On this Fish’n Canada episode, we did something totally different and very challenging. It was a multi-species show, 5 to be exact, with each species to be filmed at a different location by a different host all within a 1 hour drive of a major urban center. And, we only had a short time to get ’er done.
Oh, and one other thing, it all had to be done using the same boat! The entire Fish’n Canada team had to launch the Princecraft, catch their target species, put the rig back on the trailer, and hand it off to the next host who would head to another location.
However, to make things a little easier on everyone, we chose one of the few places on this planet where all this could be possible, the Saint John River in New Brunswick. We were based out of the city of Fredericton, the capital of New Brunswick.
For this shoot, our actual fishing locations were no more than 40 minutes away from the city of Fredericton… Now that’s a great urban fishery!
In no particular order we had Nik V taking on Sturgeon, Pete going after Smallmouth Bass, Dean Taylor (one of our newest additions) tackling nighttime Striped Bass, and Steve Niedzwiecki trying his hand at… get this, Largemouth Bass. Yes, indeed there are Largemouth in the province of New Brunswick. If time permitted, Ang was going to take on the arduous task of tackling Muskie… phew that’s a lot of fishing!
PETE ON SMALLMOUTH
Pete was up to bat first. He’s no stranger to fishing Smallies in this part of the country. He and Ang fished the Woodstock section of the River the previous year and we predicted he’d have no problem catching fish!
This time around, Pete was fishing just downriver of Fredericton and the thought was, if it’s even half as good as what he and Ang had last time in NB, he’d come back with rave reviews.
He started by fishing some beautiful little sparse weed edges along the Saint John River banks. The Smallies were plentiful but no biggies.
He then moved out to a series of huge rock piles that, incidentally, showed up perfectly on the Garmin GPS maps. By casting shallow diving Yo-Zuri squarebill Crankbaits to the up-current side of these rock piles, he was able to capitalize on a great Smallmouth pattern and, of course, had a blast in the process.
A 1.5 Yo-Zuri Squarebill is a great Smallmouth Bass bait
“These little rock piles had cabbage weeds around them” says Pete “but the head of each pile (the upcurrent end) had thicker cabbage clumps. I concentrated on these areas and tied into a bunch of aggressive Smallies”.
DEAN ON STRIPERS
Later in the evening, just downriver from Pete’s Smallie location, Dean Taylor, (Dean made his debut appearance at the end of a Fish’n Canada episode fishing with Nik at Lodge 88) geared up for a low-light, late-night Striper bite with local fishing guide Pierre Oliver Blais, who knows this part of the river intimately and was confident that he’d put Dean onto fish.
Pierre’s best tactic for these big Stripers is to make repetitive trolling passes along his learned productive areas and hope that the fish move in for a low-light feed.
Well, it didn’t take long before the rods started popping back and forth and Dean was into his first Saint John, nighttime Striper.
“This was pretty insane,” says Dean, “trolling big Muskie sized plugs in the dark for anything from 2lbs to 40+lbs. You just never know!”
Pierre trolls big Muskie plugs like Tuff Shad’s & Jake’s for these Stripers
Although Dean and Pierre didn’t catch any giants, Dean did have one “rip” that nearly shook the boat. Pierre stated… “that was the one boys!!!”
Next time…
STEVE ON LARGEMOUTH
The next day and moving north of the city of Fredericton, Steve Niedzwiecki was on a mission which may have been the toughest one on this show…a needle in the haystack… New Brunswick Largemouth Bass.
Largies, as they’re often called, have been in New Brunswick for many years now, but it’s only lately that they are starting to create a “buzz” as a viable sportfish… HOWEVER… There are still some mixed feelings among the locals here about bass in general, calling them trash fish and wanting to see them “all” killed. Such a shame….
Steve set out in typical Largemouth fashion looking for the best shallow water, visible cover he could find.
He eventually found that shallow weeds were his best producers (go figure eh??). Both milfoil and lily pads worked for him. If he could, he’d try running a 1.5 Yo-Zuri crankbait in the openings of the weeds and if things got too thick, a Texas rigged plastic was the deal.
“These Largemouth were exactly like the ones I fish back home in Ontario,” Steve says, “the Mactaquac Head Pond looks like a replica of some of the backwaters of the French River where I do most of my Largemouth fishing”.
“As a bonus,” Steve continues, “I picked up some incidental Smallmouth while hitting the shallows… again EXACTLY the same as Ontario and probably throughout the entire Bass range worldwide”.
NIK ON STURGEON
And now to what undoubtedly is the most unique fish of this trip, the prehistoric Sturgeon. According to Pierre (same guide as Dean had for his nighttime Stripers), who’s now joined up with Nik, there are both Atlantic and Shortnose Sturgeon in this area, but the odds of catching an Atlantic are much lower than a Shortnose.
