Fish management and protection

This is a summary only that has been prepared to help you become familiar with fishing regulations in Kejimkujik.

Acid rain, intensive fishing and other problems have made the conservation of fish stocks a priority for Parks Canada. The research and management programs carried out by the Park are designed to ensure the preservation of our brook trout stocks.

We cannot achieve this on our own. We ask anglers to participate in our fish management program by observing all applicable fishing regulations.

New Regulations

Smallmouth Bass threaten the park boundary and Chain Pickerel have now invaded Kejimkujik. We are working to protect watersheds in the park and prevent further spread. In addition to our management efforts we have introduced new fishing regulations beginning in 2019 to help protect native fish: 

1) The entire park is catch and release of all native fish species.
a. You may not retain or possess any native fish species.
b. Native fish species include ALL species other than Chain pickerel and Smallmouth bass.
c. No person may possess Brook trout or any other native fish species within the park boundary.

2) Mandatory Retention of invasive Fish.
a. Please retain all Chain pickerel and Smallmouth bass.

3) All tackle may only include one barbless hook.
a. Either a true barbless hook or the barb must be pinched down on the hook.
b. No treble, gang or barbed hooks of any kind are allowed within the park.

4) No person shall use natural bait of any kind.
a. It is prohibited to possess natural bait of any kind, including earthworms.

Licensing

A National Parks Fishing Permit (license) is required to fish in all national parks. The only exception to this is that a person under 16 years of age may fish without a permit if accompanied by a person 16 years of age or older who is the holder of a valid National Park Fishing Permit. Yearly or daily permits are available.

Possession Limit

The entire park is catch and release of all native fish species. No person may possess Brook trout or any other native fish species within the park boundary. It is mandatory to retain all invasive fish which include Chain pickerel and Smallmouth bass. If you catch either invasive species in Kejimkujik, keep it, kill it and bring it to the Science Centre or Warden Office (first left as you enter the park).

Other Regulations

For a more detailed set of regulations, refer to the National Parks Fishing Regulations.

• Electronic fish finders are prohibited from use in all Park waters.
• The use of lead sinkers, jigs, weights or chemical attractants is prohibited.
• It is unlawful to angle with a line having more than one artificial fly or other type of bait (or any combination) attached.
• Lure, fly or bait cannot be capable of catching more than one fish at a time.
• Fishing is prohibited during the period from one hour after sunset to one hour before sunrise.
• It is illegal to place live fish eggs or live fish (other than a fish that has been caught from that water body) in Park waters or transfer live fish eggs or live fish between water bodies.
• It is illegal to possess any prohibited fishing equipment on or near Park waters.
• Outboard motors are not allowed on waterways or lakes other than Kejimkujik Lake and the Mersey River downstream from Kejimkujik Lake.

Angling Season

All waters April 1st to August 31st (except as below)

Grafton Brook - Closed waters
Rogers Brook - No season
Pebbleloggitch Lake - No season
Beaverskin Lake - No season
Mountain Lake - No season
Cobrielle Lake - No season
Kejimkujik Seaside - Closed to clamming

Where the first day of an open season falls on a Sunday or Monday in any year, the open season shall begin on the Saturday immediately preceding that Sunday or Monday.
Where the last day of an open season falls on a Friday or Saturday in any year, the open season shall end on the Sunday immediately following that Friday or Saturday.

Trout Tagging Program

Kejimkujik National Park and National Historic Site has undertaken a trout tagging program in an effort to determine trout movements and better define critical habitats. Several hundreds have been tagged with small, metal identification tags, which you may discover on trout caught within or near the Park.

Tags are attached to the gill cover, and are stamped with the letters “N.P.” and a four digit identification number.

When a tagged trout is caught, anglers can make a personal contribution to the fish management program. Please give the tag to a Park staff member along with the following information:
Name
Phone
Date
Fishing Location
Trout Length - must be measured accurately, from the tip of the nose to the fork in the tail
Tag Number
Angling Method - fly, live bait or lure

Fly fishing only zone and no fishing lakes

Almost half of Kejimkujik has been set aside as a fly fishing only zone. In this area, no artificial lures may be used. And as of 2019, no natural bait (including earthworms) is allowed anywhere in the park.

Fishing in the following lakes and brooks is NOT allowed:

NO FISHING
• Rogers Brook
• Grafton Brook
• Cobrielle Lake
• Mountain Lake
• Beaverskin Lake
• Pebbleloggittch Lake

A detailed map is included with your permit.

Notice

Traces of mercury have been detected in certain species of freshwater fish. For advisory information on the limits of consumption of freshwater sport fish please contact the
Nova Scotia Department of Environment and Labour at (902) 424 -2553