Subscribe & stay up-to-date with ASF
“We’ve had two 34-pounders,” Chris Sinclair said, while looking over the shelves in the 12 by 16 exposed wood building of Jack’s Fly Shop in Bathurst, NB. “The average fish weighed 26 lbs.”
Chris is the manager of the Restigouche River Lodge, in Mann Mountain Settlement, on the Restigouche River. It has been the hot spot at the start of this season, with more reports of landed fish than anywhere else.
We have reports of salmon in the rivers all around the Atlantic region, in this week’s edition of Rivernotes, but first we have an exciting announcement.
Salmon.info launched on June 2nd. In collaboration with the North Atlantic Salmon Fund, and a year in the making, the site is a comprehensive one-stop-shop for journalists and policy makers to have all of the information that they need about open net pen salmon farming.
“There’s conflicting information everywhere, so we compiled this website with over 300 sources: 300 peer-reviewed studies and reports, just to show the full picture of the harms of this industry,” said Kristen Noel, ASF’s Communications Director. “The industry claims to be a sustainable protein and that they don’t really have impacts on the environment. That’s just simply not true.”
Be sure to check it out.
And finally, with reports of Atlantic salmon back in North America, we will continue highlighting the best ways to handle our beloved fish.
Last week, we mentioned the importance of keeping fish submerged in water. This week we’re focusing on handling the fish properly, so we don’t strip the protective mucus membrane on their bodies.
“The mucus is the first line of defense,” said Valérie Ouellet, ASF’s Vice President of Research and Environment. “There are studies that show really clear pictures of the fungus growing where you can see the hand print.”
When that layer is removed, the fish become much more vulnerable to any pathogens in the water. So the best way to care for salmon is to keep them entirely submerged, keep handling to an absolute minimum, and to use just bare, wet hands when touching them.
This is just one other step in helping our salmon make it all the way up our rivers to spawn and grow a healthy population for the years to come.
In this week’s edition of Rivernotes, we have reports of salmon returning throughout our region, some great educational initiatives, reports on river conditions, a reminder for crown reserve draws, and a couple great photo submissions.
Charles Cusson, ASF’s Quebec Program Director, has a report about river conditions, and the first salmon caught in Quebec:
“Sur la plupart des cours d’eau en Gaspésie, la Côte-Nord (Moisie et Natashquan dépasse le 1 000 m3 par seconde) et dans le Bas St-Laurent, les débits sont encore assez forts et à la hausse. Les précipitations de la fin de semaine dernière assureront des niveaux d’eau plus encourageants par rapport aux mêmes dates en 2024.
Avec la nouvelle saison qui s’est amorcé à plusieurs endroits le 1er juin, je vous partage quelques détails afin de présenter un portrait plus réel des montaisons de 2024. Le bilan de l’exploitation du saumon au Québec 2024 révèle que dans les 39 rivières où des dénombrements ont été effectués, 11 369 saumons adultes ont été observés. Les captures totales par la pêche sportive se chiffrent à 8 038 saumons, dont 7 267 ont été remis à l’eau (90 %). Parmi les saumons pris et gardés (771), 557 étaient des petits (72 %) et 214 étaient des grands (28 %). Le MELCCFP applique depuis 2015 un taux de mortalité de 7 % lié à la remise à l’eau.
Au niveau de la pêche sportive en début de saison, le premier saumon de la saison a été remis à l’eau le 20 mai dernier sur la Matapédia et depuis ce temps quelques remise à l’eau ont été enregistré sur la Causapscal.
Vous trouverez ci-joint un tableau démontrant les détails des rivières de 2020 jusqu’à 2024 avec une donnée additionnelle, soit la valeur du seuil de conservation atteint (par rivière en million d’œufs déposé). Le seuil optimal, qui est le point de référence biologique basé sur des critères démographiques qui permettent de déterminer si une population doit être classée dans la zone saine ou pas. Il s’agit du niveau d’abondance qui permet d’être certain à 95% et plus que la population est dans une situation permettant un rendement maximal durable.
Au plaisir de se voir le long d’une rivière cet été et n’hésiter pas de partager vos expériences de pêches et vos photos pendant la saison 2025.
