Nova Scotia offers some of the best fishing in Canada. Understanding the best seasons and times to fish can greatly impact your success.
The best times to fish in Nova Scotia are early morning and late evening. Summer and fall are the best months for most species in Nova Scotia.
| Month | Nova Scotia Fishing Location |
| January | The Bay of Fundy’s Digby Gut, known for its strong tidal currents and abundance of haddock and pollock, offers thrilling winter angling opportunities. |
| February | Head to the waters surrounding Cape Sable Island for excellent ice fishing conditions, targeting species like smelt, hake, and mackerel. |
| March | The rugged coastline of Halifax Harbour is a prime spot this time of year, where anglers can enjoy catching Atlantic cod and winter flounder. |
| April | The scenic Bras d’Or Lake in Cape Breton provides fantastic trout fishing, with its calm waters and beautiful surroundings enhancing the angling experience. |
| May | As spring arrives, the Margaree River in Cape Breton becomes a renowned destination for Atlantic salmon fishing. |
| June | The shores of the Northumberland Strait near Pictou County present prime conditions for catching striped bass. |
| July | Explore the productive waters of the St. Marys Bay, off the southwestern coast, renowned for its abundant haddock, cod, and pollock populations. |
| August | Explore the productive waters of the St. Marys Bay, off the southwestern coast, renowned for its abundant populations of haddock, cod, and pollock. |
| September | The LaHave River in Lunenburg County becomes a popular destination for anglers targeting sea trout and Atlantic salmon during their fall migration. |
| October | Visit the tidal estuary of the Annapolis River near Bridgetown, where anglers can experience exceptional fishing for striped bass and sea trout. |
| November | The Yarmouth Harbour and surrounding areas provide exceptional opportunities for catching winter flounder and Atlantic cod during this time of year. |
| December | The sheltered waters of St. Margaret’s Bay become a winter haven for anglers, who can enjoy targeting species like smelt, hake, and mackerel. |
In this article, we will discuss the best times and seasons to fish in Nova Scotia. We will also talk about where some of the best fishing in the state is on a month-by-month basis.
Margaree River (Southwest NS): Best months – June to September, Target fish – Atlantic salmon.
St. Mary’s River (Guysborough County): Best months – June to September, Target fish – Atlantic salmon.
Medway River (South Shore): Best months – May to October, Target fish – Brook trout.
LaHave River (South Shore): Best months – June to September, Target fish – Atlantic salmon.
West River (Pictou County): Best months – June to September, Target fish – Atlantic salmon.
East River (Pictou County): Best months – June to September, Target fish – Atlantic salmon.
Sackville River (Halifax Regional Municipality): Best months – May to October, Target fish – Brook trout.
Petite Rivière (South Shore): Best months – May to October, Target fish – Brook trout.
Middle River (Victoria County): Best months – June to September, Target fish – Atlantic salmon.
East River (Inverness County): Best months – June to September, Target fish – Atlantic salmon.
Indian River (Antigonish County): Best months – June to September, Target fish – Atlantic salmon.
Southwest Miramichi River (Cumberland County): Best months – June to September, Target fish – Atlantic salmon.
Chéticamp River (Inverness County): Best months – June to September, Target fish – Atlantic salmon.
Middle River (Cape Breton Island): Best months – June to September, Target fish – Atlantic salmon.
Margaree River (Northwest NS): Best months – June to September, Target fish – Atlantic salmon.
North River (Victoria County): Best months – June to September, Target fish – Atlantic salmon.
Clyburn River (Lunenburg County): Best months – May to October, Target fish – Brook trout.
Chedabucto River (Guysborough County): Best months – June to September, Target fish – Atlantic salmon.
East River (Cape Breton Island): Best months – June to September, Target fish – Atlantic salmon.
West River (Antigonish County): Best months – June to September, Target fish – Atlantic salmon.
Louisbourg (Cape Breton Island): Best months – May to October, Target fish – Striped bass, mackerel, and cod.
Peggy’s Cove (Halifax Regional Municipality): Best months – May to October, Target fish – Striped bass, mackerel, and cod.
Lunenburg (South Shore): Best months – May to October, Target fish – Striped bass, mackerel, and cod.
Shelburne Harbour (Southwest NS): Best months – May to October, Target fish – Striped bass, mackerel, and cod.
Digby Gut (Bay of Fundy): Best months – May to October, Target fish – Striped bass, mackerel, and haddock.
Guysborough Harbour (Eastern Shore): Best months – May to October, Target fish – Striped bass, mackerel, and flounder.
Antigonish Harbour (Northumberland Strait): Best months – May to October, Target fish – Striped bass, mackerel, and cod.
Yarmouth Harbour (Southwest NS): Best months – May to October, Target fish – Striped bass, mackerel, and flounder.
Pictou Harbour (Northumberland Strait): Best months – May to October, Target fish – Striped bass, mackerel, and cod.
Canso Causeway (Eastern Shore): Best months – May to October, Target fish – Striped bass, mackerel, and flounder.
Ingonish Harbour (Cape Breton Island): Best months – May to October, Target fish – Striped bass, mackerel, and cod.
Halifax Harbour (Halifax Regional Municipality): Best months – May to October, Target fish – Striped bass, mackerel, and flounder.
Grand Pré (Minas Basin): Best months – May to October, Target fish – Striped bass, mackerel, and haddock.
Liscomb Harbour (Eastern Shore): Best months – May to October, Target fish – Striped bass, mackerel, and cod.
Lockeport (Southwest NS): Best months – May to October, Target fish – Striped bass, mackerel, and flounder.
Pugwash Harbour (Northumberland Strait): Best months – May to October, Target fish – Striped bass, mackerel, and cod.
