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Fishing areas

Lobster

New Brunswick processes lobster from the Atlantic Ocean 365 days a year!

 

Lobster Fishing seasons

* Dates are approximate.

 

Region Dates
New Brunswick
  • 23 April 30 - July 7
  • 25 August 9 - October 10
  • 35 Last day Feb - July 31 & October 14 - December 31
  • 36 - 37 March 31 - June 29 & 3nd Tuesday in November - January 14
  • 38 2nd Tuesday in November - June 29
Other Provinces
  • 3 - 8 April 20 - July 15
  • 9 - 12 April 20 - July 30
  • 13a - 13b  April 20 - July 5
  • 14a - 14b - 14c May 5 - July 10
  • 15 June 1 - August 12
  • 16 May 20 - August 10
  • 17 June 5 - August 5
  • 18 May 20 - July 31
  • 19 - 21 May 9 - July 9
  • 20a - 22 - 24 - 26a - 26b April 30 - June 30
  • 20b May 8 - July 7
  • 27 May 15 - July 15
  • 28 May 9 - July 9
  • 29 May 10 - July 10
  • 30 May 19 - July 20
  • 31a April 19 - June 30
  • 31b - 32 April 19 - June 20
  • 33 - 34 Last Monday in November - May 31
  • 40 Closed to inshore-offshore lobster fishing
  • 41 Area open all year
Lobster fishing zones

In New Brunswick, Setting Day marks the official start of the commercial lobster fishing season in various Lobster Fishing Areas (LFAs) along the province’s coastline. Fishers head out to sea to set their traps in designated zones, launching months of hard work that are critical to the economy of many coastal communities.

The timing of Setting Day varies by region due to conservation measures, sustainability efforts, and government regulations:

For many New Brunswick communities, Setting Day is more than just the start of the season—it’s a tradition, with families and community members gathering at wharves to see the boats off. It’s a moment filled with excitement, optimism, and respect for the ocean that sustains the industry.

An LFA (Lobster Fishing Area) is a designated fishing zone in Canada used to manage the lobster fishery. The Department of Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) divides the coastal waters into different LFAs, each with specific regulations on fishing seasons, trap limits, and conservation measures to ensure sustainable lobster harvesting.

For example, the LFAs in New Brunswick include areas in the Bay of Fundy and Gulf of St. Lawrence, each with its own rules regarding when and how lobsters can be caught.

At least one LFA is open every month, ensuring a steady supply of New Brunswick lobster year-round. New Brunswick’s world-class lobster is harvested across multiple Lobster Fishing Areas (LFAs), ensuring a steady supply every month of the year.

How are Setting Days determined each year?