With that said, we had the feeling that Nikki will have NO PROBLEM catching either/or! Let’s face it, any Sturgeon is a good Sturgeon.
Pierre navigated the Princecraft to the edge of a dropoff near a local Sturgeon hotspot and then engaged the anchor mode of the Kraken trolling motor. Once the boat found its position, Pierre and Nik cast out towards the deeper water (center of the river) with big sliding sinker rigs. At the end of these rigs was a glob of nightcrawlers (worms) on a circle hook.
Now as some of you probably know, hooking fish on a circle hook is much different than on a “regular” hook. With the circle hook, the angler needs to essentially allow the fish to take the bait, let the rod load up (a bit of tension from the fish) and then the angler simply lifts the rod in a steady manner while reeling in. It’s more of a slow and steady pull vs. a crazy, powerful hookset.
Here’s what you need to get started with bottom fishing for Sturgeon. A heavy weight on a sliding snap, a barrel swivel and a circle hook. The line from the rod goes through the slider and ties to the swivel. A leader goes from the swivel to the hook. It’s quite simple yet very effective.
Nik had a few “swing and a miss” moments but after he got onto the “no hookset” rule, he started to see success. He and Pierre proceeded to land two gorgeous Shortnose Sturgeon to make this portion of the trip a great success. These fish by the way, we believe are the first Shortnose Sturgeon we’ve ever recorded on video… way to go Nik!
ANG ON MUSKIE
Unfortunately Ang was called home for an emergency as we were shooting the other segments so he didn’t get a fresh crack at NB Muskie. That said, he can certainly vouch for the phenomenal population of big, strong, healthy Muskie that reside here as well. He and Steve Niedzwiecki were on the Saint John near the Woodstock area back in 2019 and even though they had never fished the river before, with the assistance of some local guide knowledge, they fared very well. Trolling big cranks was the deal here… much similar to any other Muskie fishery. Here’s the episode.
FREDERICTON, NB
Fredericton is the capital city of New Brunswick. It is known for its rich history, vibrant cultural scene, and beautiful natural surroundings.
Located along the Saint John River, which runs through the city and is a prominent feature of its landscape. Situated in the central part of New Brunswick, making it a hub for administration and education.
History
Fredericton has Indigenous roots, with the area originally inhabited by the Wolastoqiyik (Maliseet) people. The river, Saint John, is called Wolastoq in their language. The city was settled by British Loyalists in the late 18th century after the American Revolution. It became the provincial capital in 1785.
Population
Fredericton has a population of approximately 65,000 people (2021 census), making it one of the smaller provincial capitals in Canada.
It is a diverse city with growing multicultural communities.
Economy
The economy of Fredericton is heavily based on public administration, education, and the tech sector. It is often referred to as an “Innovation City” due to its focus on entrepreneurship and technology start-ups. Major employers include the Government of New Brunswick, the University of New Brunswick (UNB), and St. Thomas University.
Culture and Arts
The city has a thriving arts and cultural scene, with events like the Harvest Music Festival, a major annual music event and the Frostival which is a winter festival featuring outdoor activities and performances. Fredericton is also home to the Beaverbrook Art Gallery, which showcases local and international art.
Recreation and Outdoors
The Saint John River and its surroundings offer numerous recreational activities, such as kayaking, hiking, cycling and of course fishing.
Fredericton boasts an extensive trail system, with over 120 kilometers of interconnected trails. Parks like Odell Park provide serene green spaces within the city.
Climate
Fredericton experiences a humid continental climate, with warm summers and cold, snowy winters. The fall season is particularly picturesque due to its colorful foliage.
Transportation
The city is connected to other parts of the province and Canada via major highways. Fredericton International Airport serves the region with domestic and limited international flights.
THE SAINT JOHN RIVER
The Saint John River, often referred to as the “Rhine of North America,” is one of the most significant rivers in eastern Canada. It flows primarily through the province of New Brunswick, with parts of its watershed also extending into Maine (USA) and Quebec.
The river is approximately 673 kilometers (418 miles) long. It originates from Saint John Pond in Maine and flows northeastward into Quebec before turning southeast into New Brunswick. The river passes through notable cities and towns such as Edmundston, Fredericton (the provincial capital), and Saint John, where it empties into the Bay of Fundy.
The Saint. John River features a mix of calm, navigable waters and rapids, with some areas that have been modified by dams and hydroelectric projects. It has a large watershed area covering 55,000 square kilometers (21,235 square miles), including forests, wetlands, and agricultural lands.
The river basin is rich in biodiversity, with a variety of fish species (such as Atlantic salmon and striped bass), as well as numerous bird and mammal species.