You can find the report in English:
“On most of the Gaspésie rivers, the North Shore (Moisie and Natashquan exceed 1,000 cubic meters per second) and in the Lower St-Lawrence and the Gaspé region, the flow rates are still quite strong and increasing. A good amount of rain blessed many areas last weekend and will ensure, going forward, more encouraging water levels compared to the same dates in 2024.
To present a more realistic portrait of the 2024 returns, the 2024 report on salmon exploitation in Quebec reveals that in the 39 rivers where counts were conducted, 11,369 adult salmon were observed. Total catches by sport fishing amounted to 8,038 salmon, of which 7,267 were released (90%). Of the salmon caught and retained (771), 557 were small (72%) and 214 were large (28%). Since 2015, the Quebec government biologists have applied a mortality rate of 7% linked to the practice of live release.
Also, you will find attached a table showing the details of the 39 rivers from 2020 to 2024 with additional data, namely the value of the optimal conservation threshold (per river in millions of eggs deposited) which is the biological reference point based on demographic criteria which make it possible to determine whether a population should be classified in the healthy zone or not. This is the level of abundance which makes it possible to be 95% or more certain that the population is in a situation allowing maximum sustainable yield.
In terms of sport fishing, on May 20th, the first salmon of the season was landed and released on the Matapedia, and we await news any day now about fish being angled on the town of Gaspé area rivers.
I wish you Tight Lines and memorable experiences with salmon 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.
Tight lines!”
In Newfoundland and Labrador, one fishing season has just opened, and students are being educated. With an exclusive film screening, some hands on experiences, and presentations, students in the province are learning a lot about salmon. Kim Thompson, ASF’s Program Director for Newfoundland and Labrador writes:
“The Atlantic salmon recreational fishery season for insular Newfoundland opened on Wild Salmon Day, Sunday, June 1st, with early reports of some fish showing up, but with slow fishing. Several watersheds in central and eastern Newfoundland are already seeing high water temperatures for June combined with low water levels. Precipitation is needed. Whereas rivers on the west coast of the island and the Northern Peninsula have great water levels and cool water temperatures, with snow yet to melt! Anglers are reminded that the Labrador opening is June 15th.
The future is bright for the next generation of wild salmon stewards and conservationists in our province. Thanks to the many incredible collaborations and community partners who are making it a priority to engage and educate our youth on the significance of conservation and restoration of wild Atlantic salmon. This commitment was on full display on Monday, June 2nd, when all students from Lewisporte Intermediate (grades 7–9), along with their teachers and invited family members, attended a special first-time screening of a new documentary co-produced by ASF, Rock / Plastic / Salmon, which included additional behind-the-scenes footage from last year with students on the Gander River. ASF extends special thanks to the students and their families for actively participating in the filming, as well as to Mr. Paul Wight and Principal Ms. Pam Cole for making this school-wide release possible.”
Kim continues:
“For the second year, as part of the Wild Salmon Watershed project on the Terra Nova River, FABEC is providing educational experiences based around the smolt wheel to schools in the area. The students witness science in action as they watch biologists and the FABEC team tag, measure, and release smolt upstream, using recapture rates to estimate run counts and assess the wheel’s efficiency. This data helps gauge a river’s productivity, as a healthy ecosystem supports a strong smolt run. These tags also help track migration routes. ASF and its partners have built decades-long datasets on iconic salmon rivers, offering invaluable insights into salmon populations and ecosystem health.”
Kim concludes:
“On the Avalon Peninsula, the newly established Watershed Stewardship Association for the Rocky, Colinet, and North Harbour Rivers hosted their first presentation towards the Education and Awareness project, funded by FCAS. The goal is to spread the message to help save salmon and trout.”
David Roth, ASF’s Program Director for New Brunswick, has collected some reports on the early season catches on New Brunswick rivers. He also has a reminder to make use of crown reserve waters.
