Research Document - 2009/046

Salmon Rivers of Newfoundland and Labrador

By D.G. Reddin, R.J. Poole, G. Clarke, and N. Cochrane

Abstract

There are a total of 394 rivers in Newfoundland and Labrador that are known to contain wild Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar L.) populations. On the island, of the 305 rivers with salmon, most (~55%) are relatively small with drainage areas of 100 km² or less.  There are six rivers with drainage areas of 2,000 km² and greater. The three largest rivers are Exploits, Gander and Humber with drainage areas greater than 6,000 km².  Labrador in contrast to the island portion of the province has larger rivers albeit fewer with known Atlantic salmon populations. In total, there are at present 89 rivers in Labrador with known salmon populations; although it is noted that many of rivers with unknown status have never been surveyed. In Labrador, there are eleven rivers with drainage areas greater than 2,000 km² and similar to the island, there are three rivers greater than 6,000 km². The largest river in the province with Atlantic salmon is Adlatok River, Labrador.  Recent map surveys have shown there are 366 rivers in the salmon zone in Labrador with drainage areas greater than 15 km².  As some of these rivers may have Atlantic salmon with further refinement there will be rivers added to the list for Labrador.

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