FREDERICTON (GNB) – Anglers will be able to apply until March 3 to fish regular Crown reserve waters this summer. Draw results will be available March 27.

“Angling is a tradition for many New Brunswick families,” said Energy and Resource Development Minister Rick Doucet. “I encourage anglers to take advantage of the Crown reserve fishing opportunities and I wish all applicants good luck in the draw.”

Regular Crown reserve consists of 20 prime salmon stretches on the Miramichi and Restigouche river systems. Angling parties that are successful in the draw have access to their stretch for two angling days. The use of a fishing camp is included with 16 of these stretches at no additional cost.

Last year, 455 of the 742 applications to the draw were successful, resulting in 1,552 anglers (in parties of two or four) fishing on Crown waters.

This year, the regular Crown reserve angling season begins June 10 and ends Sept. 15. The daily and live release Crown reserve angling season is from June 1 to Sept. 15. Some exceptions to these dates apply depending on the stretch of water.

Anglers must obtain an Outdoors Card number to apply for a Crown reserve draw or to purchase an angling licence. The card is available through a free registration process that may be completed online, at participating licence vendors, or at Service New Brunswick centres. Crown reserve applications may be submitted online at the Department of Energy and Resource Development website or by contacting any district office.

The booking period for unsuccessful applicants in the regular Crown reserve draw is May 8-21. The first-come, first-served open booking period will be from June 5 to Sept. 15.

The latest information on salmon conservation measures for 2017 is available online or from any Department of Fisheries and Oceans office.

08-02-17