Photo : Maksim Sokolov (maxergon.com), CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
New Brunswick / Nouveau-Brunswick
Province, Canada. Authority : New Brunswick Department of Natural Resources and Energy Development - Fish and Wildlife.
2025 rules, checked on 23 September 2026.
- Licence
- CA$173Class 1 - Non-Resident Salmon (includes all other fish), 10+
- Next opening
- —
- Minimum sizes
- 45 cmLake trout
Useful gear for this area
Chosen from the species and size limits regulated in this area.
Responsible gearDigital Hanging Scale 50 kgTo check the minimum size: Brown trout 45 cm here.
€30.90£16.90Not shipped to the United States
Floating Spider Soft Lures, Pack of 6For : largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, chub · crankbait and hard-lure fishing
€33.90£19.90Not shipped to the United States
Rigging Accessory Assortment, 184 PiecesFor : roach, common bream, common carp · float fishing (waggler and stick float)
€27.90£13.90Not shipped to the United States
2025 season calendar
general season
general season
spring kelt Apr 15 - May 31 on main Restigouche boundary waters; hook-and-release only
open sport fish season
Solid bars: fishing allowed. Yellow line: today.
Minimum sizes
| Species | Minimum size | 0–60 cm |
|---|---|---|
| Lake trout1 minimum total length | 45 cm | |
| Brook trout1 minimum | 10 cm | |
| Brown / rainbow trout, Arctic char1 minimum | 15 cm |
To check the minimum size: Brown trout 45 cm here. Digital Hanging Scale 50 kg €30.90£16.90Not shipped to the United States
Bag limits
| Species | Fish you may keep |
|---|---|
| Trout combined1 no more than 2 lake trout | 5 per day |
| Atlantic salmon (sea-run)1 all sea-run Atlantic salmon and grilse must be live released; daily hook-and-release limits vary by river (e.g. Restigouche: 2 bright salmon / 5 spring kelt); barbless artificial flies required | 0 per day |
| Chain pickerel1 | 10 per day |
Licence
| Licence | Duration | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Class 9 - Resident Angling (except sea-run Atlantic salmon), 16-641 | season (April 15 - March 31 of following year) | CA$23 |
| Class 10 - Resident Angling 65 and over1 | season | CA$15 |
| Class 7 - Resident Salmon (includes all other fish), 16-641 | season | CA$36 |
| Class 8 - Resident Salmon, ages 10-15 and 65+1 | season | CA$20 |
| Class 1 - Non-Resident Salmon (includes all other fish), 10+2 | season | CA$173 |
| Class 2 - Non-Resident Salmon, 7-day2 | 7-day | CA$100 |
| Class 3 - Non-Resident Salmon, 3-day2 | 3-day | CA$53 |
| Class 4 - Non-Resident Angling (except sea-run Atlantic salmon), 16+2 | season | CA$64 |
| Class 5 - Non-Resident Angling, 7-day2 | 7-day | CA$41 |
| Class 6 - Non-Resident Angling, 3-day2 | 3-day | CA$30 |
Buy the licence on www2.gnb.ca
- Ages and exemptions2
- Under 16 (resident and non-resident): no licence required to angle for species other than sea-run Atlantic salmon (own bag limit). Under 16 may fish Atlantic salmon without licence if accompanied by a salmon licence holder (counts in holder's release limit); ages 10-15 wanting their own salmon limit must buy a salmon licence (non-residents subject to guide requirement). Costs include fish stocking fee and NB Wildlife Trust Fund conservation fees; tax not included. New Brunswick Outdoors Card number required to buy.
Water categories
Crown Reserve waters by draw; many waterbody exceptions (fly-fishing only, trout bag 0 after set dates).
Good to know
Atlantic salmon: separate salmon licence classes (1-3 non-resident, 7-8 resident, plus live-release classes 13-17); hook-and-release only for sea-run salmon, barbless artificial flies. Smallmouth bass invasive in the Miramichi watershed. No walleye or northern pike entries found in the Fish book tables consulted.
What the authority does not publish
Points we could not find in the official texts: check with the authority.
- gnb.ca protected by bot verification: pages read through web.archive.org copies of the official URLs
- 2026-27 Fish book not accessible; resident prices are 2025-26
- Non-resident price page undated (snapshot May 2026, matches 2025-26 book)
- Live-release salmon licence (classes 13-17) prices not found
- Direct e-licensing purchase URL not confirmed (link given = official 'Available Angling Licences' page)
- Guide requirement for non-resident salmon anglers not verified (official 'guide-requirements' page not read)
Rules change every year and can be amended during the season. Before fishing, check the text in force with the authority listed.
Frequently asked questions
How much is a fishing licence in New Brunswick / Nouveau-Brunswick in 2025?
The “Class 1 - Non-Resident Salmon (includes all other fish), 10+” licence costs CA$173 (season). Other options and prices are in the table above, with the official source.
What is the minimum size for brown trout in New Brunswick / Nouveau-Brunswick?
Brown trout: 45 cm. Any smaller fish must be released immediately.
Official sources
- NB Fish 2025-2026 - Fish Regulations Summary (read via web.archive.org copy of 2025-09-27, gnb.ca blocks automated access) (accessed on 23 September 2026)
- Non-Resident Angling Licences (read via web.archive.org copy of 2026-05-21) (accessed on 23 September 2026)
- Available Angling Licences (e-Licensing) (accessed on 23 September 2026)
Last checked : 23 September 2026.