Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) will open the competitive, personal-use Atlantic mackerel bait fishery on August 17, 2026, in all mackerel fishing areas. An additional opening is tentatively scheduled for early October and will be communicated separately. These openings implement the additional bait fishing access announced by DFO on July 3, 2026. For additional information, please refer to the DFO News Release.
Participating harvesters will be restricted to a daily limit of 454 kg (1,000 lbs) to be fished by either gillnet or handline. Monitoring will be achieved using various measures, including a 100% hail-in requirement in all regions. Additional information related to conditions of licence, will be available through the National Online Licensing System.
Todd Williams
Chair
Atlantic Mackerel Advisory Committee