Recreational Fisheries Notice

Moncton, New Brunswick – April 14, 2026 - Fisheries and Oceans Canada wishes to inform the public of the 2026 recreational groundfish fishing seasons in the waters adjacent to the Maritime Provinces in the southern Gulf of St. Lawrence.

Groundfish recreational fishing within 50 meters of the coastline

•    In the waters within 50 meters of the coastline adjacent to the Province of New Brunswick: From April 15 to October 1, 2026
•    In the waters within 50 meters of the coastline adjacent from the border of New Brunswick and Nova Scotia to the Government wharf at Auld’s Cove, Guysborough County, Nova Scotia and, from the old wharf at Creignish, Inverness County, Nova Scotia to Cape North, Victoria County Nova Scotia: From April 15 to October 1, 2026

Anglers will be able to retain, on any day, a total of fifteen (15) groundfish of all species in the aggregate except 0 (zero) Cod, White Hake, Skate, Haddock, Pollock, Atlantic Halibut, Northern Wolffish, Atlantic Wolffish, and Spotted Wolffish.

•    In the waters within 50 meters of the coastline adjacent to the Province of Prince Edward Island: From April 15 to October 1, 2026

Anglers will be able to retain, on any day, a total of five (5) groundfish of all species in the aggregate except 0 (zero) Cod, White Hake, Skate, Haddock, Pollock, Atlantic Halibut, Northern Wolffish, Atlantic Wolffish, and Spotted Wolffish.

Groundfish recreational fishing with access to Cod and White Hake

•    In the waters adjacent to the Province of New Brunswick: From sunrise to sunset each day from July 16 to August 21, 2026

•    In the waters adjacent to the Province of Nova Scotia from the border of New Brunswick and Nova Scotia to Cape North, Victoria County, Nova Scotia: From sunrise to sunset each day from August 1 to September 5, 2026

•    In the waters adjacent to the Province of Prince Edward Island: From sunrise to sunset each day from August 1 to September 5, 2026

Anglers will be able to retain, on any day, a bag limit of 15 (fifteen) groundfish of all species including a total of not more than 5 (five) Cod and/or White Hake in the aggregate, and 0 (zero) retention of Skate, Atlantic Halibut, Northern Wolffish, Atlantic Wolffish, and Spotted Wolffish.

Please refer to Gulf Variation Order 2026-011 for further details. The Orders Registry is available online at:  Orders Registry - Order summaries for existing fisheries

Anyone wishing to report suspicious fishing activity is asked to contact the nearest Fisheries and Oceans Canada office or to call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.

For more information on this fishery, please contact:

Eric LeBlanc
Regional Senior Fisheries Resource Management Officer
Fisheries and Oceans Canada
Moncton, New Brunswick
eric.leblanc@dfo-mpo.gc.ca