Since 1953, the Miramichi Salmon Association (MSA) has worked toward the preservation and enhancement of Atlantic salmon on the Miramichi River. With strength in numbers, the MSA continues to build its membership to support our conservation efforts. We encourage you, if not already a member, to please join us.

Vol. 89 December 2025

Dear MSA members and supporters,

As we approach the holiday season, I want to extend my warmest wishes to all our members, supporters, and friends. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from all of us at the Miramichi Salmon Association. Your commitment to our mission continues to inspire us, and we are grateful for your ongoing support.

I am pleased to share that we successfully completed our broodstock spawning this fall, and we now have over one million eggs incubating at the South Esk hatchery. These eggs will develop over the winter and be ready for release in the spring as fry. Egg care is a time-intensive and critical task for our hatchery team, and we welcome volunteers to assist with this work again this year.

Last season, we achieved an incredibly high egg-to-fry survival rate, and with your help, we hope to maintain that momentum into 2026. If you have time to volunteer over the winter months, please reach out to our Hatchery Manager, Holly Labadie. Your support would be greatly appreciated.

This time of year is also dedicated to completing grant reporting for our field programs, and I am pleased to report that we are nearing the finish line. In addition, our grant applications for the 2026 field season have been submitted. We offer sincere thanks to the many funding agencies whose support makes our conservation work possible.

On the development front, our Carleton County Christmas Auction has officially launched, featuring a great selection of items—perfect for the angler on your Christmas list (link below).

Additionally, MSA US will be launching its own online auction on December 13th, running for one week. We encourage our supporters on both sides of the border to participate and help strengthen our conservation efforts.

Looking ahead, the MSA US will also be hosting a fundraising dinner at the Portland Country Club on February 7th. This year, we are proud to be honouring Marc Cabot—a truly well-deserved recognition for a life-long fisherman of the Miramichi and a dedicated supporter of Atlantic salmon conservation.

Lastly, our End-of-Season Appeal has been mailed. I hope you will consider making a donation to support the Miramichi Salmon Association. Without the dedication and generosity of individuals like you, we would face real challenges in achieving our mission to protect, preserve, and restore Atlantic salmon in the Miramichi River system. Thank you for considering a contribution to this important cause.

Wishing you a safe, joyful, and restful holiday season

William (Butch) Dalton

President, Miramichi Salmon Association

The Carleton County Christmas Auction is LIVE!

Looking for the perfect gift for the angler (or outdoor enthusiast) on your holiday list? Look no further! Our online fundraising auction is brimming with incredible items that are sure to make their season bright.

What's up for grabs?

• Salmon/Trout fishing trips
• High-quality outerwear and fishing gear
• Stunning hand-tied fly boxes
• Beautiful home goods, artwork, and books
• And so much more!

Get your bids in now and snag something special while supporting a great cause!

Don’t wait—these treasures won’t last long!

Tickets will be available for purchase in the coming weeks at the link below.

Awarded annually to a deserving individual, group, organization, or business that has shown lasting commitment to the conservation of the wild Atlantic salmon and environmental integrity of the Miramichi River watershed for the benefit of all species.

The Award recognizes leadership in all areas of activity that have an impact upon environmental protection and conservation of the wild salmon species, including volunteerism and or the practice of advocacy, politics, Indigenous relations, climate action, academia, industry, business, or commercial river management.

Deadline to Submit Nominations is February 15th!

For more information on nomination guidelines and how to submit please visit our website.

Named in honour of J.W. Bud Bird, O.C., the Award recognizes and applauds Bud’s dedicated commitment and service to the conservation of the wild Atlantic salmon.

After another successful spawning season in 2025 here at the Miramichi Salmon Conservation Centre, staff are very busy taking care of over 1 million incubating salmon eggs. We extend our thanks to the volunteers who helped us during the labour-intensive spawning process – UNB/CRI, Anqotum Resource Management, and the Greater Kouchibouguac Watershed Association; salmon conservation is a team effort, and we appreciate you all as colleagues and supporters in our shared efforts!

