Fishing in the Saint John River Valley
Explore fishing in the Saint John River Valley of New Brunswick. Saint John River, Grand Lake, Mactaquac Lake, Washademo
The Saint John River through Fredericton offers excellent smallmouth bass, muskie, and striped bass fishing. The river is wide and deep here, with numerous islands and back channels providing prime habitat.
1. Saint John River (Fredericton Reach)
Fredericton areaThe upper Saint John River offers brook trout, smallmouth bass, and Atlantic salmon fishing. The dramatic Grand Falls gorge provides a spectacular fishing setting.
2. Grand Lake (Chain Pickerel, Smallmouth Bass, Striped Bass, White Perch)
Grand Lake area, New BrunswickGrand Lake is the largest lake in New Brunswick at over 25 km long. It offers outstanding smallmouth bass, chain pickerel, white perch, and striped bass fishing in a vast lake-wetland system.
3. Mactaquac Lake (Chain Pickerel, Muskie, Smallmouth Bass, Striped Bass)
Mactaquac area, New BrunswickMactaquac Lake is a large reservoir created by the Mactaquac Dam on the Saint John River. It offers smallmouth bass, muskie, chain pickerel, and striped bass fishing with excellent shoreline access at Mactaquac Provincial Park.
Boat Launch: Mactaquac Park Marina →
4. Washademoak Lake (Chain Pickerel, Smallmouth Bass, White Perch)
Washademoak areaWashademoak Lake is a large widening of the Saint John River for excellent smallmouth bass and chain pickerel fishing, this productive lake also holds white perch.
5. Belleisle Bay (Chain Pickerel, Smallmouth Bass, Striped Bass)
Belleisle areaBelleisle Bay is a long, narrow bay off the Saint John River offering smallmouth bass, chain pickerel, and striped bass fishing. The bay's sheltered waters provide good kayak and canoe fishing.
6. Kennebecasis River (Brook Trout, Smallmouth Bass, Striped Bass)
Kennebecasis area, New BrunswickThe Kennebecasis River flows into the Saint John River city of Saint John. It offers smallmouth bass, striped bass, and brook trout fishing in a scenic valley setting.
- Brook Trout · Limit: 5 (rivers/streams May 1-Sep 15; lakes May 15-Sep 15) · Minimum 10 cm
Boat Launch: Kennebecasis River →
7. Aroostook River (Brook Trout, Smallmouth Bass)
Aroostook area, New BrunswickThe Aroostook River forms part of the border with Maine and flows into the Saint John River. It offers excellent brook trout and smallmouth bass fishing in a remote, scenic setting.
- Brook Trout · Limit: 5 (rivers/streams May 1-Sep 15; lakes May 15-Sep 15) · Minimum 10 cm
8. Tobique River (Atlantic Salmon, Brook Trout, Smallmouth Bass)
Tobique area, New BrunswickThe Tobique River is a major tributary of the Saint John River, offering Atlantic salmon, brook trout, and smallmouth bass fishing. This productive river is known for its excellent salmon runs.
- Atlantic Salmon · Limit: hook and release limits apply · Barbless artificial flies only
- Brook Trout · Limit: 5 (rivers/streams May 1-Sep 15; lakes May 15-Sep 15) · Minimum 10 cm
9. Serpentine River (NB)
Tobique areaThe Serpentine River is a tributary of the Tobique offering brook trout and Atlantic salmon fishing in a wilderness setting.
- Arctic Char / Brown Trout / Rainbow Trout · Limit: as per summary · Minimum 15 cm
10. Wapske River (Atlantic Salmon, Brook Trout)
Tobique areaThe Wapske River offers brook trout and Atlantic salmon fishing in the Tobique watershed. A productive tributary with good wading access.
- Atlantic Salmon · Limit: hook and release limits apply · Barbless artificial flies only
- Brook Trout · Limit: 5 (rivers/streams May 1-Sep 15; lakes May 15-Sep 15) · Minimum 10 cm
11. Mamozekel River (Atlantic Salmon, Brook Trout)
Tobique areaThe Mamozekel River offers brook trout and Atlantic salmon fishing in the upper Saint John River watershed.
- Atlantic Salmon · Limit: hook and release limits apply · Barbless artificial flies only
- Brook Trout · Limit: 5 (rivers/streams May 1-Sep 15; lakes May 15-Sep 15) · Minimum 10 cm
12. Shikatehawk River (Brook Trout, Smallmouth Bass)
Shikatehawk areaThe Shikatehawk River offers brook trout and smallmouth bass fishing in the Saint John River valley.
