The warm water protocol committee meets throughout the spring, summer, and fall to consider protocol guidelines for closing and reopening important cold water pools during angling season, in order to protect Atlantic salmon.

When water temperature is greater than 20°C but less than 23°C for two consecutive days, 32 key cold water pools are closed to fishing. Water temperatures are considered as well as water levels and fish behaviour. When water temperature exceeds 23°C for two consecutive days, morning-only fishing may be implemented elsewhere in the watershed.  

The warm water protocol committee is led by DFO and takes input from stakeholders into account when making decisions about protocols. The MSA and other committee participants share notices about closures via email and social media. The warm water protocol committee continues to work on enhancing communications about closures and reopenings to the general public and enforcement officers.

To learn more about Warm Water Protocols or to see if a closure is in effect, please visit the website below: