FREDERICTON (GNB) – Anglers will be able to apply between Feb. 10 and March 5 to fish regular Crown reserve waters. Draw results will be available online March 22.

“Fishing has been a time-honoured tradition in New Brunswick for generations,” said Natural Resources and Energy Development Minister Mike Holland. “It is a great way to get outdoors and enjoy some of the natural beauty that our province has to offer.”

Regular Crown reserve is comprised of 20 prime salmon stretches on both the Miramichi and Restigouche river systems. Angling parties that are successful in the draw have access to their stretch for two angling days. The use of a fishing camp is included with 16 of these stretches at no additional cost.

Last year, 371 of the 516 draw applications were successful, resulting in 1,410 anglers (in parties of two or four) fishing on Crown waters.

Regular Crown reserve stretches are available from June 10 to Sept. 15 while the daily and live release Crown reserves are available from June 1 to Sept. 15. Some exceptions to these dates apply depending on the stretch of water.

Anglers must obtain an Outdoors Card number to apply for a Crown reserve draw or to purchase an angling licence. The card is available through a free registration process that may be completed online, at participating licence vendors, or at Service New Brunswick centres. Crown reserve applications may be submitted online or by contacting any district office.

The booking period for unsuccessful applicants in the regular Crown reserve draw is May 10-23. The first-come, first-served open booking period will be from June 7 to Sept.15.

The latest information on salmon conservation measures for 2021 is available online or from any office of the federal Department of Fisheries and Oceans.