Cape Breton Island 
New Brunswick and Nova Scotia are inviting residents and visitors to experience fishing without a license this weekend.
In New Brunswick, the upcoming Fish NB Days are scheduled for the first weekend of June, specifically June 7 and 8. During this event, no angling license will be required, but standard fishing regulations, such as catch limits and access restrictions, will still apply. Notably, this year, the province has removed the requirement for tagging landlocked salmon over 48 cm in length, and anglers do not require a salmon licence to retain landlocked salmon.
Nova Scotia offers a free sportfishing weekend on the same dates. Anglers can fish without a general license, although those targeting Atlantic salmon are still required to obtain a salmon fishing license. All other fishing regulations remain in effect.
The Nova Scotia Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture, in collaboration with the Department of Natural Resources, provides a Tackle Share program at six provincial parks. This program offers free access to fishing gear for park visitors, encouraging them to engage in sport fishing and enjoy the local natural beauty. Among the participating parks are Mira River, Bolyston, Dollar, Laurie, Smiley’s, and Ellenwood.
Both provinces are hosting fishing derbies this weekend, and you can participate without needing a license.
New Brunswick Fishing Derbies
- YMCA 2025 Annual Fishing Derby – June 7, 8:00 am – 2:00 pm @ 730 Foster Thurston Drive, Saint John
- HRAA’s Family Fishing Derby – June 6 to 8 @ Hammond River Conservation Center, 10 Porter Rd, Nauwigewauk
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Nova Scotia Fishing Derbies
- June 7, 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. @ Amaguadees Pond, Castle Bay, Eskasoni, Cape Breton County
- June 7, 7:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. @ Isaac Lake, Cumberland County
- June 7, 10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. @ McKeen Lake Lodge, Guysborough County
- June 7, 8:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. @ Hutts Lake, Chester Basin, Lunenburg County
- June 7, 8:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. @ Cunard Pond (behind Cunard Jr. High School), Halifax Regional Municipality
- June 7, 11:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. @ Cameron & Gillis Lakes, Pinevale, Antigonish County
- June 7, 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. @ 4911 Hwy 215, Noel, Hants County
- June 7, 8:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. @ Pothier Motors, Falmouth, Hants County
- June 7, 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. @ Barrington Municipal Exhibition Grounds, Shelburne County
- June 7, 10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. @ Church Point, 200 Bonnenfant Road, Digby County
- June 7, 8:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. @ Intersection Hwy 374 and Lochaber Mines Road, Halifax Regional Municipality
- June 7, 7:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. @ Loon Lake, Halifax Regional Municipality
- June 7, 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. @ Springhill Pit Pond, Cumberland County
- June 7, 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. @ Rawdon Gold Mines Campground, Hants County
- June 7, 8:30 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. @ Hibernia Guides Camp, 1st Christopher Lake, Queens County
- June 7, 7:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. @ MacKinnon’s Campground, East Lake Ainslie, Cape Breton County
- June 7, 7:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. @ East Loon Lake, Halifax Regional Municipality
- June 7, 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. @ Quarry Pond behind the Pictou Works Department building, Pictou County
- June 7, 6:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. @ Petit Lac, Inverness County
- June 8, 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. @ Spectacle Lake (West Dalhousie), Annapolis County
- June 8, 8:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. @ Robert’s Pond – 172 Cheticamp Back Road (private pond), Inverness County
- June 8, 8:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. @ Lake O’Law Provincial Park, Inverness County
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Re: Fishing Derby – East Loon Lake, NS
Pictured here (contact me if you want the photo) standing with her parents and grandparents is Charleigh who caught the biggest fish (youth 12 and under), a 1 pound, 9 ounce beauty she was able to catch during the derby on June 1.