Fishing

Recreational fishing will be allowed by permit in Cape Breton Highlands National Park beginning April 15, 2023. Permits will be required in advance and all rules and regulations related to fishing in Cape Breton Highlands National Park are still in effect.

• National parks fishing regulations summary 2023
  
  • General angling
  • Atlantic salmon

Cape Breton Highlands National Park offers recreational fishing opportunities, in season, on its many lakes and streams. The most sought after species is the native brook or speckled trout. Atlantic salmon are also found in some park waters. Generally, the seasons run from April 15 through October 1, with catch and release during the month of September. Some of the waters within the park like the Clyburn Brook, the Chéticamp River and the Aspy River are scheduled for fly fishing only. Catch and possession limits are 5 for trout and 0 for salmon.

The park is required under national guiding principles and operating policies to ensure the highest degree of ecological integrity. Angling is permitted only under strict guidelines to ensure self-sustaining populations.

Before fishing in the national park, anglers should call ahead and confirm season dates and catch limits. There is a permit and license fee applied, along with equipment restrictions. Regulations differ in most cases from those for fishing in provincial waters outside the park. Visitors can get updated information from Parks Canada at the warden office by calling 902-285-2582.

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National parks fishing regulations summary 2023

When angling in Cape Breton Highlands National Park, it is unlawful to:

• Use anything other than a barbless (or pinched barb) single hook.
• Fish without a national park fishing permit and a park entry pass.
• Fish the scheduled portion of the Chéticamp River without a park salmon license.
• Fish by any means other than angling.
• Fish with any combination of hooks capable of catching more than one fish at a time or by foul hooking.
• Leave a fishing line unattended.
• Fish from one hour after sunset to one hour before sunrise.
• Use bait or retain speckled trout on any waters from after August 31st.
• Use or have in possession for use as bait, live or dead fish or any parts thereof, or transfer fish between water bodies. 
• Use or possess lead fishing sinkers or jigs.
• Fish by any means other than fly-fishing using artificial flies in scheduled waters.
• Use an artificial fly that incorporates a weight as an integral part of the artificial fly, or that is attached to a sinking line.
• Fish from bridges or use motorized watercraft.
• Use any chemical attractant in park waters.
• Use any natural bait other than earthworms.
• Fish after having retained or released the maximum daily limit.

Definitions

Angling means fishing with a hook and line held in the hand or with a hook, line and rod held in the hand but does not include fishing with a set line.
Artificial fly means a single hook on a common shank, dressed with silk, tinsel, wool, fur, feathers or other material, or any combination thereof, without a spinning device whether attached to the hook or line.
Chemical attractant means a chemical or scented substance that is used to attract fish.
Foul hooking means fishing with a hook or hooks attached to a line manipulated in such a manner as to pierce a fish in any part of its body other than its mouth.

Parks Canada wardens will be monitoring fishing activities throughout the season. Creel surveys will also be conducted.

National park boundaries extend to the mean high water mark where they follow the sea coast and include any tidal waters within water bodies that flow into the sea.

General fishing permit:
See prices
Children under 16 years of age do not require a General Fishing Permit if they are accompanied by a person 16 years of age or older who is in possession of a valid permit and the child’s catch is included with that of the permit holder.

Salmon angling permit:
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Persons solely angling for salmon require only a National Parks Salmon Angling Permit but must release all other fish caught unless they also have a General Fishing Permit.
Children under 16 years of age do not require a Salmon Angling Permit if they are accompanied by a person 16 years of age or older who is in possession of a valid permit and the child's catch and release limit is included with that of the permit holder.

Purchasing permits

Recreational fishing will be allowed by permit in Cape Breton Highlands National Park. Permits will be required in advance and all rules and regulations related to fishing in Cape Breton Highlands National Park are still in effect.

Fishing permits can be purchased in advance at the following participating locations:

• Chéticamp Co-op
• Donovan’s Rona
• Ingonish Home Hardware
• Leblanc’s General Store

Nova Scotia provincial regulations

A provincial fishing permit is not valid in the national park and is required for angling outside the park. For further information, call 902-295-2554 or 902-756-2298.

Note

This is not a complete listing of the National Parks Fishing Regulations and has no legal status. More information is available from:

• Park Wardens at 902-285-2582
• Department of Justice website

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General angling

Open seasons:
April 15 - October 1, 2023 – Except as noted below.

Scheduled waters (fly fishing only)
Chéticamp River (upstream of and including Terre Rouge Pool): May 20 to October 1
North Aspy River (section within national park): May 20 to August 31
Clyburn Brook (upstream from lower end of A-frame Pool): May 20 to August 31

All portions (including tributaries) of Clyburn Brook and North Aspy River within the park are CLOSED TO ALL ANGLING after August 31.

Methods:
Scheduled Waters: Fly fishing using artificial fly ONLY.
All other waters: Lure and/or natural bait (limited to earthworms) permitted.

September 1 to the end of all open season: Any Speckled Trout caught MUST BE RELEASED. The use of bait is also prohibited during this time.

Angling in all waters of Cape Breton Highlands National Park will be with barbless or pinched barb, single hook only.

Aggregate Catch and Possession Limits

Trout (speckled, brown, or rainbow), white perch, gaspereau, American eel, striped bass: 5 total (of any combination of these species, but only 1 striped bass)

Atlantic salmon: 0 (zero)
Striped bass: 1 (one)

From September 1 to the end of all open seasons:
Speckled trout: 0 (zero)

NOTE: Any fish that is not being retained must be immediately returned back into the water from which it came in a manner that causes the least harm to the fish.

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Atlantic salmon

Atlantic salmon angling is permitted on the scheduled waters of the Chéticamp River and its tributaries.

Season

Chéticamp River (from the park boundary at the Gulf of St. Lawrence to the lower end of Terre Rouge Pool): May 21 to October 1, 2023
Chéticamp River and tributaries (from the lower end of Terre Rouge Pool up to and including the Fence Pool): May 20 - October 31, 2023
Chéticamp River (upstream from the Fence Pool and up to and including Third Pool): May 20 to October 1, 2023

Salmon angling is not permitted upstream of the Third Pool.

That part of the Chéticamp River known as "The Barrel" is closed to all angling.

Angling for Atlantic salmon is only by fly-fishing with artificial fly only. Catch and release only. Barbless or pinched barb single hooks only.

Possession limit of Atlantic salmon is 0 (zero) 
Daily catch and release limit of salmon is 2 (two)

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Non-native species

Introductions of non-native species threaten aquatic plant and animal species, including native fish populations, and are a major concern to Parks Canada. Organisms such as Spinycheek crayfish (Orconectes limosus) are most likely spread by humans moving items such as dip nets between bodies of water.

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For provincial regulations contact the Nova Scotia Department of Natural Resources by calling 902-295-2554 in Baddeck and 902-756-2298 in Whycocomagh, or go to the Nova Scotia Department of Agriculture and Fisheries website to view a PDF version of the summary of regulations.