What gets you excited for the spring? Is it the warm sun touching your face for the first time in months? Smelling the newly exposed earth as the winter snow recedes? Or just the anticipation of knowing that sun kissed skin is right around corner? For me, there is one activity that has lodged itself in the back of  my mind over the cold and lonely winter – fishing!  And there is no better place to enjoy this favourite pastime than in my hometown of Fredericton, New Brunswick on the beautiful Saint John River!

The time is now. Spring has sprung! Early May fishing can be as blistering as the wind and river currents, but it is one of my favorite times of year to be outside embarking on new adventures at some proven fishing locations.  As spring gives way to summer, warming water temperatures, longer days and high-water levels; Smallmouth Bass are triggered by their instinct to move out of their deep wintering holes and push tight against shorelines that are normally exposed for most of the season, well above the water line. Trees, brushes and shrubs on the shoreline, normally high and dry are now the haven of your quarry. The Smallmouth Bass anticipating their spawn push to these warmer waters and seek not only refuge from predators but also ambush points to dart in and out of in attempts to fill their empty bellies after their long winter-feeding hiatus. 

With the sheer mass of the Saint John River where does one go to catch the Big Kuhuna?  Although the river stretches 127km from Fredericton to the Bay of Fundy, you do not need to go that far to catch a variety of species. From Carleton Park launch a short 400m southeast will bring you under the Bill Thorpe Walking Bridge, a well-known haven for Musky. Continue another 250 to 500m and you are at the mouth of the famous Nashwaak River. Everything under the sun has been caught in this zone, ranging from Sturgeon, Musky, Striped Bass, Yellow Perch, Atlantic Salmon, Smallmouth Bass, White Perch and much more. This zone is also a shore fishing heaven with easy access from both the north and south side of the Union Street bridge that spans across the rivers mouth.

Pro Tip

Some prefer the classic “bait and wait” approach and cast a weighted worm and hook to the deep ledges along the outer points. A short trip down the embankment on the south side of the bridge will bring you to a small cove opening with a sandy bottom that harbors schools of pre-pawn smallmouth bass and yellow perch.

Another great area of interest is a 6km boat ride west of the launch bringing you to the Garden Creek area, here you will find culverts leading to sand bars with isolated submerged boulders and weed clumps. Ideal conditions for any game fish to hide from the current and launch at any bait you present. This area is also very promising for shoreline angling, tossing a top water lure past the scattered weed lines and moving along the shore will surely conjure that addictive topwater bite. there is easy access off the Valley Trail as the southern shoreline continues west to Hartt Island RV Resort. This productive area has produced some real trophy Saint John River Sportfish including my personal best Smallmouth Bass weighing 5.03lbs, a Musky making its way into the 50” club and a 1.63lb Largemouth Bass (the first officially to be caught in Fredericton). There are also many great shore fishing spots along this route as well as a boat launch behind the Tim Hortons on Woodstock road. A quick google maps search will reveal these locations to you.

Pro Tip #2

There are many ways to entice early spring munchers. Here are a few techniques that I personally use.  The Jerk Bait is a tried-and-true method to draw out these still lethargic pre spawners. Used in a classic “twitch twitch pause” technique this bait can quickly locate these key fish by causing a reaction of their instincts to attack a wounded baitfish. When the water temp is still low, 45 to 55 degrees an almost agonizingly long pause will result in higher strike ratios and surprise you when your rod is almost jerked out of your hands by a massive strike as your bait sits almost motionless. This method allows you to cover a lot of water in search of “Wolf Packs”, once you locate an active pack of hungry bass you can slow down your approach and pick apart the zone with a slower “Finesse” technique.

Finesse Fishing

Finesse Fishing is using a downsized lure and a slower more methodical approach. Nothing screams finesse to me more than the “Ned Rig”, a simple 2.5 to 3” worm paired with a 1/8^th to ¼ ounce jig head. I could go on for days about different ways to fish this technique but the one that has stood the test of time is the “Drag, Twitch, Pause”. After a cast once the bait hits the bottom you begin a rhythm of dragging the bait along the bottom, stopping the bait for a few slight twitches and then pausing momentarily for a reaction. Rinse and repeat, once you catch a few you will know how they want it. Sometimes they will strike the bait before it even reaches the bottom, this is called “on the fall” and will reward you with nothing but pure joy. One thing to keep in mind is keeping the bait in contact with the bottom. If there is too much wind or current, try increasing the weight of your jig until you are maintaining bottom contact. Between these two techniques you will be sure to locate and catch Pre spawn Smallmouth Bass in 1 to 12 feet of water ranging up to and over 4lbs all within minutes of Downtown Fredericton.

Whether you are using your own proven methods, trying out something new or even tossing the old bobber and a worm there is one undeniable fact – the 2022 fishing season is upon us!  Frederictonians love fishing the bounty our gorgeous Saint John River blesses us with season after season. Just when you thought it could not get any better, all this magic happens in tidal water. A license is not required to fish these waters for residents or non-residents, that’s right come one come all. From within the heart of Fredericton the Saint John River offers world-class fishing from early spring to late fall whether it is from a boat, kayak or from shore and should be high on your bucket list of future fishing destinations. Fredericton has the species diversity and abundance of apex predators that will keep even the saltiest of anglers guessing what type of monster will take them for their next wild ride.

For information on booking a day adventure on the Saint John River visit Strike Back Sportfishing Adventures | As well, please remember to clean, drain and dry your boats and other recreational water equipment. The time is now, let’s fish!

You can rest and relax after a day on the river with one of our local accommodations, many are just a stones’ throw away from our local shores! Book your stay with 20+ Stay and Play Packages featured on our website and Dinner’s on Us!

Adam Foster of Charters Settlement, NB is a retired soldier, devoted husband, father of 2 and founder of Strike Back Sportfishing Adventures. His passion and devotion for fishing is endless whether its guiding, tournaments, video production or just a fun day of on the water.