Fishing in Central Newfoundland
Explore fishing in the Central Newfoundland of Newfoundland and Labrador. Exploits River, Gander River, Red Indian Lake,
The Exploits River is the largest river on Newfoundland, offering exceptional Atlantic salmon fishing throughout its length. The river flows through Grand Falls-Windsor and into the Bay of Exploits, offering both guided and DIY fishing. Salmon in the 6-12 pound range are common.
1. Exploits River (Atlantic Salmon)
Grand Falls-Windsor areaThe Exploits River is the largest river on Newfoundland, offering exceptional Atlantic salmon fishing throughout its length. The river flows through Grand Falls-Windsor and into the Bay of Exploits, offering both guided and DIY fishing. Salmon in the 6-12 pound range are common.
2. Gander River (Atlantic Salmon, Brook Trout)
Gander areaThe Gander River offers exceptional Atlantic salmon and brook trout fishing in a beautiful wilderness setting. The clear, cold water and classic pools provide ideal habitat for salmon in the 6-12 pound range. The Gander is a favourite among fly anglers for its consistent runs.
3. Red Indian Lake (Brook Trout, Landlocked Salmon)
Red Indian Lake area, central NewfoundlandRed Indian Lake is a large lake in central Newfoundland offering brook trout and landlocked salmon fishing. The lake's cold, deep waters hold healthy fish populations and provide excellent boat fishing opportunities.
4. Beothuk Lake (Brook Trout, Landlocked Salmon)
Beothuk Lake area, central NewfoundlandBeothuk Lake offers brook trout and landlocked salmon fishing in central Newfoundland. Formerly known as Red Indian Lake's neighbour, it provides similar productive fishing in a remote setting.
5. Gander Lake (Brook Trout, Landlocked Salmon)
Gander areaGander Lake offers brook trout and landlocked salmon fishing. The large lake provides good boat fishing and is easily accessible from the Trans-Canada Highway.
6. Noel Paul's Brook (Brook Trout)
Noel Paul's Brook area, central NewfoundlandNoel Paul's Brook is a productive tributary of the Exploits River offering excellent brook trout fishing. This scenic stream holds healthy wild brook trout populations and provides good wading.
Boat Launch: Noel Paul's Brook →
7. Terra Nova River (Brook Trout, Salmon)
Terra Nova National ParkThe Terra Nova River offers excellent salmon and brook trout fishing within Terra Nova National Park. The river is well-managed and protected, with salmon in the 6-10 pound range common. The park offers camping and other outdoor activities.
Boat Launch: Terra Nova River →
8. Terra Nova Lake (Brook Trout)
Terra Nova National ParkTerra Nova Lake offers brook trout fishing in Terra Nova National Park. The lake provides good canoe and boat fishing in a beautiful protected park setting.
Boat Launch: Glovertown Marina →
9. Gambo River (Atlantic Salmon, Brook Trout)
Gambo areaThe Gambo River offers Atlantic salmon and brook trout fishing in eastern Newfoundland. A productive river with consistent salmon runs and good public access.
Boat Launch: Glovertown Marina →
10. Indian Bay Brook (Atlantic Salmon, Brook Trout)
Indian Bay area, eastern NewfoundlandIndian Bay Brook offers Atlantic salmon and brook trout fishing in eastern Newfoundland. A productive stream with good runs of salmon and sea-run brook trout.
11. Ragged Harbour River (Atlantic Salmon, Brook Trout)
Ragged Harbour area, Bonavista BayThe Ragged Harbour River offers Atlantic salmon and brook trout fishing in the Bonavista Bay region of eastern Newfoundland. A scenic coastal river with productive fishing.
12. Bonavista Bay (Cod, Flounder, Mackerel)
Bonavista Bay areaBonavista Bay offers mackerel, cod, and flounder fishing along the eastern coast of Newfoundland. The bay's many communities provide wharf and shore fishing access.
13. Bonavista Harbour (Brook Trout, Cod, Mackerel)
BonavistaBonavista Harbour offers mackerel, cod, and sea-run brook trout fishing from the historic town's wharves and shoreline. The nearby Cape Bonavista lighthouse provides a scenic backdrop.
