DFO Issues Variation Order: Closure June 5-9 for striped bass spawning

Notice

Striped bass spawning ground angling closure in the Northwest Miramichi River from June 5 to June 9, 2019

Moncton, New Brunswick – June 4, 2019 - Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) announced the dates of the closure of angling during the striped bass spawning period in 2019 in a portion of the Northwest Miramichi River.

From June 5 to June 9, 2019, angling will be prohibited from the bridge in Red Bank downriver approximately 6.5 km, to a line located in front of Williamstown Road and defined by two points as indicated on the following map:

Legend: The map below shows a close up view of the Northwest Miramichi River in the Red Bank to Cassilis area. The Red Bank-Sunny Corner bridge is visible on the lower left side of the map, and on the right side, the downstream boundary of the angling closure is indicated with a black line drawn between two points located about 6.5 km downriver from the bridge, in front of Williamstown road. The zone that will be closed is marked in red. Coordinates of the two points defining the line are: 46°57’26.265"N/ -65°45'18.871"N (north shore); and 46°57'2.992"N/ -65°45'4.531"W (south shore) (NAD 83)

striped bass

The Northwest Miramichi River estuary is the only confirmed successful spawning ground for striped bass in the entire southern Gulf of St. Lawrence, as established by DFO science. The closure of all angling in the area and during the time when the striped bass are most concentrated and actively spawning aims at ensuring the best success of spawning activities and the continuous health of the striped bass stock in the southern Gulf of St. Lawrence. With the exception of the area described above, the recreational fishery will remain open throughout the Miramichi river system during the striped bass spawning period.

Please refer to Gulf Variation Order 2019-035 for further details. The Orders Registry is available online at:

Orders Registry - Order summaries for existing fisheries

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

See the Notice to recreational anglers on the striped bass fishery in the southern Gulf of St. Lawrence in 2019

For more information on this fishery, please contact:

Frédéric Butruille
Regional Senior Fisheries Management Officer
Fisheries and Oceans Canada
Moncton, New Brunswick
506-851-7358

1 Comments

  1. Paul Cormier on June 10, 2019 at 5:58 am

    There was seven boats at one time yesterday fishing in the red bank area and yes below the bridge and no officer to be seen now where were they how come some people can fish on a close river and nothing is done