Bonavista Bay

Saltwater
Bay

Bonavista Bay

Saltwater
Bay

Sq. miles: 814
Boat Ramps: 0
Access Points: 0
Species: 8

Bonavista Bay is a large, prominent inlet of the Atlantic Ocean on the northeast coast of Newfoundland, stretching from Cape Freels in the northwest to Cape Bonavista in the southeast. This historic bay, dotted with fishing villages and outports, defines the region's culture and provides a rich, accessible saltwater fishery. The waters range from deep, open bay environments to protected coves and rocky shorelines, offering diverse angling opportunities from shore and boat.

Species & education

Learn what type of fish are at Bonavista Bay and what's needed to catch them.

Find which waters have the species you want to catch

American Plaice

Hippoglossoides platessoides

Atlantic Cod

Gadus morhua

Atlantic Herring

Clupea harengus

Atlantic Salmon

Salmo salar

Pacific Cod

Gadus macrocephalus

Thorny Skate

Amblyraja radiata

Witch Flounder

Glyptocephalus cynoglossus

Yellowtail Flounder

Limanda ferruginea

Fishing spots, boat ramps & amenities

Learn how to get on Bonavista Bay. Uncover great fishing access points, boat ramps, and all the facilities you need for an unforgettable day on the water. Some locations shown may border or include private property. Always check property boundaries and applicable regulations before visiting. onWater's Public & Private Land layer can help you plan your access with confidence.

Productive fishing is found along the entire rugged coastline. The many wharves, docks, and rocky shorelines of historic outport communities provide excellent and easily accessible spots for cunner and other inshore fish. Specific areas like Hare Bay within Bonavista Bay are noted for shark fishing. Southwest Pond is a identified location for Atlantic salmon. The mouth of Bonavista Bay itself is a known fishing ground, historically surveyed for species like crab, indicating areas of significant marine life concentration.

Know where you can legally fish on Bonavista Bay

See public and private land boundaries along the water, turn on private parcels with owner details to know where permission is required, and find land-trust parcels that offer permitted fishing access.

Nl licenses and regulations

No licenses or regulations available for Nl.

Take Bonavista Bay with you

The onWater Fish app keeps this water's access points, species and conditions in your pocket, with the tools you use once you're there.

Use the map without signal
Download the map around Bonavista Bay to use it offline when coverage drops.
Log your catches here
Keep a private fishing journal for Bonavista Bay to find where and when fish are biting for you.

Get the onWater Fish app

Free on iOS and Android