Bear River (Bay of Fundy): Best months – May to October, Target fish – Striped bass, mackerel, and haddock.
Sheet Harbour (Eastern Shore): Best months – May to October, Target fish – Striped bass, mackerel, and flounder.
Liverpool (South Shore): Best months – May to October, Target fish – Striped bass, mackerel, and cod.
Chéticamp (Cape Breton Island): Best months – May to October, Target fish – Striped bass, mackerel, and flounder.
Striped bass fishing in Nova Scotia is most productive in summer and fall. The best time to fish for striped bass is typically from June to October. They are often caught during early morning or late evening when they are more active. Some of the best locations in Nova Scotia for fishing striped bass include the Minas Basin, St. Mary’s Bay, Annapolis River, and Bras d’Or Lake.
Bluefin tuna fishing in Nova Scotia is most productive in summer and fall. The best time to target bluefin tuna is typically from July to October. Tuna fishing is often done during the early morning or late afternoon when they are more active. Some of the best locations in Nova Scotia for fishing bluefin tuna include the waters off Cape Breton Island, the Northumberland Strait, the Bay of Fundy, and the southern coast of Nova Scotia.
Atlantic salmon fishing in Nova Scotia is typically most productive during the summer and fall. The best time of day to fish for Atlantic salmon is during early morning or late evening when they are more active. Some of the best locations in Nova Scotia for fishing Atlantic salmon include the Margaree River, St. Mary’s River, LaHave River, and Medway River.
Atlantic cod fishing in Nova Scotia is most successful in summer and fall. The best time of day to fish for cod is usually during early morning or late afternoon. Some of the best locations in Nova Scotia for fishing Atlantic cod include the Bay of Fundy, Georges Bank, Sable Island Bank, and the Scotian Shelf.
Haddock fishing in Nova Scotia is typically productive year-round, but the best time to target them is spring and fall. They can be caught throughout the day, but early morning and late afternoon are more fruitful. Some of the best locations in Nova Scotia for fishing haddock include the Bay of Fundy, Georges Bank, Sable Island Bank, and the Scotian Shelf.
Winter flounder can be targeted year-round in Nova Scotia but are most commonly caught in spring and fall. They are often found in shallow coastal waters. The best time of day to catch winter flounder is during low light conditions, such as early morning or late afternoon. Some of the best locations in Nova Scotia for fishing winter flounder include St. Mary’s Bay, Canso Causeway, Chedabucto Bay, and Lunenburg Bay.
Lobster fishing in Nova Scotia primarily occurs during spring, summer, and fall. The fishing season varies yearly and is regulated to ensure sustainable harvesting. Some of the best locations in Nova Scotia for lobster fishing include the Bay of Fundy, Northumberland Strait, Cape Breton Island, and the South Shore.
Quahogs can be harvested year-round in Nova Scotia, but the best time is typically during low tide. Low tide occurs twice a day, so it’s important to plan accordingly. Some of the best locations in Nova Scotia for fishing Quahogs include St. Mary’s Bay, Digby Gut, St. Margaret’s Bay, and Chedabucto Bay. Remember to check local regulations and obtain the necessary permits before harvesting Quahogs.
The best time to fish for rainbow trout in Nova Scotia is spring and fall. They are more active during these times. Early morning and late afternoon are the best times to catch rainbow trout as they tend to be more active during those periods. Some of the best locations in Nova Scotia for fishing rainbow trout include Nine Mile River, Black River, West River Sheet Harbour, and Middle River.
The best time to fish for brown trout in Nova Scotia is spring and fall when the water temperatures are cooler. They are more active during these times. Early morning and late evening are the best times of day to catch brown trout as they are most active during low-light conditions. Some of the best locations in Nova Scotia for fishing brown trout include St. Mary’s, Margaree, Medway, and LaHave.
The best time to fish for brook trout in Nova Scotia is during spring and fall when water temperatures are cooler. They are more active during these times. Early morning and late afternoon are the best times of day to catch brook trout as they tend to feed near the surface. Some of the best locations in Nova Scotia for fishing brook trout include Middle, Sackville, Gaspereau, and Ingram.
The best time to fish for largemouth bass in Nova Scotia is during the summer months, from June to August. They are more active in warmer water temperatures. Largemouth bass are often caught during early morning and late evening feeding. Some of the best locations in Nova Scotia for fishing largemouth bass include Lake George, Aylesford Lake, Sherbrooke Lake, and Panuke Lake.
The best time to fish for smallmouth bass in Nova Scotia is during the summer months, from June to September. Smallmouth bass are more active in warmer water temperatures. Early morning and late afternoon are the best times to catch smallmouth bass as they tend to be more active during those times. Some of the best locations in Nova Scotia for fishing smallmouth bass include Bras d’Or Lake, Lake Charlotte, Mira River, and Sissiboo River.
The best time to fish for yellow perch in Nova Scotia is spring and fall. In spring, they are active as they prepare to spawn, while in fall, they feed heavily before the winter. The best time of day to catch yellow perch is early morning or late afternoon. Some of the best locations in Nova Scotia for fishing yellow perch include Ponhook Lake, Porters Lake, Lake Mush-a-Mush, and Molega Lake.
The best time to fish for pike in Nova Scotia is during the warmer months of spring and early summer when the water temperatures rise. They are more active during this time. Early morning and evening are the best times to catch pike as they tend to be more active during low-light conditions. Some of the best locations in Nova Scotia for fishing pike include Shubenacadie River, Lake Ainslie, Bras d’Or Lake, and Grand Lake.
Check out this guide for a complete breakdown of the best times to fish in Maine. Check out this guide for a complete breakdown of the best times to fish in Ontario. Check out this guide for a complete breakdown of the best times to fish in Quebec.
