Subscribe & stay up-to-date with ASF
In a large hangar — with a retractable metal roof — on top of a vessel that was once a Labrador Sea icebreaker, students from around the world gathered for a viewing of “Rock | Plastic | Salmon.” They were on a two-week expedition on the “Polar Prince,” exploring the coastlines of northern Labrador.
“Think about the bays we’ve been in, and how beautiful they are,” Kim Thompson, ASF’s Program Director for Newfoundland and Labrador, remembers saying. “Imagine this amount of waste in the bays that we’ve seen.”
The film — a collaboration with ASF — exposes the aquaculture industry’s neglect for the environment along the coast of Newfoundland and Labrador.
“A lot of dialogue took place in terms of conservation, and advocacy, and questions about the future of the fisheries, particularly in Newfoundland,” Kim said.
Kim, Aimée Hopton, ASF’s Impact Officer, and Andrew Clarke, ASF’s Director of Conservation Campaigns were on the expedition as educators, but also as pod leaders. It was the 25th anniversary for “Students on Ice,” which brings students together from around the world with educators, scientists, Indigenous Elders, artists and leaders, to connect with the Arctic landscape and communities.
ASF had the opportunity to represent Atlantic salmon and the conservation efforts around our beloved fish. They taught the students about the life cycle of salmon, techniques for aging fish from scales, how to tie their own flies for the first time, and fish for Arctic char.
Aside from the breathtaking views, and the inspiring group of Elders and mentors on board, Kim was impressed by the students, and their genuine interest and passion.
“They have really bright futures,” she said. “They’re our next marine biologists, they’re our next artists/craftspeople. Conservation is top of mind for them.”
Kim, Aimée, and Andrew are now safely back home.
“It was amazing,” she said. “Maybe ‘amazing’ is not a strong enough word.”
In this week’s edition of Rivernotes, we have Kim’s final report from the 2025 Nunatsiavut to Nunavik Expedition. We also have reports from Quebec where the larger-than-expected grilse returns this year have people feeling hopeful. The Nova Scotia Salmon Association also submitted a report about the ongoing restoration work on the tributaries of the St. Mary’s River.
There are also river reports from Maine, Nova Scotia, and Newfoundland, including recent river angling closures and re-openings.
Also note, as we enter the slower part of the season, Rivernotes will be published twice a month for August. The next edition will be on August 14th.
People in Quebec are encouraged by the grilse numbers being reported so far this year. ASF’s Quebec Program Director, Charles Cusson, writes:
(English below)
“Les conditions d’eau sur nos rivières semblent être très bonnes pour les décomptes de mi-saison cette semaine. Des rapports encourageants continuent d’être partagés dans différentes régions de saumon du Québec et dans d’autres, le manque de saumon de 2 ans de mer inquiète les gestionnaires et pêcheurs. Cette situation n’est pas une surprise en raison du manque de madeleineaux au cours des deux dernières saisons. Cependant, la résurgence des madeleineaux dans de nombreux endroits est un signe prometteur pour la saison 2026. Les gestionnaires de rivières discuteront de leurs résultats de mi-saison avec les biologistes du gouvernement du Québec afin de déterminer comment se déroulera le reste de la saison.
Nous apprécions que les gens partagent leurs vécus et leurs aventures de pêche. Récemment, certains pêcheurs ont rapporté avoir capturé du Bar Rayé dans différentes zones de leurs rivières préférées. En tant qu’organisation de conservation du saumon atlantique, la FSA continue de collaborer avec différents niveaux de gouvernement sur cette question, et nous continuons de plaider en faveur d’une approche bien réfléchie et pratique pour gérer cette espèce indigène. Le MPO a pris certaines mesures pour remédier à la situation et nous les encourageons de coopérer avec les groupes gestionnaires qui partagent les mêmes idées pour assurer la durabilité de la pêche sportive sauvage au saumon atlantique.
Un groupe de rivières rapporte encore de bons résultats de pêche sportive avec une augmentation marquée des madeleineaux malgré des conditions d’eau plus basse. Comme indiqué précédemment, je publierai un graphique comparatif sur 5 ans représentant les données de mi-saison une fois que les données seront disponibles dans le prochain numéro d’échos des rivières le 14 aout prochain.
Au plaisir de se voir le long d’une rivière cet été et n’hésiter pas de partager vos expériences de pêches, vos observations et vos photos pendant la saison 2025.”
