| Salmon licence | Resident | Non-resident | Fee note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Individual salmon | $23.00 | $80.00 | Before vendor fee and HST |
| Senior salmon | $14.95 | Not listed | Resident senior price |
| Family salmon | $23.00 | $80.00 | Family rules still apply |
| Vendor processing fee | $3.00 | $3.00 | Per inland fishing licence, plus applicable HST |
Do You Need a Salmon Licence in Newfoundland and Labrador?
Yes, if you plan to angle for salmon on scheduled inland waters in Newfoundland and Labrador. The salmon licence is a narrower decision than a general trout or coastal-water question.
Start by deciding whether the water is a scheduled salmon river, a non-scheduled inland water, or coastal water. This guide covers scheduled salmon rivers, river class, retention, catch-and-release, and salmon licence fees. For the broader Newfoundland and Labrador licence setup, check the province overview.
How Much Is a Newfoundland Salmon Licence in 2026-2027?
For 2026-2027, Newfoundland and Labrador salmon licence fees are:
Licence fees by themselves are not enough for a salmon trip. River class, season date, closure notices, retention rules, and catch-and-release limits decide what you can actually do on the water.
For a season, a person may hold one inland fishery licence to take salmon or one family inland fishery licence to take salmon, but not both.
What Are the 2026 Salmon Season Dates?
For 2026, the main season runs from June 1 to September 7 on insular Newfoundland and from June 15 to September 15 in Labrador.
Treat those dates as the broad season window, not a guarantee that every river section is open for the same activity. The Anglers' Guide and in-season notices can change a river, section, or management measure after the guide is published.
What Do River Classes Change?
Newfoundland and Labrador scheduled salmon rivers use river classes that affect retention and catch-and-release planning. The most important first check is whether the water is Class 0, Class 2, Class 4, Class 6, or unclassified.
| River or water type | Practical salmon rule |
|---|---|
| Class 2 rivers | Retention is possible when allowed, but only one of the season's retained salmon may come from Class 2 rivers. |
| Class 0 rivers | The retention limit is 0, and the catch-and-release limit is two fish per day. |
| Non-scheduled waters | Retention of salmon is not permitted. |
| Coastal waters | No licence is required when angling for salmon or trout in coastal waters, and salmon may not be retained there at any time. |
Check the scheduled river list before you fish. A place name, lodge page, or older printed note is not enough when river class or closure status affects the trip.
How Many Salmon Can You Keep?
For 2026-2027, DFO states a total retention limit of two salmon, with a maximum of one salmon from Class 2 rivers. Retention is not permitted on Class 0 rivers or non-scheduled waters.
Retention still depends on the current rule for the river and section. If the water has moved to release-only conditions or a closure applies, the broad retention line does not override that local rule.
Where Do You Buy the Licence?
The provincial angling page says inland fishery licences for salmon and trout are issued by the Wildlife Division and may be obtained from commercial vendors or provincial government service centres.
For a salmon trip, do the buying step after the river, season, class, and retention status are clear. Newfoundland and Labrador is not just a simple online checkout question.
What Should You Check Before a Salmon Trip?
A salmon trip is easier to sort out in this order:
| Step | Check | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Scheduled river | The salmon licence question starts with scheduled inland waters. |
| 2 | Season and river section | Opening dates and closed areas can change by place. |
| 3 | River class | Class affects retention and catch-and-release rules. |
| 4 | Retention or release plan | Retention limits, tags, and release limits are not the same. |
| 5 | Licence and proof | Buy from the appropriate vendor or service centre and carry the licence while angling. |
For broader salmon questions across Canada, check the salmon fishing licence guide. For Newfoundland and Labrador trout or coastal water, return to the province page.