Miramichi River · access
Northumberland County, New Brunswick, Canada · Canada
- Doaktown / Southwest MiramichiThe centre of the salmon fishing and the location of the river's famous pools.
- Blackville / Northwest MiramichiSmaller, clearer water; the best dry-fly salmon water on the system.
- Cains River confluenceAutumn fish stack here; the classic late-season destination.
Licence and rules
Licence and rules. New Brunswick requires a salmon licence, and the Miramichi system is divided into Crown reserve and private/leased water. A large share of the best pools is leased by outfitters or clubs, so a day pass or a guided day is the honest way to fish them; Crown reserve water is open to anyone with a licence and a reservation in some zones. Catch limits for Atlantic salmon are set annually and have been one fish or zero retention in recent years — confirm before you travel.
Season
Salmon from mid-June to mid-October; brook trout fishing in the spring before the run
Flow
1,000–6,000 cfs; summer low water is the classic salmon condition
Summer low water is the classic condition because it concentrates salmon in the deeper pools and makes them visible. A rise after rain brings fresh fish in from the estuary and usually improves the fishing for two or three days, then the fish go off again as the water drops. Water temperature above 20°C in July and August is common in the lower river — salmon will hold but will not take, so fish early or wait for a cool night.