Fishing / Angling
Kouchibouguac National Park
A permit issued by Kouchibouguac National Park is required to fish within the park's waters. Permits are available at the JRC Grocery (Saint-Louis-de-Kent).
Permit requirements
A National Parks Fishing permit is required to fish in all National Parks of Canada. The only exception is a person under 16 years of age who may fish without a permit if accompanied by a person 16 years of age or older who is the holder of a valid National Park Fishing permit. The catch of the person under 16 years of age must be included in the daily catch and possession limit of a licensed fisher.
Provincial fishing licences and permits are not valid in national parks.
Annual and daily fishing permits are available. Consult our fees for the costs associated with each of these permits.
Registration and reporting requirements
The park may require fishers to provide their catch for inspection and population inventory and/or submit catch reports before leaving the park.
Fishing seasons and catch limits
| Species | Catch and possession limit | Minimum size | Fishing season |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eastern brook trout (or speckled trout) | 5 | April 13 - September 15, 2024 | |
| American eel (summer season) | 10 (line or spear) | > 53 cm | May 15 - September 1, 2024 |
| American eel (winter season) |
10 (spear only) | > 20 cm |
December 13, 2024 - February 16, 2025 |
| Rainbow smelt | 60 | April 13 - December 1, 2024 | |
| Striped bass | 0 (Catch and release only) | June 29 - October 31, 2024 |
Any other fish species incidentally caught are required to be returned to the water immediately.
Creel census
Conservation staff are conducting annual creel census so as to gather data that will permit us to evaluate fish migration patterns, age structure of population, growth rates and the overall health of our trout population.
Trout fishers are encouraged to share information on their catches by sending the Conservation team a logbook at the end of the season.
Regulations pertaining to fishing in a national park of Canada
- You may not leave your fishing line unattended.
- Jigging or foul hooking (snagging) or catching a fish in parts of the body other than the mouth of the fish is illegal in National Parks.
- Tailers or gaff hooks are illegal to possess in National Parks.
- Possession of fishing equipment that is illegal or having fishing equipment near streams during closed seasons can result in seizure of said equipment.
- It is unlawful to fish with a line having more than one artificial fly or other type of bait (or any combination) attached. Lure/fly or bait cannot be capable of catching more than one fish at a time.
- It is unlawful to fish with a lure that has more than two single hooks or two gang hooks, or a single hook and one gang hook. Gang hooks cannot have more than three hooks on them.
- It is unlawful to fish with an artificial fly attached to a spinning device or natural bait.
- It is unlawful to fish in certain closed park waters that have been posted as such or to exceed the extent of fishing set out in that notice.
- Fishing is prohibited during the period from one hour after sunset to one hour before sunrise.
- Fishing permits may be suspended and seized by a park warden, who has reasonable grounds to believe that person a person who is the holder of a fishing permit has violated the National Park Fishing Regulations. A fishing permit will be returned after 30 days if no charge has been laid or if the person is acquitted of the alleged violation.
- It is illegal to use for bait or have in his/her possession in a Park live fish eggs or minnows.
- It is illegal to catch and retain more fish than indicated in the daily catch and possession limits set out in the regulations.
- The possession of any fish species cannot exceed one day’s legal catch.
- No person shall when fishing in park waters use a lead sinker or lead jig that weighs less than 50 g.
- Fishing within 100 metres of any fish counting fence or device is prohibited in National Parks. Areas where fishing is prohibited will be marked or signed accordingly.
- Incidental catch: Any other fish species incidentally caught are required to be returned immediately to the water.
The foregoing regulations are intended for the information and convenience of anglers who plan to fish in Kouchibouguac National Park of Canada. This summary may not reflect current regulations as modifications are made periodically. You may consult the complete regulations at a National Park office or online at: www.laws-lois.justice.gc.ca/PDF/C.R.C.,_c._1120.pdf
Note: You are required by law to provide your valid fishing permit, equipment, bait or fish to a Park Warden upon request, when fishing or in possession of fishing equipment in a National Park of Canada.
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