Atlantic salmon activity is beginning to “heat up” as June approaches. Smolt outward bound for their feeding grounds; Atlantic salmon returning in larger numbers; and everyone watching water levels and river temperatures.
Gaspé
Causapscal River – As of May 29, 19 Atlantic salmon had been landed, including six released. The very first fish was landed May 19 this year. Some fish of more than 30 lb. have been seen in the river, raising everyone’s hopes for 2012. Overall, most fish have been found in the Falls Pool and Bateau Pool so far.
The forecast is for rain over the next few days, and the levels found in the Gaspé rivers show this is now badly needed. Naturally the hope is for a gradual increase in the water level and not a massive surge.
Cascapedia River Levels
Miramichi
Recent reports coming our way have included landing fish on the Northwest Miramichi and the Little Southwest Miramichi. Meanwhile the overcast skies and somewhat drizzly conditions have dropped water temperatures a bit, and levels have risen – but not tremendously so. Good conditions for the Atlantic salmon which is what everyone wants.
Main Southwest Miramichi at Blackville
Nova Scotia
The opening of the province’s Atlantic salmon season has been postponed. It was supposed to open tomorrow, June 1. For an article on this, click here (http://asf.ca/news.php?id=875)
As expected, everyone is hoping the issues are resolved in the next few days.
Penobscot River
Returns have varied daily this week at the Veazie Trap, but overall the average has been about 30 salmon per day. It is early, but for the May 30 milepost, this was the third highest return since the 1970s, with 305 fish so far this year.
In less than two weeks, a ceremony will be held to mark the beginning of the demolition of the Great Works Dam, a 311m./1,020ft dam that is a barrier to Atlantic salmon. This has been a project requiring more than a dozen years of work, and many partners and is quite a milestone.
Penobscot Returns at Veazie Trap
ASF Researchers on the Magaguadavic
Fry Release in Magaguadavic River
With all the smolt and kelts now with transmitters in rivers such as the Restigouche, Cascapedia and Miramichi, ASF research staff have turned their attention this week to the Magaguadavic River in southwest New Brunswick. Today fry are being released in various tributaries of the river.