14. Trinity Bay (Cod, Flounder, Mackerel)
Trinity Bay areaTrinity Bay offers mackerel, cod, and flounder fishing from numerous communities along its shores. The historic town of Trinity provides excellent shore fishing access and whale watching opportunities.
15. Random Island (Brook Trout, Cod, Mackerel)
Random Island area, Trinity BayRandom Island offers brook trout fishing in several ponds and streams, plus saltwater fishing for mackerel and cod in the surrounding waters of Trinity Bay.
16. Hodge's Cove (Cod, Mackerel)
Hodge's Cove area, Trinity BayHodge's Cove offers mackerel and cod fishing from the wharf in a scenic Trinity Bay community. A quiet, productive saltwater fishing spot.
17. Sound Island (Brook Trout, Cod, Mackerel)
Sound Island area, Placentia BaySound Island offers brook trout fishing in the ponds and streams of Placentia Bay, plus saltwater fishing for mackerel and cod around the island's shores.
18. Placentia Bay (Capelin, Cod, Flounder, Mackerel)
Placentia Bay areaPlacentia Bay offers excellent mackerel, cod, and flounder fishing from numerous communities along its extensive coastline. The bay is also known for its capelin runs in early summer.
19. Swift Current Brook (Brook Trout)
Swift Current area, Placentia BaySwift Current Brook offers brook trout fishing in eastern Newfoundland. A productive stream with good spring brook trout action.
Boat Launch: Swift Current Brook →
20. Barachois River (Atlantic Salmon, Brook Trout)
Barachois area, Placentia BayThe Barachois River offers brook trout and Atlantic salmon fishing. A scenic river with productive pools and good wading access.
Boat Launch: Marine Atlantic Vehicle Check-in →
21. Pipers Hole River (Atlantic Salmon, Brook Trout)
Pipers Hole area, Placentia BayThe Pipers Hole River offers Atlantic salmon and brook trout fishing in the Placentia Bay region. A productive river with consistent salmon runs.
Boat Launch: Pipers Hole River →
22. Little River (Placentia)
Little River area, Placentia BayThe Little River offers brook trout fishing in eastern Newfoundland. A smaller stream with good seasonal brook trout fishing.
Boat Launch: Conne River Slipway →
23. Northwest River (Placentia)
Northwest River area, Placentia BayThe Northwest River offers brook trout and Atlantic salmon fishing in the Placentia Bay region. A productive river with good access.
24. Come By Chance River (Brook Trout)
Come By Chance area, Placentia BayThe Come By Chance River offers brook trout fishing. A scenic stream with a memorable name and productive fishing.
Boat Launch: Come By Chance River →
25. Long Harbour River (Atlantic Salmon, Brook Trout)
Long Harbour area, Placentia BayThe Long Harbour River offers brook trout and Atlantic salmon fishing in the Placentia Bay region of eastern Newfoundland.
Boat Launch: Rencontre East Harbour Authority Slipway →
26. Clode Sound (Brook Trout, Cod, Mackerel)
Clode Sound area, Bonavista BayClode Sound offers mackerel, cod, and sea-run brook trout fishing in a long fjord-like inlet of Bonavista Bay. The sound's sheltered waters provide good boating and shore fishing.
Boat Launch: Deep Cove Marina →
27. Shoal Harbour River (Atlantic Salmon, Brook Trout)
Shoal Harbour area, Trinity BayThe Shoal Harbour River offers brook trout and Atlantic salmon fishing in central Newfoundland.
Boat Launch: Deep Cove Marina →
28. West River (Bonavista)
West River area, BonavistaThe West River offers brook trout and Atlantic salmon fishing in the Bonavista region of eastern Newfoundland.
Boat Launch: St. Barbe Ferry Service →
29. Southern Bay (Cod, Flounder, Mackerel)
Southern Bay area, BonavistaSouthern Bay offers mackerel, cod, and flounder fishing along the Bonavista Peninsula. The sheltered bay provides good shore fishing access.