- Brook Trout · Limit: 5 (rivers/streams May 1-Sep 15; lakes May 15-Sep 15) · Minimum 10 cm
13. Meduxnekeag River (Brook Trout, Smallmouth Bass)
Woodstock areaThe Meduxnekeag River flows through Woodstock and offers brook trout and smallmouth bass fishing. This productive stream runs through agricultural and forested areas.
- Brook Trout · Limit: 5 (rivers/streams May 1-Sep 15; lakes May 15-Sep 15) · Minimum 10 cm
Boat Launch: Meduxnekeag River →
14. Becaguimec River (Brook Trout, Smallmouth Bass)
Bath areaThe Becaguimec River offers brook trout and smallmouth bass fishing in the Saint John River valley.
- Brook Trout · Limit: 5 (rivers/streams May 1-Sep 15; lakes May 15-Sep 15) · Minimum 10 cm
15. Eel River (Saint John)
Eel River areaThe Eel River offers brook trout and Atlantic salmon fishing in the upper Saint John watershed.
16. Nashwaak River (Atlantic Salmon, Brook Trout)
Nashwaak area, New BrunswickThe Nashwaak River is a major tributary joining the Saint John River at Fredericton. It offers excellent Atlantic salmon and brook trout fishing with good public access for wading.
- Atlantic Salmon · Limit: hook and release limits apply · Barbless artificial flies only
- Brook Trout · Limit: 5 (rivers/streams May 1-Sep 15; lakes May 15-Sep 15) · Minimum 10 cm
17. Tay River (NB)
Tay area, New BrunswickThe Tay River offers brook trout and Atlantic salmon fishing. A productive tributary of the Nashwaak system.
- Arctic Char / Brown Trout / Rainbow Trout · Limit: as per summary · Minimum 15 cm
18. Rocky Brook (Saint John)
Rocky Brook areaRocky Brook offers brook trout fishing in the Saint John River watershed.
19. Keswick River (Atlantic Salmon, Brook Trout)
Keswick area, New BrunswickThe Keswick River offers brook trout and Atlantic salmon fishing. A scenic river with good wading access.
- Atlantic Salmon · Limit: hook and release limits apply · Barbless artificial flies only
- Brook Trout · Limit: 5 (rivers/streams May 1-Sep 15; lakes May 15-Sep 15) · Minimum 10 cm
Boat Launch: Mactaquac Park Marina →
20. Lakeville Lake (Brook Trout, Smallmouth Bass)
Lakeville areaLakeville Lake offers brook trout and smallmouth bass fishing in the Saint John River valley.
- Brook Trout · Limit: 5 (rivers/streams May 1-Sep 15; lakes May 15-Sep 15) · Minimum 10 cm
21. French Lake (Chain Pickerel, Smallmouth Bass)
French Lake areaFrench Lake offers smallmouth bass and chain pickerel fishing in the Grand Lake system.
22. Little Lake (Grand Lake)
Grand Lake areaLittle Lake offers smallmouth bass and white perch fishing in the Saint John River system.
23. Maquapit Lake (Chain Pickerel, Smallmouth Bass)
Maquapit areaMaquapit Lake offers smallmouth bass and chain pickerel fishing in the Grand Lake region.
24. Indian Lake (NB)
Indian Lake areaIndian Lake offers brook trout and smallmouth bass fishing in the Saint John River valley.
- Arctic Char / Brown Trout / Rainbow Trout · Limit: as per summary · Minimum 15 cm
25. McAdam Lake (Brook Trout)
McAdam areaMcAdam Lake offers brook trout fishing in southwestern New Brunswick.
- Brook Trout · Limit: 5 (rivers/streams May 1-Sep 15; lakes May 15-Sep 15) · Minimum 10 cm
26. Chamcook Lake (Brook Trout, Smallmouth Bass, White Perch)
Chamcook area, New BrunswickChamcook Lake offers brook trout, smallmouth bass, and white perch fishing.
- Brook Trout · Limit: 5 (rivers/streams May 1-Sep 15; lakes May 15-Sep 15) · Minimum 10 cm
27. Magaguadavic River (Atlantic Salmon, Brook Trout, Smallmouth Bass)
Magaguadavic areaThe Magaguadavic River flows into the Bay of Fundy and offers brook trout, Atlantic salmon, and smallmouth bass fishing in a scenic river valley.
