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The salmon angling season has now wrapped up in Quebec as well as Newfoundland and Labrador. There are a few days left on most New Brunswick rivers, and it’s still several weeks until the season closes in Nova Scotia. Recent rains have brought much needed water to many rivers, and there’s more in the forecast. Of course, anglers are hoping that a bump in water levels will bring in some fresh salmon.
This week’s blog has some updates from Maine, notable recognitions in New Brunswick, an exciting nature event in Nova Scotia (as well as some great images of salmon), and a season wrap-up from Newfoundland and Labrador.
Finally, a reminder that ASF is seeking proposals for the position of Rivernotes Editor next season. Learn more here!
From the Penobscot, Maine DMR’s Jason Valliere offers the following report:
“Fall colors are here! River temperatures have started the fall decline. We finally got a little rain. A few fish have started to move. The beginning of the final push to spawning grounds is on! See attached report for the latest numbers.”
Meanwhile, Jennifer Noll reports on the Lower Kennebec and the Lower Mainstem Androscoggin.
In New Brunswick, Program Director David Roth reports on several recognitions and offers an update on water conditions on the Miramichi.
“It was an important week for Atlantic salmon Conservation in New Brunswick, with an important announcement and numerous events honouring the achievements of several people in this field.
First, Fredericton Mayor Kate Rogers declared October 3rd as the official Atlantic Salmon Day in New Brunswick, acknowledging the species’ ecological and cultural heritage in the province and addressing the ongoing need to increase efforts to protect it.
Later the same day, this year’s Lieutenant Governor’s Award for Wild Atlantic Salmon Conservation was awarded to Mark Hambrook, acknowledging his relentless efforts throughout his career to protect Atlantic salmon in New Brunswick. Among many other positions over the decades, Mark was the president of the Miramichi Salmon Association before retiring from the role last year.”
“For the 8th time, the Bud and Peggy Bird Scholarship was given out this year to a graduate student directly engaged in research supporting wild Atlantic salmon conservation at the University of New Brunswick. This year’s recipient was Ph.D. candidate Ryan Hill for his radio tracking study of Atlantic salmon in relation to dam passage on the Wolastoq River. Ryan’s work will help to better understand how salmon approach and eventually pass Mactaquac dam and, specifically, where fish go if they fail to pass.
For the first time this year, the newly established Bud Bird Award in Salmon Conservation was presented by Butch Dalton, president of the Miramichi Salmon Association, to Vince Swazey for his many decade-long immense conservation contributions and tireless efforts in preserving the Miramichi River and its salmon.”
“Acknowledging the contributions of different individuals to better understand and protect Atlantic salmon across their entire distribution range is more important than ever, as reflected by the current conditions in New Brunswick’s rivers.
While the long-awaited rain has finally arrived in the province, the water levels in the rivers are slow to recover from the meagre conditions over the past months. Still, with the long-term weather forecast announcing more rain events, the positive trend in increasing water levels should continue, allowing fish that have remained in the estuaries to continue their journey to the spawning sites further upriver. The increase in water volume is drastically needed as catch reports on the rivers remain few and far between, and the counts at the protection barriers in the Miramichi headwaters report no changes either. The numbers from last week’s Rivernotes have not changed, with 44 fish counted at the Dungarvon Barrier and 43 fish at the Northwest Miramichi Barrier. The last reported fish at the fences date back to early September.”
There’s lots to share from Nova Scotia this week, starting with an announcement about an upcoming nature event and guided hike on the Margaree River. Nova Scotia Program Director Deirdre Green writes:
“The Nova Scotia Nature Trust, the Margaree Salmon Association, and the Atlantic Salmon Federation are thrilled to offer a one-of-a-kind opportunity to learn more about conservation in and near the Margaree River.
Join us on Saturday, October 19 for an Open House followed by guided walks along the famed Margaree River. We will learn more about the unique habitat and wonders of the area—and salmon, of course—that make this storied area, well, storied.
For more information and registration, visit the Nature Trust’s Upcoming Events page!”
Ann Angelidis, President of the Sackville Rivers Association shared this note about the Association’s recent dinner and auction:
“For the past 20 years, the Sackville Rivers Association has hosted a remarkable Dinner & Auction, and this year’s Oktoberfest was no exception. The Kinsmen and Kinettes served up a delicious meal, while the band 4 Strong Winds delighted guests with traditional Oktoberfest tunes. Attendees enjoyed wonderful food, lively music, and an evening full of fun, all while bidding on fantastic auction items.
This event was more than just a celebration—it was an opportunity to thank the communities within the Sackville watershed for their unwavering support of the association’s environmental efforts. From the headwaters in Mount Uniacke to the Bedford Basin, and from Hammonds Plains to Beaver Bank, community dedication fuels the SRA’s work in preserving and restoring our rivers and streams.
A special recognition goes to Damon Conrad, SRA’s environmental engineer, whose diligent work in restoring and protecting salmon habitats is invaluable. His efforts ensure that this urban river system continues to thrive for future generations.”
Angler Scott Thorpe writes:
“Low water here on the Margaree but the scenery is spectacular as always. We are taking advantage of the conditions to hike our favorite sections of the river and look at the structure that typically holds salmon.”
Michael Baytoff similarly reports on low water:
“Water levels on the Northwest Margaree are very low with few if any salmon holding in the pools. From Kingross all the way to Margaree Forks very few salmon. The Margaree of course a bit more water. The cool nights have provided good water temperatures though, between 58-60 F / 14-16 C.”
Finally, guide Tobias Gow shared a great picture of Richard Adel, 84, of New Jersey, with a fresh fall salmon on the Margaree. Tobias noted that the water is low, but there is some rain in the forecast and fish are starting to come in with the low water temperatures.
All salmon angling is now closed in Newfoundland and Labrador. Program Director Kim Thompson offers a season wrap-up as well as a report on the construction of a new fishway. She writes:
“Monday, October 7th marked the end of the 2024 recreational angling season in the province, with the close of the remaining rivers that were open to fall catch-and-release only. The 2024 summer season in NL was certainly warm with DFO issuing restrictions for morning angling only due to extremely high-water temperatures and/or low water levels as early as July 10th. Environment Canada meteorologist David Neil says Bonavista, Port aux Basques, Corner Brook, Gander, Terra Nova, Cartwright, L’Anse-au-Loup, and Nain all set records for the warmest summer in terms of the average temperature. Many people in the province installed air conditioning units in their homes this summer, when once upon a time all one had to do was open the windows for a northerly wind to blow in!
After 60 years and many repairs, DFO contracted the construction of new replacement fishway on the Lomond River, at the outlet of Bonne Bay Little Pond. Lomond River is a scheduled Atlantic salmon river located approximately 10 km west of Wiltondale and 2 km south of the Gros Morne National Park boundary. Construction spanned the 2023 salmon migration period, and the contractor implemented a fish relocation plan, in consultation with DFO, to move migrating salmon above the falls during this period. The new fishway consists of 25 pools and extends an overall travel distance of approximately 75 m. It has level entrance and exit pools and a continuous centreline slope of 11.35% for the remaining pools, each with a 280 to 410 mm drop between pool baffle floor elevations. The new structure ensures continued dependable operation for the yearly salmon migration upstream to spawning grounds, including supporting infrastructure and upgrades required for users to safely operate and maintain the facilities.”