English:
“Conditions seem to be exceptionally good for counting salmon this week. Encouraging reports continue to be shared from different salmon regions in Quebec, and in others — the lack of 2 sea winter fish has people worried. This situation is not a surprise due to the lack of grilse over the last 2 ½ seasons. However, the resurgence in grilse in many places is a promising sign for the 2026 season. River managers will be discussing their individual mid-season assessment results with Quebec government biologists to determine how the remainder of the season will play out.
We appreciate people sharing their angling stories and adventures, recently some anglers have reported landing striped bass in different areas of their favourite rivers. As an organization, ASF continues to engage with different levels of government about this issue, and we continue to advocate for a well thought out and practical approach to managing this native species. DFO has taken steps to address the situation and is encouraged to seek out cooperation with like minded groups ensuring the sustainability of the wild Atlantic salmon sport fishery.
A group of rivers are still reporting good angling results and a marked increase of grilse, despite lower water conditions. As previously indicated, I will publish a comparative previous 5-year graph representing mid-season data once the data is available in the coming August 14th issue of River Notes.
I wish you Tight Lines and memorable experiences with Salmo this summer. Until then, I hope to meet you along a river this summer and please don’t hesitate to send me details of your fishing experiences and photos during the 2025 season.”
ASF’s Program Director for Newfoundland and Labrador, Kim Thompson, starts this week with news of rivers re-opening after a lot of rain throughout the province, as well as a wrap-up on her time on the Nunatsiavut to Nunavik Expedition 2025.
“Rain, showers, and more rain is forecasted for the week for the entire province. This allowed Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) to announce the re-opening of rivers to normal angling hours as of July 25th in Salmon Fishing Areas 3, 4 and 14A which includes Sop’s Arm, Exploits & tributary streams and Lomond Rivers. For more information, please visit the DFO In Season River Status website at DFO-Newfoundland and Labrador Region / MPO-Région de Terre-Neuve-et-Labrador. Aimee Hopton, Andrew Clarke and I have just wrapped up an unforgettable journey with the first-time partnership for ASF and Students on Ice (SOI) with the Nunatsiavut to Nunavik Expedition 2025. The ASF team known as “Team Salmon” joined youth, educators, scientists, and Indigenous leaders aboard the Polar Prince to lead some educational initiatives on Atlantic salmon conservation.”
“Throughout the expedition, participants took part in immersive workshops on Indigenous-led and global conservation efforts. Students engaged with hands-on science, like analyzing Arctic char scales under microscopes with SOI educators Paul, from the Canadian Museum of Nature, and myself. Youth learned how the rings on the scales, known as annuli, reveal the fish’s age and ecological influences. The connection between these fish and environmental stewardship was deepened further through a screening of the ASF’s powerful documentary “Rock | Plastic | Salmon,” which sparked important conversations on conservation, advocacy, and the future of fisheries in Newfoundland.”
“Our time together as part of this expedition concluded once we returned to Montreal. However, I will forever carry with me the experiences, knowledge, and relationships that we foraged together on this transformative journey. To the students, you are all inspirations with bright futures, as leaders, scientists, artists, ambassadors and stewards of the planet. These life changing moments reflect the spirit of collaboration and conservation that drives ASF’s mission and the SOI program. We’re proud to support the next generation of environmental stewards. On behalf of my colleagues, thank you Geoff Green, Tracy Moore and the entire SOI team and congratulations on your 25th anniversary.”
This week we also have a full report on the season so far from Dwight Lethbridge, owner of Pratt Falls Salmon Lodge on the Eagle River, Labrador. He writes:
“We started fairly early with the first fish hooked on the 19th of June. Four fish were hooked in an evening session, by two anglers on that day. On the 20th of June a torrential 2-day rain led to a full-blown flood, and we did not see a fish for 8 days while they flew in under a blanket of very big water. Once the river shed some water, we got rolling good in early July and experienced about 16-17 days of really strong runs, up until heavy rain on the 18th slowed the action. Slowed, but still good action continued once the water level crested again. We also noted a long-lasting run of large fish this year. Best ever results for several long-time repeat guests, and Dave, who fishes for 3-4 weeks here every year, hooked a personal record number of large salmon.
Presently, guests are all still hooking fish each day, but the high water has slowed the action. The weather overall has been wonderful with only one 5-day heat wave for the whole season. All other days have been cold to moderate. Water temperature broke 20°C for just a few days in mid July and has since been down to 15-16°C. Presently around 16°C.
After two years of really rough conditions and seemingly low runs, this year has renewed our faith in the Eagle and stocks. This year’s catch rates in camp will be significantly more than the last two years combined and undoubtedly one of our best years ever.”
With restoration work going on on the tributaries of the St. Mary’s, Nicholas MacInnis, Manager of Restoration Programs with the Nova Scotia Salmon Association (NSSA), submitted this report:
“Restoration in Full Swing on the St. Mary’s
The 2025 habitat restoration season is off to a strong start in Nova Scotia. A standout project this summer is the collaborative effort between the Antigonish Rivers Association (ARA) and the St. Mary’s River Association (SMRA), focused on restoring key tributaries of the St. Mary’s River — including Dort’s Brook, Barren Brook, Sutherlands Brook, and Cross Brook.
These tributaries were assessed by SMRA in 2023 and 2024 and selected for restoration due to their excellent water quality and temperature profiles. Follow-up assessments revealed a lack of quality spawning habitat and deep holding pools — both critical for wild Atlantic salmon.
To address this, crews have been hard at work installing digger logs and deflectors designed to scour out pools and create ideal spawning conditions. Since kicking off on June 1, the team has already installed 145 structures, with 45 more to go!”
ASF’s Program Director for Nova Scotia, Deirdre Green, provides updates and recommendations around the closed sections of the Margaree River, and reports on the low water levels being experience throughout the province. She writes:
“Margaree Warm Water Protocol Update
The Margaree Warm Water Protocol Committee met again this week under the leadership of Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) to review current conditions. While evening temperatures have cooled slightly, water levels remain critically low. As a result, Sections 1 and 3 of the river remain closed to angling.
The group emphasized the importance of ongoing outreach to both local anglers and visitors. While Section 2 is currently open, daytime water temperatures have regularly exceeded 20°C — a threshold known to stress Atlantic salmon. Many experienced and conservation-minded anglers are choosing to hold off during these warmer periods, regardless of access, out of respect for the fish and the river.
We encourage all anglers to stay informed and use good judgment. Just because a section is open doesn’t always mean conditions are suitable for fishing. Be sure to carry a thermometer, check water temperatures frequently, and reel up if in doubt.
The committee will continue to monitor trends in temperature, water levels, and forecasted conditions and will meet regularly to reassess the situation.
Water Levels Are Low Across Nova Scotia
This summer, the St. Mary’s main branch and many other rivers across the province are running exceptionally low—a reflection of prolonged heat and scarce rainfall.
This aligns with on-the-ground observations: residents note that water tables are historically low, and temperatures are pushing into the high 20s to near 30 °C with little meaningful rainfall in many areas.
We encourage everyone using rivers and streams to be extra thoughtful: low flows and high water temperatures are challenging for salmon. If you’re angling, carry a thermometer, check temps frequently, and choose to refrain if readings exceed safe thresholds.”
Like most places around the Atlantic region, Maine is experiencing warm weather and low water. Jennifer Noll, a Marine Resource Scientist with the Maine Department of Marine Resources Bureau of Sea Run Fisheries and Habitat, provides us with updates from the Kennebec and Androscoggin rivers:
“This week’s mean air temperatures were similar to the last three weeks’ – which varied between 65-75°Fs. Flow conditions in the lower Kennebec River were steady from the beginning of the week through the weekend then dropped Monday overnight. The low discharge for the week dipped to 2,440 cfs and the high peaked at 4,370 cfs. Currently the river flow is at 2,560 cfs, which falls out as the lowest discharge recorded at this site on this date (https://waterdata.usgs.gov, based on 39 years of data).
Lockwood fish lift, located in Waterville, ME at the first dam on the mainstem Kennebec River, opened on May 1st for the 2025 season. The trap has been operational the entire week. Fifty-six new Atlantic salmon have been captured to date; the first two arrived on 5/30. We’ve had a few special appearances so far this year – one wild female 3 sea-winter (89cm) on 6/8 and one wild female long absence repeat spawner (84.5cm) on 6/11. The water temperature has been hitting the lifting threshold for salmon which is 24.5°C daily throughout this past week.
Brunswick fishway, located in Brunswick, ME on the mainstem Androscoggin River, was opened May 1st this year. Flow conditions have continued to be variable for the middle part of this past week in the lower Androscoggin River, reaching a low of 2,100 cfs and a high of 4,200 cfs. Currently, the river flow is at 2,250 cfs, which falls between the minimum discharge level (557 cfs) and the 25th percentile discharge of 2,265 cfs (https://waterdata.usgs.gov, based on 96
years of data). The first Atlantic salmon at Brunswick in 2025 showed up on 6/13.”