Indigenous peoples, including the Wolastoqiyik (Maliseet), have long referred to the river as Wolastoq, meaning “beautiful and bountiful river.” It holds deep cultural and spiritual significance for them. Early European settlers used the river for transportation, trade, and settlement. It became a critical route for the fur trade and later for logging and agriculture. The river’s fertile valley, known as the Saint John River Valley, remains a key agricultural area, producing potatoes, apples, and other crops.
Saint John River Key Landmarks and Attractions
Some key landmarks and attractions along the river are Grand Falls, a dramatic waterfall in the upper part of the river, the Mactaquac Dam a large hydroelectric dam near Fredericton, creating Mactaquac Lake, the Reversing Falls, unique tidal phenomenon in Saint John where the Bay of Fundy’s tides cause the river’s flow to reverse and the Kings Landing Historical Settlement, living history museum showcasing life along the river during the 19th century.
The river is popular for activities such as boating, kayaking, fishing, and camping. Trails along the riverbanks attract hikers and cyclists. Seasonal events and festivals celebrate the river’s importance to the region’s culture and economy.
The Saint John faces challenges such as pollution and the impact of climate change on water levels and ecosystems. Conservation efforts are ongoing to protect its habitats and maintain water quality.
The Saint John River is a vital natural and cultural asset for New Brunswick and the surrounding regions, offering stunning landscapes and a connection to the area’s rich history.
GETTIN THERE
To get to this multi-species trip, the boys took hwy 401 east, crossing over the Quebec border.
Next they took hwy 20 to hwy 30 and eventually got back on to hwy 20.
Then they turned south-east on hwy 85 which eventually turned into hwy 2, finally taking them to Fredericton, the capital city of New Brunswick.
This beautiful city straddles the Saint John River.
Along with access to great fishing, Fredericton also offers kayaking, rowing, canoeing, and stand-up paddleboarding on the river.
Plus, beaches, golf courses, gardens and trails combine to make Fredericton an ideal destination for outdoors enthusiasts.
‘The Green’ is a long park hugging the banks of the river, which the locals value for the breath of fresh air it provides in the heart of the city.
For those days away from the water you can enjoy museums, heritage sites, large Victorian homes, and the historic Garrison District.
Enjoy it as you discover new restaurants, city markets, and the highest concentration of craft breweries and tasting experiences in the Maritimes.
And finally if you want to combine your fishing trip with something really special, check out the Harvest Music Festival. Fredericton comes alive for six days each September as hundreds of world-class performers appear on dozens of stages, all conveniently located in Fredericton’s beautiful and historic downtown. Enjoy Cajun, electric blues, jazz, folk & funk… there’s something to tempt every musical taste. With so much to see and do, the city of Fredericton truly is the ultimate east coast experience!
New Brunswick Multi Species Hotspot, Fredericton
Since this episode had so many fishing locations, it made a single Hotspot hard to choose, so we decided on arguably the most unique New Brunswick species, the Largemouth Bass.
Largemouth have been documented in New Brunswick for decades, but it’s only recently that there’s been some extra interest, especially from those who cherish the already well established Smallmouth Bass fishery.
The Largemouth area that Steve fished is called Mactaquac Lake, AKA The Head Pond which is about a half hour drive west from the city of Fredericton.
This water body fishes very similarly to pretty much any other Largemouth Lake in Canada. Find the weeds, rocks, and wood, and you pretty much find the Bass.
Aside from the usual Largie soft plastic goodies, try squarebill crankbaits, spinnerbaits, twitchbaits, and topwaters.
For the waypoint to this Hotspot and more like this it, check out our HotSpots page
Depth: 1-10 Feet
Baits: Crankbaits, Spinnerbaits, Chatterbaits, Plastics
Presentation: Casting
Shallow diving crankbaits like Yo-Zuri’s 3DR-X Crank SR and the 3DB 1.5 Squarebill or a Spinnerbait like the MegaStrike StrikeBack are all perfect choices for NB Largemouth
CONCLUSION
Well there you have it, 5 different species of fish, in 5 unique locations, all situated on the Saint John River, just a stone’s throw from the vibrant maritime city of Fredericton.
After viewing this Fish’n Canada episode, reading this article, and of course for all of us that have fished this phenomenal place, we think we can all see why Fredericton New Brunswick and the mighty Saint John River are becoming such a popular fishing destination among anglers world wide.
Trust us when we say this, “It will not disappoint!”
SPECIAL THANKS
Explore NB https://tourismnewbrunswick.ca/
Fredericton Capital Region https://www.frederictoncapitalregion.ca/
Fishing Guide Pierre Oliver Blais, Clutch Angling on Facebook, ph: 250 334 7638
Minnow Tackle Shop https://minnowtackleshop.com/
