted, are banned for any use, bait included.
Source: cbsa-asfc.gc.ca
Questions
Nova Scotia fishing questions
How much is a fishing license in Nova Scotia for Americans?
A non-resident annual license is C$34.55, and a 1-day license is C$13.04. Every option and the rules are on the Nova Scotia fishing license page.
Do I need a guide to fish in Nova Scotia?
Non-residents do not need a guide to fish in Nova Scotia, including for Atlantic salmon (guides recommended but optional).
When is the fishing season in Nova Scotia?
It depends on the fish and the zone. The season table above shows the main months for brook, brown and rainbow trout, atlantic salmon, smallmouth bass, chain pickerel.
Do I need a license to fish in salt water in Nova Scotia?
No provincial license is needed to angle in tidal/salt water, but provincial and federal (DFO) seasons and bag limits still apply. Atlantic mackerel: no license, Apr 1-Dec 31, 20 per person per day (DFO Maritimes). Recreational shark fishing needs a DFO license. Atlantic bluefin tuna: individuals cannot get a recreational license; anglers fish only aboard a DFO-licensed charter (license held by a commercial bluefin license holder, covers everyone aboard), catch and release only, July 15-Dec 31 in NAFO areas 4VsWX and 5Z (DFO Maritimes). Waters on the Gulf side (Northumberland Strait, western Cape Breton) are managed by DFO Gulf Region.
Sources, checked October 2026:
From the blog: Fishing in Canada as an American
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