Arisaig is a small picturesque fishing community on the Northumberland Shore, just a 25 min drive from Antigonish on Hwy 245.
Watch the fishing boats and the gulls. May and June are the lobster fishing season but some boats continue to fish during the summer months.
Crescent beach Arisaig
Fishing boats Arisaig
Arisaig Lighthouse Canteen
Enjoy an ice cream at the Lighthouse Canteen while you explore the colorful rocky cove – or at low tide walk on the sand of the crescent beach and go for a swim. From July 1 to end of August the Dockside Café has a light menu. Learn interesting facts about lobsters in the interpretive centre in the café.
There are other interesting things to do in the area to be explored in another post. Stay tuned.
Directions – take Hawthorne Street at the lights next to Pannizzza on Main Street Antigonish. Continue on Hwy 245. Turn left when you reach the shore at Malignant Cove.
Sport fishing and fish angling are a popular recreational activity in Nova Scotia. Nova Scotia’s 6,700 lakes, 100 rivers and 7,400 kilometers of coastline offer incredible opportunities for angling enthusiasts. In September 2016 I had the pleasure of visiting with Stephen Tibodeau at the Fraser’s Mills Fish Hatchery a short distance from Antigonish.
Stephen filled us in on the fish hatcheries in Nova Scotia. “My name is Stephen Thibodeau I am the acting supervisor here at Frasers Mills Fish Hatchery. My role is to coordinate the stocking and the hatchery operations. We are one of 3 hatcheries operated by the province of Nova Scotia. Collectively we stock in excess of 1 million fish to close to 400 sites province wide.
“We primarily stock speckled trout – it’s our provincial fish. We also stock rainbow trout, brown trout and Atlantic Salmon. The role of the hatcheries is for the recreational fisheries in Nova Scotia. 30% of Nova Scotia’s recreational fisheries rely on hatchery production. The Frasers Mills Hatchery was built in 1928 by the Government of Canada for their hatchery program. It wasn’t till 1982 that the province took over operations and continued stocking.
Fraser’s Mills Fish Hatchery. Stephen Thibodeau, Acting Supervisor
“There are 2 management programs that we do. One is through regulations for lakes that have a really good trout population we protect those through regulations. Some lakes have competition in the environment or they are heavily fished, then we use hatchery fish as a way of protecting those native stocks. In some cases we actually develop a fishery with hatchery raised trout the urban fishery we use rainbow trout for that. We also use rainbow trout for our winter fishery.
“The trout fishing season starts April 1 to the end of September. We have some special management areas some lakes and streams that have different season lengths. We always encourage people to take a look at the Anglers Handbook before they go out to fish a particular stream. Generally, the season starts April 1st to the end of September.
NS Hatcheries Video
“We get lots of visitors – locals and tourists. They usually come and take a look at the fish. there’s usually questions about good areas to fish, whether it is here in Antigonish County or elsewhere in the province.
“We get lots of visitors – locals and tourists. They usually come and take a look at the fish. there’s usually questions about good areas to fish, whether it is here in Antigonish County or elsewhere in the province.
“In the Spring we start our trout stocking so First of April we start stocking rainbow trout. Coming into late April and early May we start with our Speckled Trout and Rainbow Trout. We usually stop our stocking by the first of July. It’s too warm for transport and too stressful on the fish. July and August is spent on site maintenance. In the fall we are gearing up for fall stocking.
“We have a number of programs we are involved in one is the Atlantic Salmon enhancement program. In late September and early October we are out collecting stock for that program. We have our own brood stock here on site and start to spawn the middle of October and we are looking after our eggs. There’s never a dull moment.
“When we release the fish back into the wild the size varies. Normally in the spring they are what we call a “catchable size” or “retainable size”. The Rainbow Trout start out at 10-12 inches. The Speckled Trout start out at 6 inches when we start releasing them.
“There are other programs we are involved with. There’s the Learn to Fish Program geared to kids ages 8 to 12 but we are expanding it. It’s an outreach program. The kids will have a classroom component usually in the morning and we will go out in the afternoon so they will have a chance to take what they learned in the morning to a nearby pond stocked by the hatchery. Another program that we are involved with is the fishing derbies. There are about 50 every spring and summer. A lot of charitable groups use fishing derbies as a way to make money.
“Classrooms, scouting groups, boys and girls clubs take advantage of the Learn to Fish program. Its open to any group of people – usually kids – if there is enough interest and they apply for the Learn to Fish. It’s very popular. We do about 60 a year now. Depending on the location, 1 of the 3 hatcheries will supply the fish. It’s been very well received.
The Province of Nova Scotia, Dept. of Fisheries and Aquaculture operate 3 fish hatcheries to help sustain the popular outdoor angling activities: Fraser’s Mills Hatchery, Antigonish County, Margaree Fish Hatchery, Inverness County and McGowan Lake Hatchery, Queens County.