30. Glovertown River (Atlantic Salmon, Brook Trout)
Glovertown area, Bonavista BayThe Glovertown River offers brook trout and Atlantic salmon fishing in the Bonavista Bay region of central Newfoundland.
Boat Launch: Glovertown Marina →
31. Alexander Bay (Cod, Mackerel)
Alexander Bay area, Bonavista BayAlexander Bay offers mackerel and cod fishing in a sheltered bay on the Bonavista Peninsula. The bay provides good wharf and shore fishing.
Boat Launch: Glovertown Marina →
32. Gambo Pond (Brook Trout)
Gambo areaGambo Pond offers brook trout fishing in central Newfoundland. A productive pond with healthy brook trout populations and good access.
Boat Launch: Glovertown Marina →
33. Lake St. John (NL)
Lake St. John area, central NewfoundlandLake St. John offers brook trout fishing in central Newfoundland. A scenic lake with good boat fishing.
- Arctic char (Insular NL) · Limit: 12 fish or 2.25 kg + 1 daily; possession 24 or 4.5 kg + 1
34. Abbotts Steady (Brook Trout, Atlantic Salmon, Cod, Mackerel, Flounder)
Abbotts Steady, Newfoundland and LabradorNamed lake in the Central Newfoundland region of Newfoundland and Labrador.
35. Amy's Lake (Brook Trout, Landlocked Salmon, NL)
Amy's Lake, Newfoundland and LabradorNamed lake in the Central Newfoundland region of Newfoundland and Labrador.
- Arctic char (Insular NL) · Limit: 12 fish or 2.25 kg + 1 daily; possession 24 or 4.5 kg + 1
36. Anchor Brook Waters (Brook Trout, Atlantic Salmon, Placentia, Salmon, Bonavista)
Anchor Brook Waters, Newfoundland and LabradorNamed lake in the Central Newfoundland region of Newfoundland and Labrador.
37. Anne Marie Lake (Brook Trout, Landlocked Salmon, NL)
Anne Marie Lake, Newfoundland and LabradorNamed lake in the Central Newfoundland region of Newfoundland and Labrador.
- Arctic char (Insular NL) · Limit: 12 fish or 2.25 kg + 1 daily; possession 24 or 4.5 kg + 1
Boat Launch: Anne Marie Lake →
38. Askel Lake (Brook Trout, Landlocked Salmon, NL)
Askel Lake, Newfoundland and LabradorNamed lake in the Central Newfoundland region of Newfoundland and Labrador.
- Arctic char (Insular NL) · Limit: 12 fish or 2.25 kg + 1 daily; possession 24 or 4.5 kg + 1
39. Baikie Lake (Brook Trout, Landlocked Salmon, NL)
Baikie Lake, Newfoundland and LabradorNamed lake in the Central Newfoundland region of Newfoundland and Labrador.
- Arctic char (Insular NL) · Limit: 12 fish or 2.25 kg + 1 daily; possession 24 or 4.5 kg + 1
40. Baker Lake (Brook Trout, Landlocked Salmon, NL)
Baker Lake, Newfoundland and LabradorNamed lake in the Central Newfoundland region of Newfoundland and Labrador.
- Arctic char (Insular NL) · Limit: 12 fish or 2.25 kg + 1 daily; possession 24 or 4.5 kg + 1
Fishing Tips for the Central Newfoundland
- Get a licence — All anglers need a valid fishing licence for your province — buy online before heading out.
- Check the weather & water conditions — always check forecasts and wind before heading out, especially on big water.
- Know the regulations — size and catch limits vary by water body in Newfoundland and Labrador; check the local regulations first.
- Best times — early morning and late evening are prime. Many Central Newfoundland waters fish best in spring and fall.
- Use the right gear — match your rod, line, and tackle to the species you're chasing and the water you're fishing.
More Regions in Newfoundland and Labrador
- Eastern Newfoundland (Avalon)
- Labrador
- Great Northern Peninsula
- Southern Newfoundland
- Western Newfoundland
Get CatchTales
Ready to start bragging? Download the app and hit the water.