Recreational Fisheries Notice

Moncton, NB – March 31, 2021 - Fisheries and Oceans Canada wishes to inform the public of the management measures for the clams recreational fishery in Gulf Region.

Eastern New Brunswick

• No more than 100 clams can be caught and retained, on any day, of all species combined from any or all of the following species: bar clam, bay quahaug, soft-shell clam and razor clam.

Prince Edward Island

• No more than 100 clams can be caught and retained, on any day, of all species combined from any or all of the following species: bar clam, bay quahaug, soft-shell clam and razor clam.

Here are the management measures that apply to the recreational clam fishery in the inland and tidal waters of the Maritime Provinces that border the gulf of St. Lawrence and the Northumberland Strait:

Eastern New Brunswick

Seasons

Inland and tidal waters of New Brunswick that border on the Gulf of St. Lawrence and Northumberland Strait, including that portion of Bay of Chaleur inside a line drawn 500 meters around Heron Island, will be open to recreational fishing for clams with hand and hand-held tools when not diving, for the following clam species on the following dates:

• Bar clams: from April 1^st to June 30^th and from September 1^st to December 31^st
• Bay quahaugs, soft-shell clams and razor clams: from April 1^st to December 31^st

Inland and tidal waters between Johnston Point and the Nova Scotia/New Brunswick border at Baie Verte, Westmorland County, will be open to recreational fishing for clams with hand and hand-held tools when not diving for the following clam species on the following dates:

• Bar clams, bay quahaugs, soft-shell clams and razor clams: from April 1^st to May 31^th and from October 2^nd to December 31^st

Minimum Lengths

• Bar clams: 102 mm
• Bay quahaugs: 50 mm
• Soft-shell clams: 50 mm
• Razor clams: no minimum length

Daily fishing limit

• 100 clams (in the aggregate from any or all of the following species: bar clam, bay quahaug, soft-shell clam and razor clam)

Gulf Nova Scotia

Seasons

Inland and tidal waters of that portion of Nova Scotia that borders on the Gulf of St. Lawrence and the Northumberland Strait:

• Bar clams, bay quahaugs, soft-shell clams and razor clams: from April 1^st to December 31^st

Minimum Lengths

• Bar clams: 102 mm
• Bay quahaugs: 50 mm
• Soft-shell clams: 50 mm
• Razor clams: no minimum length

Daily fishing limit

• 100 clams (in the aggregate from any or all of the following species: bar clam, bay quahaug, soft-shell clam and razor clam)

Prince Edward Island

Seasons

Inland and tidal waters of Prince Edward Island:

• Bar clams and razor clams: from  April 1^st to December 31^st
• Bay quahaugs: from July 18^th to November 30^th from sunrise to sunset (Closed on every Sunday) Closed year-round in East Hillsborough River.
• Soft-shell clams: from May 1^st to October 31^st from sunrise to sunset

Minimum Lengths

• Bar clams: 102 mm
• Bay quahaugs: 50 mm
• Soft-shell clams: 50 mm
• Razor clams: no minimum length

Daily fishing limit

• 100 clams (in the aggregate from any or all of the following species: bar clam, bay quahaug, soft-shell clam and razor clam)

Please note that recreational fishing for any of the clam species by any other method, including by diving, is closed for the entire season.

Fishing areas may be closed at any time to the harvest of clams due to bacterial and biotoxin levels. Please call the nearest Conservation and Protection Detachment or consult the Gulf Regions Orders Registry for up-to-date openings and closures before harvesting clams.

To report any suspicious fishing activity, please contact the nearest Fisheries and Oceans Canada office or call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.

For more information on this fishery, please contact:

Eastern New Brunswick – 1-506-395-7705

Gulf Nova Scotia – 1-902-735-7105

Prince Edward Island – 1-902-566-7844