Fisheries and Land Resources is reminding anglers to follow public health guidelines for all COVID-19 alert levels during the upcoming salmon angling season, which opens June 1 and closes October 7. 

Salmon licences will still be available at retail vendors such as gas stations, convenience stores, and major chain stores. Anglers are not required to sign licences in-store upon purchase as usual, but must sign their licences before going onto rivers for the licence to be valid. Anglers who usually purchase licences from outdoor and sporting goods stores that are closed due to COVID-19 restrictions should check whether those stores offer contactless sales options. Online purchasing is not available.

Due to the Chief Medical Officer of Health’s current ban on non-essential travel to Newfoundland and Labrador, the department will not be issuing non-resident licences until further notice.

Outdoor recreational activities are important for the well-being and enjoyment of residents – approximately 110,000 residents of Newfoundland and Labrador participate in inland fishing activities across all species, the highest participation rate in Atlantic Canada.

To lower the risks associated with COVID-19 and to complement public health guidance for all alert levels, the Department of Fisheries and Land Resources will encourage anglers to:

• Keep all fishing groups limited to individuals with whom anglers already share close contact (i.e. those within your household bubble or double bubble);
• Limit angling to areas unlikely to attract large groups;
• Limit angling to day trips not requiring overnight camping – while travel throughout the province is not prohibited, it is not encouraged;
• Make infrequent trips to angling supply stores and use contactless shopping opportunities where available;
• Maintain social distance of two metres from others, both on land and in a boat. while angling;
• Wash your hands often, or use alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60 per cent alcohol, and avoid sharing supplies with others;
• Follow all municipal, provincial and federal closures such as parks or infrastructure; and
• Follow all provincial and federal angling regulations.

For more information, contact 709-637-2025 or wildlifelicence@gov.nl.ca.

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Media contact
Linda Skinner
Fisheries and Land Resources
709-637-2284, 632-8167
lindaskinner@gov.nl.ca