For Miramichi striped bass fishing, start by asking about May and early June. Striped bass gather in the Miramichi system in spring, but the timing of the bite and access to individual stretches can change. Fisheries and Oceans Canada can temporarily close part of the Northwest Miramichi when bass are actively spawning. If you’re traveling to New Brunswick for the run, ask your guide which open stretches they expect to fish and where they’ll go if their first choice closes.
Planning a spring striper trip? Call Fish Nation at +1-307-637-5495 or email info@fish-nation.com. Share your dates, group size, and whether you prefer spinning or fly fishing. Explore the New Brunswick striped bass and Atlantic salmon trip.
When Is the Spring Striped Bass Run on the Miramichi?
May is a good starting point if you can choose your dates. April can offer earlier fishing after ice-out, while late May and early June overlap with the usual spawning period. Local guides describe fishing at different depths as the run develops, from deeper holding water earlier in the spring to opportunities near the surface when conditions line up. After spawning, many fish move toward coastal feeding areas in the southern Gulf of St. Lawrence.
| When you go | What to plan around |
|---|---|
| Mid-April to early May | Ask about ice-out, recent catches, and whether fish are holding deep enough to favor subsurface presentations. |
| Mid- to late May | Ask which stretches are producing and whether the guide expects to spend more time casting, drifting, or searching for moving schools. |
| Late May to mid-June | Check the Northwest Miramichi spawning closure before travel and again before fishing. Ask for a backup stretch when you book. |
DFO says the spawning closure generally falls between late May and mid-June, with the exact timing based on observations. It can affect approximately 9.8 km downstream of the Red Bank–Sunny Corner bridge for up to 10 consecutive days. The order applies to all angling in the designated stretch, including catch-and-release. Other open stretches can still be fished under their applicable rules.
How to Fish for Miramichi Stripers
Spin fishing for covering water
Spinning tackle is a practical choice if your group is new to New Brunswick striped bass fishing or wants to change depths quickly. Start with a soft-plastic swimbait and adjust the sink time until you’re retrieving at the depth where fish are holding. If you get a strike, repeat the same cast angle and sink count on your next pass. When bass are visibly feeding at the surface, try a topwater presentation rigged to meet the local hook rules.
Fly fishing when you can reach the fish
If you want to fish a fly, tell the guide before booking so they can plan around water depth and current. A baitfish streamer can cover fish feeding higher in the water. A sinking tip can help when fish are holding deeper. If the fly is sweeping past the fish too high or too fast, ask the guide to change the boat angle or drift before switching patterns.
Use the first productive pass to guide the next one
Stripers can move as the tide and current change. On a guided boat trip, pay attention to where the strike came, how deep the presentation was, and which direction the boat was moving. Repeating those conditions on the next pass gives you a better starting point than changing lures after every cast. If you’re planning to fish from shore, verify public access and the boundaries of any closure before choosing a spot.
Miramichi Fishing Trips, Lodge Options and Pricing
Fish Nation’s New Brunswick listing describes a lodge at Quarryville Pool on the Main Southwest Miramichi. The listing also describes downstream spin fishing for striped bass. Ask where the striper boat launches for your dates and how far that launch is from the lodge.
| Published package | What Fish Nation lists | Published 2025–2026 rate |
|---|---|---|
| Fishing lodge rental with guide | Self-catering accommodation, guide service, boat and motor | US$350 per person per day |
| Five-day classic Atlantic salmon package | Five fishing days, six nights, meals, guide service, housekeeping, and a boat and motor for spring fishing | US$2,500 per person |
Fish Nation lists 15% tax on fishing rates. If striped bass are your main target, ask for a written quote that specifies how many days are dedicated to stripers, whether meals are included, and how many anglers share a boat. If your group also wants to fish for Atlantic salmon, ask what is available for your dates and which separate rules and licensing requirements apply.
Licence, Hook and Retention Rules
New Brunswick says an angling licence is generally unnecessary in tidal waters. Ask your guide whether your planned stretch is tidal or inland and which rules apply there. DFO’s 2026 striped bass notice required single barbless hooks for lures, bait, and flies in tidal waters. If you’re bringing plugs fitted with trebles, check the hook setup before you leave.
For 2026, DFO set a daily retention limit of four striped bass, a possession limit of four, and a retention slot of 50–65 cm total length under the southern Gulf notice. DFO also set different season dates and fishing hours depending on the water, with specific provisions for the Miramichi. Check the notice and variation orders for your travel year before fishing or keeping fish.
Getting to the Miramichi and Booking Your Guide
Fish Nation lists Fredericton and Moncton as arrival airports, with driving as another option. Its published listing quotes $150 per person for round-trip airport transfers. Ask for the current transfer price and currency, the pickup schedule, and the first morning’s meeting point before booking flights.
For a first trip, give your guide two or three possible date windows and say whether you’re comfortable switching between spinning and fly fishing. If you’re traveling specifically for the spring run, ask which open water they can fish if a closure overlaps your stay. That answer will help you choose a week and decide how many fishing days to book.
Book Your Miramichi Striped Bass Trip With Fish Nation
Send Fish Nation your preferred spring dates, number of anglers, and preferred fishing method. The team can help you request a striper-focused quote, compare lodging options, and confirm the guide, launch, and transfer details before you book.
Call +1-307-637-5495 or email info@fish-nation.com. View the Miramichi fishing trip.