NS Provincial Fish Hatcheries and Recreational Fishing Areas
Some of the Province’s more popular stocked lakes are: RFA-1 #20 Dam Pond (Cape Breton Co.), McIntyre Lake (Inverness Co.) RFA-2 Cameron Lake (Antigonish Co.), Gairloch Lake (Pictou Co.), RFA-3 Albro Lake (Halifax Co.), Sucker Lake (Lunenburg Co.) RFA-4 Everitts Lake (Digby Co.), Christopher Lakes (Queens Co.) RFA-5 Silver Lake (Kings Co.) Meadow Pond (Hants Co.), RFA-6 Angevine Lake (Cumberland Co.), Little Dyke Lake (Colchester Co.) (Ref https://novascotia.ca/fish/sportfishing/hatchery-stocking )
More Information
NS Fisheries and Aquaculture. Find out more about Licensing and Permits, Laws and Regulations, Our Lakes, Hatchery Stocking Program, Educational Programs and Resource Management. https://novascotia.ca/fish/sportfishing/
When you hear the name Country Harbour in Nova Scotia you might think you are on the coast with fishing boats and the ocean waves. However in driving from Monastry on highway 316 you see a sign for Country Harbour and then pass signs for Country Harbour Cross Roads, Country Harbour Mines, Middle Country Harbour, Country Harbour Ferry and still are miles from the ocean.
Country Harbour is a 10 mile long deep inlet from the sea on the Eastern Shore of Nova Scotia. It is not only beautiful but has an interesting past.
SeaWind Landing comfortable accomdations great dining
A great place to stay and use as an exploration point is the Seawind Landing Country Inn in Charlos Cove. The 20 acre grounds has interesting paths through the forest or along the shore are great for an evening or early morning stroll. The food is superb, prepared with loving care from local ingredients by the innkeeper. There is a choice of comfortable rooms near the shore with the sound of the waves – or rooms with a view to the east or west from your 2nd floor porch.
The Seawind Landing Country Inn is a 30 minute drive from Drum Head at the mouth of Isaacs Harbour and Country Harbour. Stop along the way at the lovely Tor Bay Provincial Park and enjoy the boardwalk through the trees and over marshes and mosses. Seabirds nest on offshore islands – great for birdwatchers. Continue along Hwy 316 to Isaacs Harbour and take the turn off to the Country Harbour Ferry. This 12 car cable operated ferry takes you across Country Harbour to continue down along the coast through Port Bickerton towards Halifax on Hwy 211. Even if you decide not to take the ferry it is fun to watch it make the crossing. Signs are posted at the turnoff informing if the ferry is operating or not.
Empire Loyalist Trail
This part of the Eastern Shore of Nova Scotia was the closest part of North America for the early ships from Europe. The long protected harbour was a welcome relief from the open sea. The discovery of gold in the area was another draw to the area. From the 1600s the area was alive with ship building, forestry, small farming, fishing and gold mining.
Country Harbour was also settled by Loyalists from the King’s Carolina Rangers and the South Carolina Royalists who left Florida in October 1783, landed in Halifax and then the settlers went on to Country Harbour. The United Empire Loyalist 2.2 KM trail has interpretive signs giving the history of the settlers.
Salsman Park Golden Sunrise
Salsman Provincial Park is located on a small peninsula on the east side of Country Harbour near Middle Country Harbour. From June to September the park offers campers a quiet setting to relax and enjoy the area. The camp ground is situated on an island connected by a short causeway giving lovely views of the water and hills. On an early November morning the sunrise over Country Harbour was memorable with its golden glow and reflections in the calm water.
The nearby Loonsong Cottage Retreat offers workshops and retreats for women on a variety of topics. Check their website for calendar of events.
Country Harbour River offers fishing and exploring. The rural farms and cottages enjoy spectacular views in fall with the changing leaf colors.
Nova Scotia is almost completely surrounded by water – the ocean. It is said you are never more than 50 miles from the sea. We have beautiful beaches of many types that are great for swimming, exploring tide pools, beach combing, relaxing in the sun or enjoying the view.
But in addition to being surrounded by water – Nova Scotia has rich inland water country with lakes, rivers and streams dotted over the countryside. On a recent drive across Nova Scotia from Antigonish along Route 7 and Highway 316 it was a delight to see and stop at just a few of these. The drive winds through rolling hills and farmland and wooded areas. Then suddenly you are driving along lake waterfront and along winding rivers.
Fisherman at Country Harbour River
Along the drive at Country Harbor fishermen cast into the calm waters. Reflections of the shoreline added to the beauty of the scene. The rivers and lakes of Nova Scotia are stocked with salmon and trout. Take a side trip and visit the Fraser’s Mills Fish Hatchery to learn more about the process and tour the visitor information center.
Golden Gaspereaux Lake
In the evening the waters of Gaspereaux Lake were a golden shield reflecting the sunset. Water birds swam along and flew overhead.
Weather you are driving, walking or cycling the views are splendid. Or carry your canoe or kayak with you for a peaceful explore of the many inland waters. Get your fishing license and join the thousands of NS sport fishermen trying their hand at landing trout or salmon.
Some scenes from the drive
(click the arrows to browse through the slideshow)