These eggs will incubate over the winter and hatch into sac fry in early spring, swim up as first-feeding fry in mid-late May, and be stocked back into the Miramichi River in late spring 2026 in the 4th year of our Dungarvon River experimental fry stocking program.

We are excited to continue our partnership with Pabineau First Nations for the 4th year and help them incubate salmon eggs and fry from the Nepisiguit River. Once the fry are ready to leave our facility, the team from Pabineau will collect them for their own stocking program.

We provide year-round care for our juvenile and adult salmon for broodstock, and even in the winter our team stays busy making sure the site remains safe to access and the fish are checked daily. We have generator back up for power outages and multiple alarms, with staff on-call 24/7 for emergencies.

Together, we make every effort to bring us one step closer to securing a sustainable future for salmon on the Miramichi.

Fishing Friends – 



I made a quick trip back and forth to my Mahoney Brook camp on the Cains River in hopes of seeing some spawning activity and/or redds.  Here is how things went...

The Miramichi Salmon Association (US) is pleased to announce that our online auction will launch on December 13th and run for one week. This year’s auction will be packed with exciting items for the angler and much more—offering something for everyone on your holiday list.



We encourage all supporters to browse, bid, and share the auction with friends and fellow conservationists. Your participation directly supports our ongoing efforts to protect and restore wild Atlantic salmon in the Miramichi.

Congratulations to the winners of this year's Brian Smith Memorial Photo Contest!



1st Place - Ashley Hallihan - Angling

2nd Place - Alex Richard - Kids on the Miramichi

3rd Place - Stephen D. Pond - Miramichi People

4th Place - Paul Baker - Miramichi Scenes

Thank you to our sponsor Bates Custom Laminating & Framing!

Apply Now: 2026 Jack Fenety Conservation Scholarship

The Miramichi Salmon Association is proud to announce that applications are now open for the 2026 Jack Fenety Conservation Scholarship. This prestigious award is presented annually to a graduate student conducting groundbreaking research related to the ecology of Atlantic salmon, with a focus on the Miramichi watershed.

A Legacy of Conservation

Named in honour of Jack Fenety, a passionate advocate for the protection and restoration of Atlantic salmon, this scholarship represents the MSA’s commitment to fostering the next generation of conservation leaders. For years, the scholarship has empowered graduate students to advance knowledge critical to safeguarding one of the world’s most iconic species and the ecosystems that sustain them.

Why It Matters

Atlantic salmon conservation is more urgent than ever, and innovative research is essential to tackle the challenges these species face. The Jack Fenety Conservation Scholarship not only supports students financially but also underscores the importance of academic contributions to the future of the Miramichi River and its wild salmon population.

Key Details

• Application Deadline: December 15th
• Eligibility: Graduate students studying Atlantic salmon ecology and its relevance to the Miramichi watershed

How to Apply

To learn more about the Jack Fenety Conservation Scholarship and submit your application, please click the link below.

Let’s work together to ensure the legacy of Atlantic salmon thrives for generations to come.

I spent most of April through early October working on our camp on the Miramichi. Before I headed up, I was able to finish a framing for my pal John M.  He had hosted an artist for some salmon fishing, and the artist responded by sending John his most recent limited edition print. John sent me the print and a fly he tied to frame up. This is what I came up with for him...

Featuring the incredible artworks of the late John Swan, the 2026 MSA calendar would make the perfect addition to any home or office. Get one before they are gone!

MSA Carleton County Online Christmas Auction

November 27th - December 7th

MSA US Dinner - Falmouth, Maine

February 7th

MSA US Online Christmas Auction

December 13th - December 20th

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Miramichi Salmon Association

485 Route 420

South Esk NB E1V 4L9

506-622-4000

admin@miramichisalmon.ca

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