Newfoundland’s sea trout season runs from the start of February to early October, with the Waterford River a prime choice for early-season winter fly fishing. Flowing right through the heart of St. John’s, the river holds one of the planet’s densest populations of sea trout.
When can you fish for sea trout in NL?
Guided Sea-Trout. From early February until June, there are opportunities to pursue sea-run brown trout on the rivers and estuaries around St. John’s and the Avalon peninsula. These are “normal” brown trout who decide to exit their freshwater systems and go into the ocean to feed.
What is the best time to catch sea trout?
Sea trout can enter the river at any time from April onwards, but most will arrive in the summer and early autumn (June to October) and wait in deep pools or in areas of the river with good overhead tree cover until it is time to spawn. They are hard to see during the day and will tend to move at night.
Can you catch sea trout in the winter?
For most of the coldest part of winter the sea trout are as little active as possible and hold to areas that are warmest. They can be difficult to tempt on regular fly fishing equipment, but a good colorful large streamer, fished slowly can work a winter fish up.
Is Trouting open in Newfoundland?
The 2021 winter trout (or ice fishing) season opens Monday, Feb. 1 throughout most of Newfoundland and Labrador, and closes for one month on Apr.
Do sea trout have a season?
The close season for sea trout also begins on 1 November and runs until 2 April.
What is the best bait for sea trout?
The best bait for catching trout is live shrimp. Live fish such as mullet or pinfish and dead shrimp can also be effective. If the cork is removed and the sinker is replaced with a very small weight, it is called a “free shrimping” rig. The same types of bait can be used with this tackle.
Where is the best place to fish sea trout?
Key areas to focus on are estuaries which are the tidal mouth of a large river. This is where the tide meets the stream and sea trout will move down river during high tide and will feed in estuaries.
Do sea trout taste good?
It’s time to clean and cook this fish, because you’re going to love how it tastes. Speckled trout are very good to eat, and have a moderate-flaky, white meat. It is softer than other inshore fish, so it is important to not overcook it or it will become very mushy.
Can you keep sea trout caught in sea?
It is also illegal to sell sea trout that have been caught on a rod and line without the proper authorisation. Any sea trout caught inadvertently by a sea angler targeting other saltwater species must be returned to the sea as soon as possible in order to stay on the right side of the law.
Is 30 degrees too cold for trout fishing?
Trout are most actively feeding in comfortable water temperatures between 34 and 67 degrees Fahrenheit. Trout feeding picks up just as the water temperature rises one degree above 40, 45 and 49 degrees Fahrenheit, so taking the water temperature every hour is beneficial.
How cold is too cold for trout fishing?
65 Degrees Fahrenheit and Below
Any warmer and you run the risk of playing a fish to exhaustion. Any colder and those trout will become lock-jawed as they do their best to conserve energy.
Is sea trout the same as salmon trout?
Salmon (I) can be distinguished from large sea trout (II) by a more streamlined shape, concave tail, slimmer tail wrist, upper jaw reaching no further than rear of the eye, few if any black spots below lateral line, 10-15 (usually 11-13) scales counted obliquely forward from adipose fin to lateral line – trout have 13-
Is fishing season open in Newfoundland?
The 2022 salmon angling season for the island portion of the province opens June 1 and closes September 7.
Do trout bite this time of year?
A combination of rising temperatures and a sudden abundance of food make spring a great time for trout to actively feed. And when they’re actively feeding, they’re prime targets for lures, baits, and flies. But spring isn’t the only good time to fish for trout. In fact, you can catch trout year round!
How many trout can you keep in Newfoundland?
12 fish
Daily bag/possession limit/size restrictions
No limit. No limit. 12 fish which can be a combination of any of the species (speckled or ouananiche) or 2.25 kg round weight + 1 fish of any of those species, whichever is reached first. No ouananiche less than 20 centimeters (8 inches) can be retained.
Can you catch sea trout during the day?
Fishing for Running Sea Trout
In spring – and indeed at any time in the season when the river rises and becomes coloured, sea trout can be caught by day as they run up river. In bright sunny weather your best chance is to fish where there is plenty of tree cover.
Can you fish for sea trout at night?
You may catch sea trout during the day, and maybe at dusk, in coloured water but, for successful night fishing with the fly, the river should be running as clear as crystal. Sea trout will generally be most active, and most catchable, in the first hour or two of darkness, rarely before darkness has fallen.
Can you catch sea trout in the day?
If you do not like going out at night it is perfectly possible to catch sea trout during the day. An odd fish is taken when salmon or trout fishing, but you will catch more if you fish specially for them.
What size hooks for sea trout?
In general, trout hooks that are size 8 to 14 are going to be best. Always use barbless hooks for trout unless you plan to eat what you catch. Smaller hooks are always best for trout because they will see larger hooks if the water is clear enough.
What’s another name for sea trout?
Sea trout is the common name usually applied to anadromous (or sea-run) forms of brown trout (Salmo trutta), and is often referred to as Salmo trutta morpha trutta.