Fishing in Kouchibouguac National Park of Canada

Kouchibouguac sits along the central New Brunswick coast where a series of rivers drain through coastal wetlands, lagoons, and barrier dunes before reaching Northumberland Strait.

The park protects a low-lying landscape of black spruce bogs, tidal flats, and slow-moving rivers — water that is more intimate than dramatic, and fishing that rewards patience over power.

The Kouchibouguac River and the Kouchibouguacis River are the two main watercourses inside the park. Both are tidal-influenced in their lower reaches and transition to quieter freshwater upstream. The Richibucto River also runs through park territory.

Smaller tributaries — Rivière Saint-Charles, Rivière Fontaine, Rivière au Portage, Ruisseau des Canards, and Ruisseau à Pierrot — thread through the interior, accessible mostly by canoe or on foot.

The park's coastal position and tidal rivers make it distinct from the classic New Brunswick salmon rivers to the north. The fishing here is shaped by brackish transitions, soft-bottom habitat, and the movement of fish between salt and fresh water.

Eel, smelt, and gaspereau have a long commercial history in these waters — a tradition that predates the park itself and is still recognized under federal regulations.

Before fishing anywhere inside the park boundary, you need a permit issued by Kouchibouguac National Park — a provincial licence does not cover park waters. Permits are available at the Visitor Centre.

For soft-shell clams, which can be taken in the park, only hands or hand tools are permitted. Check with the park directly for current seasons, species rules, and any closures before you go. These rivers fish best when you move slowly through them.

The water is dark, the banks are close, and the fish hold in places that don't announce themselves.