St. Mary's river association

FISHERY

The Atlantic salmon is the dominant species pursued by anglers in the St. Mary's River. Atlantic salmon recreational angling has a long history in Nova Scotia and within the St. Mary's River. Early British soldiers stationed in Halifax would fish surrounding waters and travel farther afield in pursuit of salmon. Through the 19th and 20th Centuries, increasing ease of access and the increasing size of a wealthy segment of society with leisure time and disposable income, increased the number of anglers travelling to the St. Mary's River to fish. A guiding industry developed to assist these visiting anglers. Through the 20th Century the St. Mary's River saw visits by famous fishermen and development of a specialized boat for fishing the river. The fame of the St. Mary's River spread around the world making it a destination river for Atlantic salmon fishermen.

Historically very large salmon were commonly taken from the river, and the St. Mary's River is one of the last salmon rivers on the Atlantic shores of Nova Scotia with substantial runs of 3 Sea-Winter salmon. In addition, the St. Mary's was once noted for its large run of spring and early summer returning salmon. Today, as elsewhere in the range of the Atlantic salmon, abundance is low and fishing is primarily catch-and-release. However, in years of good water conditions salmon angling is very good. Other factors that contribute to the attraction of this river by salmon anglers include access to most of it for fishing and scenic beauty.

The number of salmon caught each year between 1965 and the present in the St. Mary's River may be seen here. [link here]

In addition to salmon fishing, other species pursued in the St. Mary's River include brook trout, rainbow smelt, gaspereau (alewife) yellow perch, and American eel.