Spate · Granite · Newfoundland and Labrador (Newfoundland Central)

Bay du Nord

Bay du Nord terrain map
Terrain map

The Bay du Nord drains central Newfoundland in one of the largest wilderness river systems remaining on the island — roadless for most of its length, accessed by floatplane or a long walk in.

Species

Closed season

Season reopens 1 July. File this water for the right month.

Closed — confidence not applicable today.
Water temperature for atlantic salmon
Cool — slow
9°C est.ideal 10–14°C
0°14°28°
The full read · show the working · for atlantic salmon · confidence 75%
How the river scores — hydrology factors
Water heightMedium Ideal0.0
Recent riseNone0.0
Falling after liftNot Applicable0.0
Water temperatureCool To Moderate0.0
Time in seasonOpening Period0.0
ClarityClearing0.0
Hydrology base0.0
Legal gate: Unknown Check Local Rules
Can you trust it?
Water temperatureair-to-water estimateestimated
Level / flowon-river gaugeobserved
Conditions
●Live gauge
Level
1.39 m
Water temp
9.1°C
Estimated
Clarity
Clear
Air temp
8°C
Wind
NE 9 km/h
Light breeze
Pressure
1014 hPa
Rain · 48h
2.1 mm
Light rain
Rain · ahead
1.0 mm
No meaningful rain · next 48h

Live readings — water temperature is an estimate where the gauge does not record it.

Hatch timeline · todayPeak at 10am

Hatch predictions

Today's headline hatch shown — see all 6 active hatches hour by hour with Pro.

Start free trial

14-day free trial. Cancel anytime.

Evidence
ModelledModerate confidence

Modelled from regional ecology — no survey or occurrence data for this water yet.

How to fish it · for atlantic salmon
When
All day is fishable. Peaks around mid-morning (10-12) and late afternoon (4-6pm). A change in light — cloud passing over the sun, or the first shadow reaching the water — can trigger a take.
Where
Focus on the slower water at pool edges, inside bends, and behind large boulders. Fish won't hold in the main current at this height. Streamy water that's normally too shallow can hold fish in high water.
Method
Steady, controlled swing. Moderate mending to keep the fly broadside and swimming at a measured pace. Not too fast, not too slow. Let the pool dictate the speed.. Sink-tip (Type 2-3). Medium-large: ¾-1½ inch tubes or size 4-8 doubles. Good profile for coloured water.
Kit
13 ft #8/9 double-hander in spate, 10 ft #8 single in low water. Floating line plus a fast-sink tip. 12–15 lb fluoro tippet.
Why this works
The signs are strong. Water starting to fall after a rise — early stages of coming into shape. Still coloured but fining — improving conditions. 9.1°C — close to ideal for summer salmon. Conditions are moving in the right direction and should be fishable soon if not already.
Through the year
0–3 scale · June highlighted
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Salmon runRun
1
2
1
Trout seasonSeason
1
2
2
2
2
2
1
Early Black StoneflyHatch
2
3
2
Eastern Golden StoneHatch
2
2
Slate Drake / IsonychiaHatch
2
3
3
3
3
2
Yellow SallyHatch
2
3
2

Numbers are intensity 0 (none) to 3 (peak) — a guide, not a guarantee.

Permits & access
Permit required — see local rules.
  • Provincial licence + federal permits
  • Heritage river access constraints
  • Advanced booking essential.
Directions
Apple MapsGoogle Maps
About this water

The Bay du Nord drains central Newfoundland in one of the largest wilderness river systems remaining on the island — roadless for most of its length, accessed by floatplane or a long walk in. Atlantic salmon run from late June; brook trout are present throughout the system, holding in every pool and tributary headwater. The combination of salmon and native brook trout in genuinely remote country is what distinguishes this river from the accessible Newfoundland systems. The wilderness is not incidental to the fishing here. For most of the people who fish it, it is the point.

  • Granite
Seasons & zones
  • Salmon1 July → 30 September
  • Trout1 April → 31 October
  • Brook troutvaries by zone (earliest 1 February) → 7–15 September (zone-specific)
Related guides