- Atlantic Salmon · Limit: hook and release limits apply · Barbless artificial flies only
- Brook Trout · Limit: 5 (rivers/streams May 1-Sep 15; lakes May 15-Sep 15) · Minimum 10 cm
28. Digdeguash River (Atlantic Salmon, Brook Trout)
Digdeguash areaThe Digdeguash River offers brook trout and Atlantic salmon fishing in southwestern New Brunswick.
- Atlantic Salmon · Limit: hook and release limits apply · Barbless artificial flies only
- Brook Trout · Limit: 5 (rivers/streams May 1-Sep 15; lakes May 15-Sep 15) · Minimum 10 cm
29. Saint Croix River (NB)
Saint Croix area, US borderThe Saint Croix River forms the border with Maine and offers smallmouth bass, brook trout, and striped bass fishing. This large river provides diverse fishing opportunities along the border.
- Arctic Char / Brown Trout / Rainbow Trout · Limit: as per summary · Minimum 15 cm
30. Canoose River (Atlantic Salmon, Brook Trout)
Canoose areaThe Canoose River offers brook trout and Atlantic salmon fishing in southwestern New Brunswick.
- Atlantic Salmon · Limit: hook and release limits apply · Barbless artificial flies only
- Brook Trout · Limit: 5 (rivers/streams May 1-Sep 15; lakes May 15-Sep 15) · Minimum 10 cm
31. Dennison River (Brook Trout)
Dennison areaThe Dennison River offers brook trout fishing in southwestern New Brunswick.
- Brook Trout · Limit: 5 (rivers/streams May 1-Sep 15; lakes May 15-Sep 15) · Minimum 10 cm
32. Oromocto River (Atlantic Salmon, Brook Trout, Smallmouth Bass)
Oromocto areaThe Oromocto River flows into the Saint John River offers brook trout, Atlantic salmon, and smallmouth bass fishing with good public access.
- Atlantic Salmon · Limit: hook and release limits apply · Barbless artificial flies only
- Brook Trout · Limit: 5 (rivers/streams May 1-Sep 15; lakes May 15-Sep 15) · Minimum 10 cm
33. Rusagonis River (Brook Trout)
Rusagonis areaThe Rusagonis River offers brook trout fishing in the Saint John River valley.
- Brook Trout · Limit: 5 (rivers/streams May 1-Sep 15; lakes May 15-Sep 15) · Minimum 10 cm
34. North Lake (NB)
North Lake area, New BrunswickNorth Lake offers brook trout and smallmouth bass fishing in the upper Saint John River valley.
- Arctic Char / Brown Trout / Rainbow Trout · Limit: as per summary · Minimum 15 cm
35. Amelia Lake (Smallmouth Bass, Chain Pickerel, White Perch, Brook Trout, Striped Bass)
Amelia Lake, New BrunswickNamed lake in the Saint John River Valley region of New Brunswick.
- Brook Trout · Limit: 5 (rivers/streams May 1-Sep 15; lakes May 15-Sep 15) · Minimum 10 cm
36. Arnold Lake (Smallmouth Bass, Chain Pickerel, White Perch, Brook Trout, Striped Bass)
Arnold Lake, New BrunswickNamed lake in the Saint John River Valley region of New Brunswick.
- Brook Trout · Limit: 5 (rivers/streams May 1-Sep 15; lakes May 15-Sep 15) · Minimum 10 cm
37. Ashburn Lake (Smallmouth Bass, Chain Pickerel, White Perch, Brook Trout, Striped Bass)
Ashburn Lake, New BrunswickNamed lake in the Saint John River Valley region of New Brunswick.
- Brook Trout · Limit: 5 (rivers/streams May 1-Sep 15; lakes May 15-Sep 15) · Minimum 10 cm
38. Auger Lake (Smallmouth Bass, Chain Pickerel, White Perch, Brook Trout, Striped Bass)
Auger Lake, New BrunswickNamed lake in the Saint John River Valley region of New Brunswick.
- Brook Trout · Limit: 5 (rivers/streams May 1-Sep 15; lakes May 15-Sep 15) · Minimum 10 cm
39. Back Meadow Lake (Smallmouth Bass, Chain Pickerel, White Perch, Brook Trout, Striped Bass)
Back Meadow Lake, New BrunswickNamed lake in the Saint John River Valley region of New Brunswick.
- Brook Trout · Limit: 5 (rivers/streams May 1-Sep 15; lakes May 15-Sep 15) · Minimum 10 cm
Fishing Tips for the Saint John River Valley
- 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 New Brunswick; check the local regulations first.
- Best times — early morning and late evening are prime. Many Saint John River Valley 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 New Brunswick
Get CatchTales
Ready to start bragging? Download the app and hit the water.