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Nova Scotia / Nouvelle-Écosse
Province, Canada. Authority: Nova Scotia Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture - Inland Fisheries Division (Atlantic salmon seasons set by Fisheries and Oceans Canada).
2026 rules, checked on 23 September 2026.
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- Licence
- CA$156.08Salmon Fishing Licence - seasonal, non-residents 18+
- Next opening
- —
- Minimum sizes
- 68 cmStriped bass (Maritimes Region)
2026 season calendar
province-wide general season; no brook trout retained and no natural bait Sept 1-30; many RFA exceptions
catch and release only (Sherbrooke Lake, Dollar Lake)
mandatory retention east of the line
catch and release only; Margaree River June 1 - Oct 15/31
Solid bars: fishing allowed. Yellow line: today.
Minimum sizes
| Species | Minimum size | 0–70 cm |
|---|---|---|
| Landlocked salmon (open waters only)4 minimum fork length; all over 63 cm (24.8 in) released | 35 cm | |
| Striped bass (Maritimes Region)4 bag 1, 68-150 cm | 68 cm |
Bag limits
| Species | Fish you may keep |
|---|---|
| Trout (brook, brown, rainbow combined)4 general; many waters lower (1-3) | 5 per day |
| Atlantic salmon3 catch-and-release only, retain limit zero; daily release limit 4 (SFA 18) or 2 (SFA 19); barbless artificial flies only | 0 per day |
| Chain pickerel4 mandatory retention province-wide (invasive) | not published |
| Yellow perch / white perch4 yellow perch 25; white perch 10 (new 2026); lake whitefish 2 | 25 per day |
Licence
| Licence | Duration | Price |
|---|---|---|
| General Fishing Licence - seasonal, residents 18-64 (all species except salmon)1 | seasonal (April 1 - March 31) | CA$27.41 |
| General Fishing Licence - seasonal, residents 18-641 | annual | CA$27.41 |
| General Fishing Licence - seasonal, residents 65+1 | annual | CA$6.74 |
| General Fishing Licence - seasonal, non-residents 18+1 | annual | CA$34.55 |
| General Fishing Licence - 1-day, residents and non-residents 18+1 | 1-day | CA$13.04 |
| General Fishing Licence - residents and non-residents 16-171 | annual | CA$0 |
| Salmon Fishing Licence - seasonal, residents 18+ (valid June 1 - Oct 31, 2026)2 | season | CA$41.68 |
| Salmon Fishing Licence - seasonal, non-residents 18+2 | season | CA$156.08 |
| Salmon Fishing Licence - 7-day, non-residents 18+2 | 7-day | CA$63.15 |
| Salmon Fishing Licence - 1-day, residents and non-residents 18+2 | 1-day | CA$29.79 |
Buy the licence on novascotia.ca
- Ages and exemptions1
- No licence needed at 15 or younger; ages 16-17 (residents and non-residents) get general or salmon licences at no cost. Anglers 18+ with a disability may qualify for a free licence. No licence needed in tidal/salt water or legal private ponds. Report card must be returned within 7 days of season end.
Water categories
Recreational Fishing Areas (RFA 1-6) with waterbody exceptions; Special Management Areas.
Good to know
Two separate licences: General Fishing Licence (all species except salmon) and Salmon Fishing Licence (Atlantic salmon only). Atlantic salmon fishing in NS is catch-and-release only with barbless artificial flies; non-residents do not need a guide for salmon. No walleye or northern pike entries in the handbook's general season tables; chain pickerel and smallmouth bass (east) must be retained as invasive species.
What the authority does not publish
Points we could not find in the official texts: check with the authority.
- General Fishing Licence fee page does not print the year
- Non-resident 1-day general licence priced same as resident (single 1-day category)
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 Nova Scotia / Nouvelle-Écosse in 2026?
The “Salmon Fishing Licence - seasonal, non-residents 18+” licence costs CA$156.08 (season). Other options and prices are in the table above, with the official source.
What is the minimum size for largemouth bass in Nova Scotia / Nouvelle-Écosse?
Largemouth bass: 68 cm. Any smaller fish must be released immediately.
Official sources
- Apply for a General Fishing Licence (sportfishing) (accessed on 23 September 2026)
- Apply for a Salmon Fishing Licence (sportfishing) (accessed on 23 September 2026)
- 2026 Salmon Fishing Regulations Overview (accessed on 23 September 2026)
- Anglers' Handbook 2026 (accessed on 23 September 2026)
Last checked: 23 September 2026.
Other areas in Canada
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