“As predicted in last week’s Rivernotes, the first catch reports have started to come in. On the Miramichi, Scott Cormier landed his first fish of the season on the evening of June 1st, during his first outing of the year. After fishing for a couple of hours on the Northwest Branch without any success, Scott changed locations and hooked a beautiful multi-sea winter fish that could not resist a #2 Undertaker fly.
Scott Cormier with his fish caught on the Northwest Miramichi.
Several fish have also been caught in the ‘Land of the Giants,’ the Restigouche River. Chris Sinclair, the lodge manager at the Restigouche River Lodge, had a successful start to the season himself and reports that several big fish have been caught already. The largest catch so far belongs to Patrick Ruane, who is visiting from Scotland. His impressive fish measured a stunning 43.5 inches in length and had a girth of 23.5 inches, weighing an estimated 34 pounds.
With a length of 43.5” this is a fish of a lifetime for Patrick Ruane
Besides taking advantage of the public waters, this is also a reminder to use the regular and daily Crown Reserve waters for all resident New Brunswick anglers. Unclaimed stretches for regular Crown waters can now be booked online, and the application windows for daily stretches are also open. While the big runs have not started yet, the early dates offer a chance to encounter those large fish all anglers are dreaming of!
With the first catch reports of the season rolling in and water conditions looking perfect for this time of year, we are excited to see everyone back on the rivers again!”
In Nova Scotia, Tobias Gow of Early Riser Guiding in Cape Breton has a submission about the conditions in his part of the world, and an exciting start of the season. He writes:
“River levels in Cape Breton are getting on the low side with no rain in the forecast for atleast the next 7 days, the levels are slightly higher this June 1 compared to last year with the Margaree currently standing at .350 compared to .302 and so far, water temperatures are much better comparatively. We have already seen the first fish show up.”
In Maine, the fishways are recording passing fish, with some places, like the Penobscot River, recording 50 in two days.
Jason Valliere, a Marine Scientist with the Maine Department of Marine Resources, has a report from the Penobscot river:
“Things just started picking up at Milford, and then we got another dose of cold rain. River flows came back up, and river temperatures started dropping again. Shad and sea lamprey numbers responded negatively, however, it appears that the salmon, along with the rest of us, have had enough and decided it was time and started to show up! 50 in the past 2 days, including 3 more repeat spawners from 2023! Let’s hope the trend continues!”
Colby W. B. Bruchs, a Fisheries Scientist with the Maine Deptartment of Marine Resources has a report from the Narraguagus River:
“69 new American shad and a couple sea lamprey were captured this week. More rain = more discharge (again!); peak around 750 CFS this week. River temperature briefly increased to 18.0 oC only to drop to near 14 oC over the weekend. Observing smaller shad and smaller river herring indicating the run is tailing off. Warm temps and declining flows should push the remainder of the shad run upriver this coming week. Salmon soon!”
Jennifer Noll, a Marine Resource Scientist with the Maine Department of Marine Resources has a report from the Kennebac River:
“Over the last week weather conditions have really been highly variable – unseasonably cool and rainy on some days to dry and unseasonably hot on other days. Flow conditions in the lower Kennebec River reached a low river discharge of 6,470 cfs on May 29th and peaked at 21,800 cfs on June 1st. Currently the river flow is at 18,300 cfs, which falls between the 75% percentile discharge level (15,700 cfs) and the high of 86,800 cfs (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. Six new Atlantic salmon have been captured to date; the first two arrived on 5/30. The water temperature remains cool at 15°C.
Benton Falls fishway, the first fishway located on the Sebasticook River, a tributary to the Kennebec River, has been open since May 1st this year. The river temperature is 15°C.”
Jennifer also has a brief report from the Androscoggin River:
“Brunswick fishway, located in Brunswick, ME on the mainstem Androscoggin River, was opened May 1st this year. Flow conditions in the lower Androscoggin River reached a low river discharge of 5,320 cfs on May 30th and peaked at 19,300 cfs on June 1st. Currently, the river flow is at 18,200 cfs, which falls between the 75% percentile discharge level (8,240 cfs) and the high of 39,500 cfs (https://waterdata.usgs.gov, based on 96 years of data). The temperature is currently 15°C. No new Atlantic salmon have been captured to date.”